Doberman with AIHA

[amy]

Every victory with this awful disease is to be celebrated! I am so thrilled to read this update. I know you are doing the very best you can for Louis and we are keeping you in our hearts and prayers. Thank you for the update. You are doing a great job!
Love Amy & Coal

[Sheena]

Just for info folks: The terms AIHA & IMHA are both used interchangably to describe this evil disease – IMHA is the more “modern” term, but professionals use both terms. No wonder we get confused!
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/aiha/

I was even more confused with Worzel as he had bone marrow failure, not strictly AIHA/IMHA – a slightly different scenario, but still grouped with the same disease. All our dogs have this disease, but some have a different form! Hope that helps. Very complicated – different dogs have different issues in their blood stream, or elsewhere. Anyone who has a dog with anaemia or a similar blood issue is very welcome on here, no matter what the vet calls it. Some dogs have platelet problems, some don’t. We are all in the same boat, floating along that steroid river Amy talks about so deftly!

Sheena xxxxx

[Linda]

Hi Kayrn. Is it not rediculous – our grin from a victory, however small (although, THIS has me grinning, HUGE!!), we are so dog-gone happy, we’re gitty! When Sadie’s PCV’s would go up, it darn well made my day – nothing could aggravate me, not even the horrible Tampa traffic. I know folks thought I was nuts. 😉

When will you go back to have another check? Okay Louie, keep on keeping on, okay?!

Love and hugs,

Linda and Sadie

[Karxlee]

Hi Linda,

Louis is back next Monday 12th April, of course if we feel he is going down hill then we can take him back whenever. He’s now become quite fussy with his food, so we are trying to mix his food a bit but baring in mind she terrible upset tummy.
I’ve checked his gums again and they seem a little paler, but I’m not going to panic because he was asleep when I did it.
I think he also picks up on our stress when we are upset. I need to remember that he is still seriously poorly, just because his PCV came in at 21% doesn’t mean he has turned the corner, but I do feel a little more relaxed about him.

It’s funny he will eat out of our hand but something not out of his bowl. I’m sure he is just doing it for attention, because he soon gets up when Olga (our other little dobie girl) comes for a cuddle, he becomes jealous. HAHA

It’s crazy when he shows the odd sign of stabilizing, the world seems a brighter place.

:)
Louis Mum

[Karxlee]

Oh I also forgot the mention that I’ve had to tell Louis’s Dad to stop expecting too much, he is worrying because Louis seems to be just sleeping all the time, and isn’t active and without stating the obvious, or saying “Not shit Sherlock” he needs to remember Louis is still trying to keep his PCV at a level that doesn’t mean he needs another transfusion!

Sometimes men are more trouble than the dogs!
haha

[Sheena]

Awwww Karyn

Your man is a lovely chap. You’re right though – staying positive & un-scared (is that a word???) is better because I truly believe they feed from out emotions – if Brigitte wasn’t away at the moment, I know that would be one of the first things she’s say to you.

Why not feed him by hand? Who cares when they are this poorly – as long as he is eating, that’s fine. A bit of spoiling doesn’t hurt.

At the beginning – the crisis stage which you have suffered much longer than most – every little sign of an improvement makes us relax that little bit. It doesn’t mean we are not watching like hawks, just slightly less frantic. It is really scary checking gums when they are asleep – don’t even go there – wait for some action so you don’t drive yourself bonkers. Remember that lovely spleen is a bag of blood, ready to be pumped out when needed, like a transfusion. When they are sleeping, that bag of blood is holding all the reserves, so no point even looking. Too scary for words.

And you are right – 21 PCV is out of danger – let’s all say whoopeeee for that!

Sleep is the most healing time – all the body mending that goes on whilst asleep is vital. Worzel has always been a good sleeper most of the day, but my goodness he slept a LOT more when he wasn’t too good. Quite normal in the circumstances, I think.

YOU need sleep too – and that nice guy of yours – get some rest – that’s an order!

Love Sheena & the sleepyheads xxxxx

[Karxlee]

Hubby is now at frantic mode because Louis has been sick and dosent want to eat or drink, I’ve tried to tell him to leave him alone and let’s see what tomorrow brings but he’s obsessed with trying to make him eat and drink. I get that he cannot afford to loose much weight ke looks skin and bones now, but the boy has got a rotten upset tummy and him stressing isn’t going to help him.
I don’t know what it is but I’m not worrying too much about him not eating, lets see what tomorrow brings.
Sheena you’re so right about sleeping being the best thing, we took him for a walk round the block and when he got back I checked his chops and I saw pink! He loved it as well getting out for 5mins he’s always been a stress head of a dog and gets depressed very easy, so if he wants to go for a walk then we’ll take him.
Anyway I’ll update again tomorrow,

Nan night x

[Sheena]

Karyn

Don’t get too stressed just yet, but bear in mind you don’t want him to throw up his medications as he needs them badly – contact the vet tomorrow if this carries on & they will be able to help. He needs to drink because of possible dehydration with the pred though. If he gets dehydrated they can infuse him if it’s really worrying, so no problem!

There are anti-nausea drugs such as Cerenia that will help if he needs it. I wonder if the ring worm med (I know you have stopped it – good on your vet) has really upset him with sickness too. Does he still have diarrhoea? If so, a check for a tummy bug would be a good idea, just in case something is going on.

Pink chops – lovely jubbly! Sounds good & I know you are keeping a close watch. Try to “ignore” the muscle & weight loss for now – it’s really common & I promise it will improve when you can eventually lower the prednisolone. It is a life saver, but is catabolic big time, hence the muscle atrophy. Worzel was a terrible mess, but recovered really well with lowering the pred.

Phone me day or night if you are worried.

Much love & big cuddles
Sheena & the boys xxxxx