Aspirin has been stopped for Molly

Keymaster

Hi Leza

We are also from the UK – we lived about 20 mins outside Oxford & moved to France in 2007, so I know exactly what you are saying. Fellow Blighty’s then! I think it depends on your relationship with your vet as to getting the results without specifically asking – we were very lucky that our vets were superb where we used to live, BUT goodness before that, I’ve had some not so good ones over there too. In my opinion, you should be entitled to any test results – you have paid for them, so they really do belong to you – I’m sure you could very politely insist on copies. I do remember being shown some in the past over there, but not being given a copy unless I asked. Anyway, you can get round that little problem, I’m sure.

We would really like to see any test results, especially any blood tests & pathology slides/smears – it would help us to help you. I had never heard of this awful IMHA until Worzel was diagnosed & had to do a lot of research & learn as much as I could as I wanted to know EXACTLY what I was dealing with. Some of the lovely people on this site helped me through that very bad situation & now it is my turn to help, I hope. Regarding the anti-clotting meds (again!), if you are unsure about anything, we can help if we could see those results in full. I know you will be forceful if you need to be – you will look after Molly, I have no doubt.

The UK does not have such a high incidence of IMHA as in other countries, probably because we don’t have so many tick borne diseases at the moment. But they do exist & no doubt it will get worse with global warming, animals travelling more, more vaccinations etc. This also means that vets don’t have the experience of seeing & treating the disease either – that’s no disrespect to them at all. It’s very rare, full stop. Your vets have done a really great job getting her through the first stages & hopefully will be open to suggestions too.

As Patrice mentioned, we are very interested in Molly eating snails – this definitely could be a trigger. I remember before I left the UK, that many more cases of something called lungworm (also called French heartworm – not to be confused with another type of heartworm we have here) were being reported in dogs, which is extremely dangerous. This worm is sometimes found on slug, snails & their slime & can cause blood abnormalities – has she had a recent cough at all? Some dogs can be infected, but have no symptoms. One of the several blood problems lungworm can cause includes hypochromic anaemia (which means pale coloured red cells with a low count) &/or bleeding problems. A possibility. Worth testing for maybe? – here’s some info:
http://en.wikivet.net/Angiostrongylosis
http://www.dfordog.co.uk/article-be-lungworm-aware.html

Last boring question bit – what antibiotics is Molly on & what for? That might give us a clue as to the cause too.

It’s wonderful to hear Molly is eating well – you will have to give her more food – my greedy boy was always ravenous on the pred too. Feed me, feed me NOW! I always feel happier when they get their appetite back & want to be a little more active. She is doing really well, Leza.

Let us know how you get on tomorrow – sending loads of hugs from me & my boys
Sheena, Worzel & Ollie xxxxx

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