AIHA or IMHA

willowchow

My vet told me I could bathe her, but no groomers.

too much potential of transmitting disease probably -- from the "List of things you CAN NOT do with your immune-suppressed dog!"  *sigh*

Yes, that and the stress of being there.  She was afraid it might cause a setback.

calliecritturs

sl2crmeg

I would say no bath -- toooo stressful, even if she does enjoy it.

I didn't however, say to give her a blue mohawk or gel the hair to stand straight up on her back and head tho -- so don't let Pirate's *dad* anywhere near her *laughing* (running swiftly away before I get smacked HARD)

LOLOLOL. Pirate looks *cool* no matter what you say :) David's just a little uptight!

*I* like Pirate's blue mowhawk -- David is ... *grin* yeah, a little uptight.  (Why does him saying the words "let's have a little decorum here" spring to mind?? LOL)

 GratefulDawg; I'm so glad Cyclops is doing better. There are some others here such as whtsthefrequency who are more qualified to comment on the liver values, but I think the ALT going down is a bigger deal than the ALP going up; ALP is affected by so many things and I think vets pay more attention to the ALT. I know it's a big burden for you to afford the cyclosporine and really admire your decision. Good luck with the TCVM.

binderxtine

I just found this site while doing some research on this IMHA disease. I am so happy I found it! 

any updates?  hope you're doing ok.

Didn't read the whole thread... do you need cyclosporine? I can see what I have from after Snickers died and pm you.

Good luck.

 Glad to get to say hi to Snickers owner.  I read the Snickers thread on Dec 15th and didn't know a thing about IMHA.  I read from the start to the end and was heartbroken.  But reading about you and Snickers really helped me know what i was in store for and what the possible outcome is. 

I truly have a hard time with these threads about IMHA now... still can't handle hearing others' stories even now, it brings back the roller coaster. Retrospectively, I wish I hadn't fought so hard, put her through so much, or spent to much, but hindsight is 20/20. I makes me feel guilty and I think that I was not ready to let her go so I didn't for a long time... I needed her selfishly. Honestly, if I have the diagnosis again, I will never go to those lengths, it is a hideous, hideous disease and I feel for all dogs and their families who have to deal with it.

Let me know if I can do anything... pm me if you need feedback or have questions I can help with, I avoid these threads sometimes :)

 I don't blame you for avoiding the threads.  In fact the reason I didn't contact you by PM last month was that I just didn't want to stir up the memories for you.  Believe me.. I have weighted everything in the most thoughtful way I know how.  I had a vet tell me on Christmas Eve to euthanize my dog.  But seeing she was in no pain and feeling that I hadn't given the drugs time to kick in, I opted for the 2nd Transfusion. 

Every other vet except the one I spoke of has not given me any sign that treating Clops is wrong.  My med student and her teacher were very optimistic about a recovery.  But I know things can go wrong at any time.  

 You did the best you could do at the time.  Reading your thread now - it is easy to pick a point and say it should have ended there.  But with the ups and downs how do you know for sure when?  Its not like other things where it is a painful downward slope with no hope at all.  This disease is cruel in that it offers hope and then snatches it away again.  

Its been since Christmas Eve since I've been at a Decision day.  Its been pretty positive since then.  Today she is not her normal self but she seems very happy and not in any pain.  I keep wondering how much of her attitude today is because of her anemia and how much is just feeling however cyclosporine makes you feel.. or some combination of the two.

I will certainly add you to my favorites and contact you by PM from now on.  I just want you to know that your experience has given me a lot of information and I am sure other people too.  Thats why I'm documenting here as you did.. in hopes that what Cyclops is going through and the decisions (medical and financial) that I'm making might help others make decisions too.

 Hello Everyone!

 Please excuse my delay in response. I am very new to this whole forum thing and I just forget about it. 

 GratefulDawg, I am so sorry to hear that your little one is going through this issue but happy that they are doing better. My little girl was diagnosed on Dec. 13th. So right around the same time as yours and a day before my birthday. 

 Lily is doing much better. Her PCV was 26 the last time that we checked. Her liver function is great and there were no signs of damage from the pred. The Dr. did say that he blood work showed that her immune system was not suppressed enough and that there were still damaged RBC's so she is still on 40mg of pred a day. The meds are making her pee like a racehorse and she is having atleast 3 accidents in the house a day. It is hard to not be angry at her but I am trying really hard to make sure that I hold in my anger because I know that the meds are messing with her body. 

 I hope that everyone is doing well and that all their little babies are happy and healthy!

Holly

Forgot about the forum!!!???  Well, you obviously have some sort of life, weird. LOL and just kidding.

  So glad to hear that Lily is doing well.  Thanks for updating.

HOORAY!!!

 Holly -

Great to hear from you.  So glad to hear your doggy is doing well.  I know what you mean about the pred.  My dog had only one accident and it was because I overslept.. 

Best wishes to you

Sudden Onset of Arthritis - Lameness - Extreme.

Last night Cyclops out of nowhere had a severe limp.  The doctors at OSU thought she had arthritis although I never witnessed any pain myself.  I gave her 50mg of Tramadol which seemed to have an immediate effect.  This morning she still seemed ok but then suddenly couldn't walk at all.  I've had to bring her food to her and carry her outside to pee.  I can stand her up and she can stay up long enough to pee, then I bring her back in.  I've given her more Tramadol today but no improvement.  

The weather here in Arkansas never usually gets as cold as it is right now.  Yesterday and today both in the single digits.  Although the house is toasty warm and I've kept it warmer than normal today and kept her in a blanket.  

I'm not sure if this is really arthritis or some sort of infection due to her low immune system.  Once again I'm really worried.  About 13 hours until her appointment with the vet.  Hopefully if it is arthritis doing accupuncture will help.  What a time for this to develope on top of everything else.  

I guess I am hoping that its "just" arthritis and not an infection or reaction to the cyclosporine.  The weather is suppose to break on Saturday and get up into the 50's.  Maybe that will help.