Sadie – Relapse….again. – Page 5 – Second Chance AIHA Dogs

Linda

Guest

Hi all. Thank you for your well wishes and loving thoughts. I tell fur parents almost daily that AIHA/IMHA is a roller coaster – and to hang in there. I can tell you first hand, it is definitely a roller coaster and we are hanging in. I keep saying, this disease CAN be beat. It CAN and we will beat it, again.

In 2 1/2 years, onset and two other relapses, her PCV has never gone below 21%, and all three times she collapsed. Her other two relapses were rallied by prednisone alone in a short time period.

Not this time. Sadie went to Blue Pearl on Monday, July 13th in the wee hours of the morning with a PCV of 13%. She was immediately put on a loading dose of Atopica of 75mg daily and 45mg of prednisone daily. She was put on two antibiotics, Baytril and Minocycline. She is on Plavix (anti clotting), Prilosec (tummy), Denamarin and Ursodiol (both for liver). She received two packed red blood cell transfusions.

In the ICU and after the second transfusion, Sadie rallied to 30% on Wednesday night and by Wednesday night, dropped to 25%. Through the night, she dropped again to 24% and by mid-day Thurseday, was maintaining the 24%. They said Sadie could come home. Since home on Thursday, Sadie has dropped her PCV by one lousy point every day: 24%, 23%, and yesterday, 22%. Hummmm….

And for the first time, she is NOT wanting to take any medication at all, spitting it out AND she gets very perturbed with me for insisting. But somehow, the meds go down and for a few minutes she is not my best friend. Then, she’s over it, and we’re buddies again. :)

Besides the onset of AIHA in March of 2013, Sadie has now had three relapses. Today, I am so very thankful to be able to look at her precious face and since Thursday, to have her home with me.

Through this ordeal and dealing with the acute, ICU vets and their ‘usual protocol’ – I am again challenged to be heard. Please, I can tell you from my recent own experience, stand up for your pup and insist being listened to and considered. In the 2 1/2 of Sadie’s AIHA, I am again finding these (incredible, smart and knowledgeable, but leary) educated vets are having a hard time stepping out of their ‘protocol’ box. Stand your ground.
I will too.

We go for another PCV in a few hours, just to be safe. I will definitely let you know – as soon as back from vet and getting the PCV. Upward and onward!

Love and hugs,

Linda and Sadie

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