AIHA-Just Diagnosed

[admin]

Oh Wendy, I am so thrilled to read this. You must be over the moon! What a difference a day makes, eh? I know you are still running that marathon, but this is a heck of a good start!
I’m sorry Mama Bear is feeling left out. Isn’t it funny how perceptive they are? When I brought Molly home from hospital, she was so sick and I was worried Mable would pounce at her and want to play. Mable just came up and sniffed her. She knew 100% her sister was poorly and didn’t bother her at all. They know and sense an awful lot more than we give them credit for.
Bless you for taking Frank in and caring for him. He has certainly been through a lot, and I think Sheena made a really valid point about him previously suffering parvo and a possible impact on the immune system.
Anyway, really wonderful news Wendy. Give that boy a big cuddle from us.

Mary and Mable x

[Susie]

Oh goodness Wendy, This is amazingly good news!!!!
I’m so relieved to hear of his improvement. It seems to me like a dramatic increase. Wow Frankie boy! You are rather awesome, aren’t you!?
Keep up the great work mom!
I just realized I posted my last note to you on Emily’s thread. See, Wendy, I told you I’m not so bright!

♡ Susie and Emily

[Wendy Gonzalez]

I am very happy but I am always cautious that things could go wrong. This is such a scary ride. One moment I am elated and the next I am scared that anything will hurt him. I also keep reading about AIHA/IMHA ( I need to stop) and it just scares me of all of the things that could happen.

I just know that we are not in the clear and that freaks me out.

But we won a small battle yesterday. My baby boy is fighting and that makes me happy. I just wish that I wouldn’t have to wake up every morning since this all started (9 days ago) with this feeling of anxiety and desperation that I can only do so much for him.

I also talked to the vet, who was very happy with his progress, that if he does pull through that he will not get any vaccines. I asked her about Heartguard preventitive and she said that we could go ahead and give him that….but he has been doing so good that I really want to hold off on giving him anything that could make his body go crazy. My mommy instinct says no, do not give him the heartguard. Should I follow that instinct?

Big hugs,

Frank, Brandy, Chris, and Wendy
“The Gonzalez-Borg Pack”

[Trish]

Wendy, so glad to hear Frank is doing better! I am concerned about the Heartguard too, my dogs were both due for theirs this week, and I told my husband to hold off giving Max his, it just seemed to me that we shouldn’t do it while he is fighting IMHA, so am curious to know what everyone’s input is on that too. I definitely feel you on the up/down…I want to celebrate every positive thing, but in the back of my mind, there is still worry. :) I guess it’s only natural, until they are totally in the clear. But so glad you are able to rejoice in his recent victory. You’re a great mom to him!

[admin]

Hi Wendy (and Trish). This IS scary. We all deal with this dilemma of should or shouldn’t on all the ‘guards’ – you are not alone. I lost sleep over this one. But, living in FL and the abundance of mosquittos, it was not really a choice. Sadie would never survive heart worms, and if she did, the medicines needed and the long duration of recovery – well, the con’s of not taking it were too strong.

But, what I do, and Dr. Dodds promotes this and where I got the information, is to give Sadie TriHeart Plus (which is the one I use, no idea if one is better than the other, in reality) every 45 days instead of every 30 days. I constantly test Sadie for heart worms, every profile, and so far, negative.

I hope this helps. Keep those numbers coming up Frank. You’re doing GREAT!!!

Love and hugs, Linda and Sadie

[Vally]

Wendy and Trish, as Linda said, Dr Dodds has a protocol about heartworm protection. I’ve put the link in here for you to have a look at.

http://drjeandoddspethealthresource.tumblr.com/post/46289883129/dodds-heartworm-preventives#.VbLoTfmqqko

I think I would probably send a quick note to Dr Dodds about it though and get her opinion especially whilst they’re both still on high dose pred.

Love Vally & Bingo
xxx

[admin]

I feel so sorry for you having this awful heartworm problem over there. Please all read Dr Dodds link carefully – she stresses how important it is to be careful with these treatments with our IMHA babies. I agree with Vally – checking with Dr Dodds about giving it or not whilst they are on high doses of immuno-suppressants is the safest way. I have a feeling she will say not to give it yet. I would never give anything like that without her say-so, especially when PCVs & blood tests are not normal yet. When you get them into remission, you can use her protocol by all means. Nothing is easy with this damn disease! I was told by my specialist here not to Frontline Worzel until he was in normal levels. I think if you read the instruction leaflets with any treatments, it will tell you never to use it on a sick animal.

And Wendy – Linda is right. There is no reason why any dog or cat should have a relapse if you follow the weaning rules – don’t even think about relapses, or you will drive yourself crazy.

Loads of love
Sheena & the boys xxxxx

[admin]

Hi Wendy

Completely understand you feeling nervous, and maybe it is time to give yourself a little break from reading about IMHA. We all need them sometimes. Actually, I think your boy has won a big victory. I know that he is not out of the woods, and it is still very frightening, but to see that PCV start to go up really is good news. Sheena is right, that you will drive yourself nuts with all the “what ifs?” so I vote that you enjoy this success, and keep a close eye on Frank – their behaviour tells you as their owner an awful lot.

Please keep us posted as and when you can. We are all rooting for you.

Mary and Mable x