Sunny

[Tamara]

Maura, thinking of you and Sunny and sending much love and many hugs. I know this is so difficult and so scary. You are doing such a great job caring for Sunny though. Just keep doing what you’re doing, getting her to take fluids with a baby med syringe if you have one or can get one, maybe she will eat a tiny bit of food if you put it in her mouth? Something very yummy? As Brigitte said our dogs are usually not in pain, but very tired and weak, especially after a difficult reaction to transfusion. We are with you.
tamara and ashki xoxox

[maura]

To ALL the great people on this site
We have been home with Sunny all day. Her breathing seems heavy at times, some snorts (which are really scary ) and other times more peaceful but not normal. She can not stand to go potty so we held her up and she fell over again. She has been drinking off the spoon until a few hour ago. Tell me this : has a dog come round after this serious of a condition. I think her little fur baby body is giving out.
I will keep you posted. Just knowing this site is here is helpful.
–Love
Maura & Sunny

[admin]

Hi Maura

I can’t give you figures, but YES, dogs can recover from clots with anti-coagulant therapy, just like people do. I worked on a heart ward for about 5 months & we had many people with blood clots that recovered really well. Dispersing them is the trick. And preventing further clotting too.

The heavy breathing & panting I also think is the prednisone & the anemia (lack of oxygen) & maybe the after effects of the suspected mini-clot. If she suddenly is in more distress, go straight to the vet. I lay beside Worzel with my hand on his chest for many nights when he was at his lowest ebb, listening for any change in respiration.It is not a nice experience for you at all, but I know you are watching Sunny very carefully. The weakness is due to the same things & many of us have experienced this falling over & being very wobbly. It will pass when her PCV goes up & the pred comes down.

I need to go to bed soon – I will be thinking of you & I know everyone on here will be looking out for your messages. You are doing such a great job of caring for your Sunny girl.

Hugs & love, Sheena & the boys xxxx

[admin]

Hi Maura,
yes for sure dogs have recovered from this even if it got as bad as it is with Sunny now. Lynda mentioned that once DIC has set in it is hard to reverse and she is right. Once you get that diagnosis your hope would be slim. The hard thing with this disease is, you just never know. I have heard cases that did not sound that bad and the dog died. Others where it seemed completely hopeless and the dog pulled through. This is why I always say, where there is life there is hope!
If you are successful spoon or syringe feeding, I would maybe try to make some broth from chicken and give that a go.
Thinking of you and Miss Sunshine, with best wishes,
Brigitte

[admin]

Dear Maura

I am sorry to read that things are still so very difficult but I am sure it is good to have Sunny home with you. As others have said, I would be surprised if they had sent her home with DIC.

I know only too well the feeling that you will never know when enough is enough. People told me this and I couldn’t understand it, but in the end I did know. Yes, there are guidelines on the internet about when to consider euthanasia, but I believe it is very dependent on the individual animal. The other difficulty with this disease is that recovery is possible, which can make that decision all the more dreadful. To that end, nobody can tell you when that time has come, but from having experienced it myself, I firmly believe that when you have a deep love for an animal, you will instinctively know when it is time to stop. Lynda wrote some very wise words about looking into her eyes and opening your heart to hear what Sunny wants. My advice to you would be that until you are sure, do not give up. If that time comes, you really will know.

Sending lots of love and positive thoughts your way.

Mary and Mable x

[Vally]

Dear Maura, the syringe is a great idea for water and broth. If you do broth, make sure there’s no onion (and I don’t use any salt in Bingo’s food). I ask for syringes (no needles) at the pharmacy and they are usually very cheap. Otherwise you can buy the baby syringes. That will be a lot easier than a spoon because as Sheena said you can slip it in the side of her mouth and press the water in slowly. I still do this with Bingo when I give him his meds to make sure he swallows them.

Lots of love, hugs and prayers for you all.
Vally & Bingo

[admin]

It’s morning again here, and I woke thinking about you, Maura and Sunny. I do hope she is still fighting. As Mary said, this vile disease is so unpredictable – recovery is possible, but it is very difficult for their little bodies to cope with the disease and the treatment. We have to do our very best to help them.
And to underline something else Mary said: if you get to the point of the decision, you WILL know – forget guidelines: it will be your love for Sunny that guides you.
Lots of love coming your way

Lynda

[admin]

Hi Maura

Just to say I’ve been thinking about you too. How is your sunshine girl doing? Brigitte & Vally’s broth in a syringe or baby feeder ideas are brilliant. I have no doubt whatsoever that you will make the right decisions – Mary & Lynda are right – no-one knows your dear Sunny as well as you do & your instincts will tell you. There was a time when I wondered if Worzel had had enough & couldn’t take any more treatment. I even thought was I being cruel? I was quite upset with some of the comments from people who saw how ill he was. The lovely people on here reassured me that every single dog gets worse before they get better. That is true, I’m afraid. You have to give Sunny every chance to recover & it takes time. Patrice will tell you that is why she set up this site – a second chance for dogs & cats with AIHA.

Sending love & cuddles
Sheena xxx