Please Help Me Understand-Sudden Death of Dog

Becky · 03-26-2008, 07:39 AM

My dog died Monday from IMHA. I am devastated and do not understand even though I havae talked to vets, studied informtion on net and books. Please help me. Sat. noticed black stools--I wrongly thought that the aspirin she was taking might have caused bleeding. Vet said to give her Pepto Bismol but I didn't. Easter Sunday vet came in because she had pale gums, spots on her chest--her hemo. was on low end. Brought her back next AM at 7:30 for blood work. Vet took blood gave her more clotting medicine--I was to come back at noon for more treatment after blood work came in About 11 she drank a lot of water then threw up the medicine he had given her--blood in vomit. Back to vets but too late--she had started profuse internal bleeding and died 20 minutes later. Dear God--I am dying--About three weeks before her death, she was doctored for arthritis, yeast infection of ear, and asthma (which had suddenly gotten worse). Were these conditions signs of this disease? Should the vet have caught it at this time? Please help me understand. I thought I was taking care of her. She was just six years old and I am devastated. Please help me understand. I know--I can't remember for sure because I was worried but on one of those times I took her to vet, I know he checked her gums. Does this disease come on this suddenly or was the arthritis, asthma, and yeast infections symptoms of the disease that I missed and could have saved her life if I had picked up on them? Thank you anyone who can shed some light.

borzoimom · 03-26-2008, 07:47 AM

Do you mean Immune mediated hemoletic anemia?

Renoman · 03-26-2008, 07:49 AM

I'm so sorry for your loss.

gills · 03-26-2008, 07:57 AM

I am so very sorry - how devastating. I'm afraid I know nothing about the disease, but I would like to know more too.

Becky · 03-26-2008, 08:00 AM

Yes, it is that kind of anemia. I forgot to add when I took her in on Monday, her gums were still ok--not any worse than the night before and he was pleased that she was still pretty active. Four hours later she bled to death. I asked the vets why they didn't give her steroids on Sunday when they suspected this disease. They said until they have blood work back they can't take a chance on doctoring her for something they are only guessing. I don't see where the steroids could havae hurt her no matter what. But wht I am so upset about was that I had her in to the vets three times in the last three weeks for various things--they should have done bloodwork--would they have caught it then? Thank you again.

borzoimom · 03-26-2008, 08:03 AM

I am going on the post your made and the symptoms you posted that is what you mean here with the acrynom.
Let me say first of all- as I read your post, also reading between the lines, I hear that you are blaming yourself here a bit. Blaming yourself for not doing what the vet told you to do at the start of this. I want to assure you that this disease moves fast, shows up quickly, and very hard to catch at first. Secondly - by the time it can be diagnosed, for what my word is worth, there would not have been anything your vet could have done- OR you.. My mother had a few cavaliers that had this disease, and by the time it shows up, the platlets change so fast, there is nothing you can do. Its like a car crash in motion.
I am sorry for your loss. Please do not blame yourself, nor would I blame the vet. I know that is very hard and the shock must be the most awful part of this. Rest assured your baby is in a better place, and hold the fondest of memories in your heart. Not that dreadful day- the fond memories of the times before this happened.
In my thoughts and prayers..

Quote:

Originally Posted by Becky

Yes, it is that kind of anemia. I forgot to add when I took her in on Monday, her gums were still ok--not any worse than the night before and he was pleased that she was still pretty active. Four hours later she bled to death. I asked the vets why they didn't give her steroids on Sunday when they suspected this disease. They said until they have blood work back they can't take a chance on doctoring her for something they are only guessing. I don't see where the steroids could havae hurt her no matter what. But wht I am so upset about was that I had her in to the vets three times in the last three weeks for various things--they should have done bloodwork--would they have caught it then? Thank you again.

Becky- please do not blame yourself. When the immune system crashes, it goes so fast. And even if caught at the first sign, the results would have been the same- best case scenio only giving you a few more days- but the results the same.. {{{hugs}}}

Becky · 03-26-2008, 08:06 AM

Yes, it is that kind of anemia. I forgot to add when I took her in on Monday, her gums were still ok--not any worse than the night before and he was pleased that she was still pretty active. Four hours later she bled to death. I asked the vets why they didn't give her steroids on Sunday when they suspected this disease. They said until they have blood work back they can't take a chance on doctoring her for something they are only guessing. I don't see where the steroids could havae hurt her no matter what. But wht I am so upset about was that I had her in to the vets three times in the last three weeks for various things--they should have done bloodwork--would they have caught it then? Thank you again.

borzoimom · 03-26-2008, 08:11 AM

Becky- there is nothing they could have done. Diagnosis is hard to reach, but still- it would not have changed it. And the questions you are asking yourself are the same ones my parents asked themselves. And after time found out the same information I am telling you now. Its like a car crash- it happens fast with almost no recourse.

And this memory of mine, and understanding of this disease is one of the big reasons obviously I do what I can in my power to protect the immune system in my dogs. Even then- not even sure if that would have changed anything anyway.
BTW- good post and hopefully others can learn about this condition as well.

Becky · 03-26-2008, 08:21 AM

Thank you Borziomom,
I have to leave now but I am going to come back. I will start a separate post with a couple pieces of info. that might be helpful to everyone. First, the vet at the University said it was avery common disease. Second, my doctor who has a very busy practice says he sees about six cases a year. I thiink that is a lot. Also, I will lok it up on the net, but they have just come out with a test now that can show if your dog has signs of th disease. Shouldn't vets post this stuff in their office like Heartguard. Which leads me to another train of thouht--I administered Frontline on he 20th . Shedied on 24th. I will come back later. This is the worse I have ever felt in my life and I have lost many members of my family, but this seems to hurt worse. Thank you.

borzoimom · 03-26-2008, 08:25 AM

Well as far as why don't vets test for this like they would a heart worm test is that usually other signs are present to give an indication to doing any tests for this. ( like auto immune thyroid problems, blood clotting problems etc).
I am glad your vet has had experience with this. That also should assure your mind just how fast this can happen. At least your vet is experienced with this. Not all vets are..

Becky · 03-26-2008, 08:26 AM

Borzoimom,

Thank you again. What things do you do to help your dog's immune system. My dog was never outside in the elements. She got fed the best feed. But we didn't catch her ear infection --the vets said this was probably not what caused it but I can't help but wonder. I am such a mess. Please don't hold anything back--I want to know the truth. Thank you again.

gills · 03-26-2008, 08:27 AM

Becky, I don't know if you have seen this link but it confirms what Borzoimom says - there was nothing you could have done to save her.

http://www.vetinfo4dogs.com/dimha.ht...lytic%20anemia

The vet says there are some genetic predispositions, and a lot of "maybe's". As he tells this grieving lady,

Quote:

I often wish that making the right decisions would guarantee the right outcome, but that just isn't something that happens all the time in veterinary medicine. You did well for Indy Anna and you should not worry that you did not do enough. It is extraordinarily hard to lose a friend when there is no clear explanation of what happened.

Again, I am so very, very sorry.

Becky · 03-26-2008, 08:29 AM

I'm not sure I understand your answer to why don't vets test for this? What are the other signs of this disease that I should have caught? I see now that a six and half year old healthy dog should not have gone from being a hyper insane maniac to an old lady in such a short period of time. In November I had her hip xrayed and they found a "slight" bit of arthritis. I just thought it was getting worse. Now I know it wasn't arthritis but weakness. I just think they should have done blood work sooner. I am just insane so thank you for trying to help.

borzoimom · 03-26-2008, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Becky

Borzoimom,

Thank you again. What things do you do to help your dog's immune system. My dog was never outside in the elements. She got fed the best feed. But we didn't catch her ear infection --the vets said this was probably not what caused it but I can't help but wonder. I am such a mess. Please don't hold anything back--I want to know the truth. Thank you again.

Honey- an ear infection did not cause this.. I know you are reeling in grief and gentle hugs- but really there is nothing you could have done. Even with all the added preventions to suppport the immune system, once it shows up it would not have changed the outcome.
Take a look at Dr. Dodds information on shot proticals, and immune support research. The use of or not use of certain vaccines, etc. However- as I said- once it shows up, ..

Becky · 03-26-2008, 08:43 AM

Thank you Gills for the link and Borziomom for your information and everyone for your sympathy. I hope you don't mind if I come back with more questions. I have to leave for a while but still have questions. My vet talked to me a lot but I know there is a limit. Looking back I can see that I went to the vet a lot--that should have been a clue. We started her on vitamins and that gluco stuff for arthritis in November, but everything just got worse. Her name was Libbie and she was a dorky beagle-terrior.

Laurelin · 03-26-2008, 09:05 AM

I'm so sorry about Libbie. I know how painful it can be to lose a seemingly healthy young dog so fast. Only last year we lost an eleven month old pup and we still don't know what happened. It's hard not to blame yourself, but the truth is that sometimes there are things going on that you can't possibly pick up on. It takes a lot of consoling to come to terms with the fact that there was really nothing you could have done. It never makes the grieving any easier, though.

((hugs))