Bull Arab X 7 years old with AIHA / blood transfusion

[Vally]

Lizzy, read Louis’ blog – it’s wonderful and will make you laugh.

Bingo’s problem was more chronic, so he didn’t crash as such, but he ended up at the specialists hospital for 10 days after my local vets had given up, not knowing what was wrong. He had bone marrow failure and was non-regenerative.

Yes, Sheena, suspiciously, the hospital also now has a new wing, and a brand new MRI.

I learned to play the credit card game, where I was moving the debt from one card to another to give me interest free or low interest payment periods to be able to pay HIS debt off. I keep telling him, he needs to get a job as he owes me BIG TIME.

Lots of love Lizzy,
Vally & Bingo
xxx

[Vally]

And here she is…

 

[Vally]

Had a message from Lizzy.

LIZZY

They’re investigating what is causing her AIHA. Her platelets are so low they couldn’t be registered so she is at very high risk of internal haemorrhage. They suspect she may have a mast cell tumour on her side. Cyst has been aspirated and sent for testing.

Also doing an ultrasound. She has had one transfusion today (over night) and so far as of 4.30pm they have remained stable at 23%. Better than last time. I’m not holding a lot of hope for her at the moment. It’s very hard. hard being away from her while she goes through all of this.

VALLY:

I know its so hard when you know they’re in hospital. Bleeding risk, that’s why she’s better there for now. Cell tumours are I THINK cut out so don’t freak too much about that.

LIZZY:

They won’t do any operating at all if they find anything as her platelets are too low. The specialist said it can take around 5 days for the platelets to regenerate to a safe level.

The treatment is to just work on getting the RBCs to a safe level before we tackle anything else. She remains on prednisone, stomach protectant and anti nausea medications. Has been taken off azathioprine as that can further halter platelet production.

VALLY:

Yes Azathioprine does that. I’d like to see her on the cyclosporine though. No mention of a second drug?

LIZZY

Not as of yet. I feel very confident in the specialist. He doesn’t have high hopes for Lola but at least I know she’s in the safest hands. He said he wouldn’t give us a percentage of her survival because he doesn’t know as he wants to find out what is causing it as it’s very rare for a dog to experience AIHA in Autumn. He said he is not ruling out hope for a recovery but that she is one of the more serious cases.

VALLY

Hang in there Lizzy. Dr Jean Dodds has told us, where there’s life, there’s hope. She’s still fighting.

 

LIZZY:

This is Lola looking sad when I had to wash her big bed and she wanted to look as pathetic as possible by trying to lie on a cushion.

 

[jill]

Hi Lizzy, just read about Lola,im sure you have done the right thing with her, these Specialist will help her much more than any normal vet, you have done all you can for her now, I hope the only phone call you get will be one of improvement.sending you a huge hug,xxx It does take time for everything to work once they are stable and on the medication, you should see steady but small improvement over a period of time, ive learnt that nothing happens quickly and we have to be patient.And I know I was ready to sell my car ect as we havent got pet insurance ,anything to keep my lovely boy a live because he is one of the family, please stay strong and you might be surprised at how she starts improving for you, thinking of you, loads of love Jill & Snoops xx

[jill]

Sorry Valley hadn’t seen your message from Lizzy till I sent my one, xxx im praying for Lola, keep up the fight never give up hope , love Jill & Snoops xxx

[Vally]

Both posting at the same time Jill

Xxx

[Sheena]

Hi Lizzy

She’s absolutely adorable – no wonder you fell in love with her!

The specialists are on track now – finding the cause is so vitally important & most mast cell tumours can be removed – they are “staged” or graded by severity, but as you say, surgery is not an option until she is stable.

It sounds like the transfusion is lasting a bit better this time – at least that is something positive. I hate leaving my dogs at the vets for any reason – I really feel for you being separated from her & I know it’s a long way for you – not easy at all.

I’m so sorry they haven’t got better news for you just yet – please let us know as soon as you find out what you are dealing with in the way of cyst/mast cell tumour etc – praying it’s something easy to get rid of. The vets will be able to give you more of an idea of what can be done when they find out exactly what it is.

Sending love & MASSIVE hugs Lizzy
Sheena xxxxx

[jill]

Hi again Lizzy what
a lovely girl, shes georgous! xxxx