sassy is relapsing.

[Brigitte]

Alyssa,
your vet sounds like a very compassionate man, that is exactly what you need when dealing with this disease. He has no ego problems and is not afraid to ask other vets when he does not know. Maybe you could ask him to consult with Dr. Dodds at hemopet? I remember we did that and I never regretted it. It was a question of driving 4-5 hours including a 1 1/2 ferry ride to Vancouver to see an emergency vet or specialist or consult with a specialist. I suggested consulting with Dr. Dodds. My vet was exited about that option and she was in awe after talking to her. She said she is quite the woman and that she learned a lot. Not every vet is willing to do that but I could see yours being open to it. I think they were on the phone for at least an hour and of course I got billed for that, but it was well worth it. I figured it was better that my vet talked to her than me, since English is not my mother tongue and at that point I knew much less about this disease and all the terms that go with it.
I remember being physically and mentally at a very low point when my dog was fighting AIHA. I totally understand that. But I can tell you that Sassy is not the first dog that has dealt with a relapse and came back just as they did the first time. You did such a great job the first time, you can do this again. Again it is a rollercoaster, again there is no quick fix. Please stay positive and tell Sassy that she has you (and all of us here) in her corner! Tell her to keep wagging her tail!
Love and best wishes,
Brigitte

[Vally]

Alyssa, your vet does sound fabulous. Waiting to hear how she goes.

Vally & Bingo
xxx

[Patrice]

Alyssa,
Babesiosis is the tick disease I wanted you to test for using the SNAP 4DX+. Tell me what state and county you live in and I can tell you if this disease is found in your area (as contracted by being bitten by a tick).
my best patrice

[alyssa]

Patrice, I’m in hot springs Arkansas. Sand sassy is a pit, and he told me they are more likely to get it.

[Patrice]

Alyssa,
Please read all this information CAREFULLY.
https://sites.google.com/site/tickbornediseaseindogs/babesiosis

This is related to human disease in Arkansas, but the tick picture is here, indicating Babesiosis.
http://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programsServices/infectiousDisease/zoonoticDisease/TickborneDisease/Pages/CommonTicks.aspx

my best patrice

[Sheena]

Hi Alyssa

Glad to hear your vet is trying so hard – it sounds like you are in great hands.

Sheena xxxxx

[Alyssa]

Had a horrible night. Sassy started crashing around 3AM, her pee went dark again and we had to do an emergency transfusion at 8. She was at 14%, and not handling it well at all… i thought she was going to die at any minute :(

She really does have zero platelets. 2 other machines read ‘1’ today.

she had a transfusion, and we tried a shot of vincristine. i was told this may shock the bone marrow into an immediately release of platletes.

my vet also sent off for a pcr on Babesiosis just to be sure,but the pathologist didn’t see it on the slide.

the vet is going to go in for us friday (new years) for a test, and have a dog on standby for transfusion if needed.

it’s very bad this time guys. the transfusion helped, but i don’t know. it might not be stopped this time and im broken :(

i was suggested an autoimmune specialist 3 hours away that can do an ivig treatment… which is $2,000 and i dont think she’d really survive the ride. and it’s so much money. so much.

[Alyssa]

what is weird is that her whites were only 24. yes it is high, but the last time they shot up to 60.