mbc1963 Posted November 18, 2015 Report Share Posted November 18, 2015 My sister lost her old dog about 4 years ago, and she got two puppies that summer. One of the girls was fine on Sunday, and lethargic on Monday, and deathly ill yesterday. She's at the emergency vet clinic, diagnosed with IMHA, and a very grave prognosis. Has anyone ever had a dog with this disease and a positive outcome? The disease is horrible, and the treatment is expensive and damaging in itself. After losing my Buddy last February, I felt like we were going to have a long run of young and healthy dog time together between my new girl and my sister's two dogs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maralynn Posted November 18, 2015 Report Share Posted November 18, 2015 Oh my. I'm so sorry you're going through this. Yes, I do know a dog with a positive outcome. A Border Collie belonging to one of my SAR team mates. He spent a week at Purdue University altogether and looked pretty bad for the first 3-4 days. Couldn't stand, wouldn't eat, barely acknowledged when his owner came to visit. It took a few months to get back to fairly normal but he then went on and recertified as a disaster SAR dog. He's about 9 now and still working. I think he's still on a super low dose of prednisone. And they avoid using heartworm preventative and flea/tick spot ons. Maybe no more vaccines either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliepoudrier Posted November 18, 2015 Report Share Posted November 18, 2015 Have they checked thoroughly for tick-borne diseases? Some can mimic IMHA and most vets don't think to check. If it's a TBD it's certainly treatable. In fact, I'd almost be inclined to ask my vet to just do a course of doxycycline to see if it makes a difference. J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbc1963 Posted November 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2015 They have run blood tests for tick-borne stuff - around here (NE), our first thought with almost any illness is Lyme disease, because it's so prevalent. They said the tests came back negative for TBD, but they started the dog on doxycycline anyway, just in case. Also has had two blood transfusions and was stable as of this morning. Not sure how today went. So weird. This can be triggered by eating a penny (zinc poisoning), onions... so many toxins... and then by apparently nothing at all. (My guess is doctors say "idiopathic" when it's been triggered by something they don't understand.) Thanks Mara for a good story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alfreda Posted November 18, 2015 Report Share Posted November 18, 2015 mbc1963 -so sorry! I hope your sister's dog has a good outcome like the one Maralynn relates! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aschlemm Posted November 19, 2015 Report Share Posted November 19, 2015 I work as a Vet Tech and for a while we had a run on autoimmune diseases. You certainly can have a chance at a good outcome but I would closely monitor that dog forever after (checking gum color every day.) No vaccines and limit any chemical exposure. Also watch the sibling. It seems to run in families. It's great they are giving the doxy anyway, certainly can't hurt. Good luck. Praying for a good outcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chan Posted November 19, 2015 Report Share Posted November 19, 2015 I also know of a good outcome. A friend's cocker spaniel had it. She spent several days at UT Vet school and ran up quite a bill but is still perky at age 12 now. I think it's been about 5 or 6 years since she was ill. Best wishes for a positive outcome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbc1963 Posted November 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2015 My sister's dog was doing a little better this morning at the animal hospital, but my sister got a call this afternoon that she'd had a downturn and was dying. They're driving to the vet now to have her PTS. Such a crazy, fast thing! Thanks all for the information. I'm better educated, if nothing else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urge to herd Posted November 19, 2015 Report Share Posted November 19, 2015 So sorry to read this, Mary. My condolences to your sister and her family. Ruth and Gibbs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GentleLake Posted November 20, 2015 Report Share Posted November 20, 2015 So sad. Please give your sister my condolences. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gcv-border Posted November 20, 2015 Report Share Posted November 20, 2015 Very sorry to hear this. My sincere condolences to your sister and her family (you too as I am sure you will feel the loss too.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TxMom Posted November 20, 2015 Report Share Posted November 20, 2015 I'm so sorry. Please pass on my condolences as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz P Posted November 20, 2015 Report Share Posted November 20, 2015 Because this is such a serious condition and can deteriorate so quickly, most vets will start treatment for IMHA and tick disease at the same time. You just don't have the luxury of waiting for test results or to try out different treatments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliepoudrier Posted November 20, 2015 Report Share Posted November 20, 2015 I'm sorry that she didn't rally. My condolences to your sister's family. J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maralynn Posted November 20, 2015 Report Share Posted November 20, 2015 I'm so sorry to hear this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz P Posted November 20, 2015 Report Share Posted November 20, 2015 Yuck. I am sorry. I am also sorry that for some reason my other reply came in so late. I had posted that before you did the update. Not sure what the delay was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShoresDog Posted November 21, 2015 Report Share Posted November 21, 2015 I'm so sorry to hear that your sister's dog went downhill so fast. It's a hard loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Journey Posted November 21, 2015 Report Share Posted November 21, 2015 Oh, I'm so sorry Mary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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