Dog diagnosed with IMHA

[angela]

Our dog jade, an 11yr old cocker spaniel was diagnosed with Imha in October, 5 wks after receiving a immunization for parvo. Our vet was very quick to diagnose as her blood count was 14, and we were told her best chances at life were to take her to the veterinary college in Pei about 4hrs away.
We arrived there and jade was admitted to ICU where she spent 4 days, she became very sick. Developing an ulcer which resulted in vomited and diarrhea of blood. She received several blood transfusions. In this time they ruled out cancer with xrays and MRI. She was on too many meds to remember, most given through iv. After 4 days we decided to bring her home to live, or die.
Currently she has been doing well. She is on 75mg of cyclosprine and 15mg of prednisone daily. She also receives 8mg of aspirin in the morning and again at night to prevent blood clots. We also started making her own food. Jade is checked reqularly and her blood count is in the hugh 30s. However the past couple days I noticed a change in her appearance. Right sided paralysis, or signs of stroke. The vet isn’t for sure but feels that its vestibular disease and\or Horner’s syndrome. The next few days will be touch and go again as she’s feeling miserable. We could take her back to the university but the cost we have accumulated over the past several months is monumental.

[Sheena]

Hi Angela & Jade

I will start a new topic for you tomorrow when I am more awake – I’m in France, so it’s late for me!

For tonight, doggy strokes are not like us humans get & most dogs make a complete recovery after a few weeks of what looks like a lot of distress – which is actually extreme dizziness.

One of my previous dogs had this & I thought it was really dreadful to watch -loss of balance, throwing up (I would throw up if I was that dizzy!) but 3 or 4 weeks later he was back to his old self. Most dogs get back to normal, but some are left with a slight head tilt, which is not a problem at all. One common symptom is rapid side to side eye movement, called nystagmus. It is disturbing to see. In my dog’s case it started the day after he collapsed, then he was sick everywhere & just kept falling over. Have you seen anything like thus with Jade?

Cocker Spaneiels have a predisposition to Horner’s Syndrome. One of our moderators, Linda, has a dog called Sadie, also a Cocker, who developed Horner’s. She is away at the moment, but I will tell her about you. Sadie is sometimes unable to close her eye properly & her mouth was a bit dribbly if I remember rightly – she will tell you more than I can.

Either way, neither of these things are anything to panic about as they are both treatable. Your local vet should be able to do this for you, but maybe need to work more on the diagnostics.

Hope this puts your mind at rest a little.
Best wishes
Sheena, Worzel & Ollie

[Vally]

Angela, here’s your new post address for Jade:

https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/forums/topic/jade-the-cocker-spaniel/

[angela]

Hi Sheena
Jade fell over yesterday afternoon and did a lot of shaking, and continues the shaking today. She is also doing alot of panting today. She vomited everything she ate yesterday and has no appetite today. I’m not sure if her lack of appetite has to do with feeling dizzy\sick or because her mouth on the right side has such a droop making it difficult to eat.
I’ve been more concerned with getting her meds into her. I don’t see a rapid eye movement but her head keeps turning to the right alot, after doing some reading she’s definitely got the signs of the vestibular disease.
All blood work came back yesterday looking good. Her red blood cells were up and her white cells were looking good. No signs of an underlying infection.
I am awaiting a call from our vet to see if there’s anything they can give her for the dizziness and nausea. Thanks so much for responding
Angela

[Linda]

Hi Eric and Torrie. Just wanted to check in. I have even in and out so much lately. This is all so great to read!!!!!

I hope all is going well with Torrie still AND with that precious new upcoming baby too.

Eric, you did an awesome job here as a fur dad. You’re going to be an extra awesome human dad!!!!

Sending love and hugs,

Linda and Sadie

[Eric]

Hello,
I created an updated post because I couldn’t remember my login and didn’t see this one until just now. Could you delete it or combine them so there is less confusion?

Thank you,
Eric