New to this disease

[Vally]

Darlene, I’m so very very sorry. This disease is just so cruel. It hits so suddenly and sometimes it just won’t be beaten, no matter how hard we try.

I have no doubt your Maggie is running free and happy, worrying about you of course and her brother, but full of all her energy again, greeting old friends, making new.

It’s way too early, but when you feel up to it, there is a page on the site written by one of the ladies. It will help but maybe now is not the time yet as it may be too soon, but this is the link:
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/the-bridge

Cuddle your other boy, he’ll be lost too. Take time to grieve. Don’t have any expectations. I lost my Bingo over 2 years ago now, after surviving the disease, but I still cry over him, I still can’t watch any of his videos, but I can laugh at his photos.

Please take care of yourself. Come back and chat any time you want.

Vally
xxx

[Nina C]

Hi

My dog was recently diagnosed with IMHA. Leo is a 6 year old purebred toy Pomeranian. He weighs 6lbs.

He was taken to the emergency vet on 6/7/19 and received his blood transfusion at midnight when his red blood levels reached 10%. I discharged him on 6/9/19 with his levels at 23%.

On 6/11/19 his levels were at 21% and I am bringing him in on Friday to see if any improvement.

Currently his medications are: Methylprednisolone and cyclosporine. He is also taking cerenia, doxycycline and clopidogrel.

His CBC and imaging shows no signs of this being secondary AIHA.

I am reading so much of bad news however, I would like to hear some more positive statistics and hope. My vet told me the number of deaths in this disease counts if the owner could not afford it and put their dog down.

I read Bingo’s story and am really delighted to hear he is doing well. Leo is my entire world and I would do anything to help him get better. Any support/hope/advice would help me. I live in Boston, MA. If anyone has any specialists I should see, although my doctor right now is excellent.

Feel free to email me as well if you want to chat about it. I want to hear your story.

[Vally]

Hi Nina and Leo and welcome. Wow Leo you are a little one.

Nina, you did the most important thing and that was to react quickly. The quicker the drugs are started, the best chance our dogs have.

It’s not unusual at all for bloods to drop after a transfusion because the transfusion is only there to buy time for the drugs to work.

I also remember reading only bad news when Bingo was diagnosed and I was forever grateful in having found a site with people experiencing the disease. That site has closed, but Patrice started this site to help.

Bingo was 7 when diagnosed and he lived to enjoy many more years, staying in remission. In fact, as he relapsed a couple of times, it was decided to keep him on a very low dose of prednisone for his life.

The notes you’ve sent through explain the drugs very well. You can also use the AIHA Terms which is a glossary of all the terms you will likely come across:
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/aiha_terms
for example, prednisone
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/prednisone
or transfusion:
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/transfusion

Ask anything at all.

If you’d like a chart for the drugs, let me know.

Vally (angel Bingo) and Saba

[Vally]

This is Leo

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[Vally]

and what a handsome boy he is !!!