AIHA-Just Diagnosed

[Wendy Gonzalez]

Thank you, Sheena for the information. I will be calling the vet today to request Thyroxine. I believe I requested it a long time ago, but she didn’t want to give it to me. I will make sure to request it now.

I think I will have to be taking in Frank because he just had a nose bleed. Is this normal? Have you seen this before in any of your dogs? He just came in from using the restroom and I noticed a lot of blood coming out of his nose.

I am trying to be hopeful, but in all honesty it scares the heck out of me.

Frank’s mom

[admin]

Hi Wendy

I agree with the others – it is not the time to start reducing Frank’s meds. You are right that it can take a while for them to get back to a normal PCV, and it often seems to slow down a bit when it gets nearer to being normal. I think you should definitely start Thyroxine and Denamarin.
First of all, don’t think about the E word. If it is bone marrow related, there is no more reason to have Frank in hospital than if it is “standard” AIHA. It all depends on how he is and how he is managing. That said, I am concerned about the nose bleed and I think you do need to take him in right away just to make sure it isn’t anything serious. Can you remind me if Frank is on aspirin or plavix? He should not be bleeding from his nose and I think this needs to be checked out by a vet immediately.

Please keep us posted when you can. Will be thinking of you both.

Mary and Mable x

[Wendy Gonzalez]

I called the vet to set up an appointment for the nose bleed. She is now telling me that this is beyond her expertise and would like to refer me out to UC Davis (we had a bad experience with them) or Pet Care Santa Rosa. However, we no longer have the money to continue fighting this disease and neither one of us wants to make that call. We love our dog but can’t afford it any longer.

I feel like such a terrible mother…we don’t know what to do.

[admin]

Wendy I am really, really worried. Please get Frank’s platelets checked immediately. I mentioned I thought he has Evans syndrome which mean low platelets as well. This is an EMERGENCY. I am sending you an emergency treatment protocol for DIC by e-mail right now. Please take it with you. Frank may need a platelet transfusion.
Love & a big hug
Sheena x

[admin]

Wendy

Please listen to Sheena and get Frank in to a vet right away. Sheena knows her stuff and does not say this lightly. As above, I am also concerned about this bleeding from the nose. You are not a terrible mother – my goodness. Many people would have given up a long time ago. The sad reality is that this is a hugely expensive disease to treat and finances are a very real factor. All I can say is don’t make a decision at this point. I speak as someone who made the “E” decision for my dear cat and it is of course heartbreaking, but it is not a decision to be made in the middle of an emergency, unless there are no other options. It is a decision to be made when you are able to think rationally about what is best for Frank, and for you and your family.
Have you been consulting with Dr Dodds? I believe she is out of contact on Saturdays but it might be worth getting in touch.
Please get Frank to a vet and take the DIC protocol that Sheena sent you.

Much love,

Mary and Mable x

[Wendy Gonzalez]

Thank you ladies. I have set up an appointment and we will be heading out shortly to my job to get the attachment that Sheena sent me printed out. I have also requested that my vet consult with Dr. Dodds. I will be letting her know once more once I get their to the office. I will keep everyone updated.

[admin]

Wendy, I made a donation to Frank today. It is not much, but it will help toward today’s vet bills. I posted it to FaceBook (which I detest, actually) in hope you will receive more.

PLEASE listen to Sheena and do as she is telling you to do. She absolutely knows what she is talking about. Trust me, I did not at one point and it almost cost Sadie her life. Actually, I think it’s the reason that to this day, Sadie keeps relapsing. I am the one that says SLOW, SLOW WEAN. I am also the meany that says, LISTEN to Sheena – because I know, she is totally on target. Please, Frank can make it but you must listen to what we are saying here.

You can get the milk thistle and SAM-e at any health food store. Neither are expensive. It will help so much with his liver. But later, I recommend ordering the Denamarin (I buy Sadie’s from Amazon, no prescription needed). Buy it today, okay?!!! Just go by his weight and what the dosage is on the bottle – guesstamate the dose. It’s not rocket science. If I can do it, I KNOW you can do it! ;)

Will you please let us know how it goes at the vet? That you got his platelets checked and the outcome? And please, please, please – stay with us. You are a WONDERFUL mom to Frank. Please don’t ever, ever think other wise. You have already done so much. Your love for him is incredible. But just a bit more – follow Sheena’s directions. You must stay totally focused on this, okay? Mary is right, people don’t get this disease. This is just a battle in this stinking war. And Frank can win. Okay? Let’s work through this – please don’t give up.

Love and huge hang-in-there hugs, Linda

[admin]

Hi Wendy

I’m so happy (and very relieved) that things are going in the right direction after this big scare. Just thinking staph lives in noses very happily – maybe that’s what caused the nosebleed. The antibiotics will get rid of the infection, but you need to keep a close eye on him in case it comes back after the antibiotics are finished. That doesn’t usually happen, but it can because are dogs are so suppressed with all the drugs that they need to get them better.

You really are doing great, Wendy. I know you’ve got exactly what you needed from the vets now – onwards & upwards, please Frank! Your Mum wants a higher PCV next time – so do we.

Love Sheena xxxxx