Guest KennelMom Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 (edited) 1/12 PM: After a heartfelt talk with her doctor, we decided it was time to let Harmony be at peace. She fought bravely and with all she had, but her body was just not strong enough to beat whatever was making her sick. After 5 days of treatment, Harmony was not making any new red blood cells and she was shredding any that were transfused to her. Today, her tail stopped wagging and we all agreed that a third transfusion would just be delaying the inevitable. They will be doing a post-mortem exam and trying to figure out what took our baby. Hopefully we will get some answers...if for no other reason then to help them help the next dog that comes in with symptoms like hers. I will post a follow up if we get any definitive answers. Thank you all so much for all the support and prayers over the last week. We will post a rememberance thread when we are able. I think Ken and I are still numb and in disbelief that Harmony won't be coming home 1/12 AM: just heard from the doctor. the news is not good. her pcv has dropped down to 17. kidney values are getting worse. She is not making any of her own red blood cells and Dr. Presley says that she's starting to feel really bad. We're heading to the hospital now with very heavy hearts. 1/11 PM: The on call doc just called with a positive report...FINALLY! Harmony's PCV value has held steady at 20-21% all day, which means she hasn't shredded through the red blood cells from her second transfusion, like she did with the first. So, while she hasn't improved per se, she hasn't gotten worse. And I'm counting that as GOOD news through tears of joy. They are prepared to give her a third transfusion, but she hasn't needed it. Please God, let Harmony have turned the corner...let her start to improve! She hasn't wanted to eat, but the poor girl has been through so much and she's on so much medication. She's still wagging that tail. Update: 1/11 The On Call doctor just called. The fluid in Harmony's belly has been re-absorbed, which is good. However, her PCV has dropped to 21% this morning from 24% last night after her transfusion (normal for greyhounds is 55-65). She's also a little bit more jaundiced today, as her bilirubin is up. Her kidney values have gone up, probably either because she's slightly dehydrated (they've increased fluids) or the treatments are just taking their toll on her kidneys. But, her spirits are still up and she trotted out for her morning potty break. The doctor said she anticipates Harmony will need another (third) transfusion today, but they will monitor her bloodwork and call if they feel they need to do a transfusion. A third transfusion will give the meds another day to start turning things around for her. In a nutshell: Harmony seems to be continuing to decline despite everyone's best efforts. Her body is just shredding through any red blood cells in her body. Update 1.10 I'm heading to Birmingham shortly to pick up a few adoption hounds...Ken is staying here in case something happens with Harmony. I'll probably be gone when the doctor calls with an update this morning, so just keep those prayers coming and I'll update things as soon as I can. Ken will probably update our website, but may not update the GT thread. Second update 1/9: I spoke to Dr. Vilar at OSU and our vet will fax them everything they have. Hopefully they will be able to provide some insight. Dr. Vilar was wonderful and I got a call back from him in less than 2 hours from sending my original email and within an hour of leaving a message. Amazing to have such an incredible resource for our greys. So, now we are in a holding pattern until Dr. Vilar has a chance to review her info and our primary vet here gives them a call to discuss. Hopefully we will know something or have an idea of the best way to move forward this afternoon. Update 1/9:Just spoke to Harmony's doctor and she has taken a turn for the worse. She's vomitted and her PCV has dropped to 20%. I just emailed Dr. Couto to see if he can/will do a consult. They are switching up some of her meds and adding another immunosuppressant to try to keep her from killing her RBCs. Update 1/8:The doc just called and said Harmony ate a little bit, but not much. She seems to be enjoying the belly rubs from the staff, but you can tell she's not feeling well. Her PCV is 28%, so it's holding steady from last night when it ws 27%. Her protein is low, so they're trying to figure out why she's losing protein. They'll get a first-pee catch this morning. Her platelets are low, but not totally in the toilet. He's still treating for IMHA and TBD, but b/c of the protein loss he's not sure that's really what it is. Update:OK, I'm finally home and have the dogs and the humans fed. What a long day! Spent quite a bit of time with the internal medicine doc. He's a new one for us - though we've worked with several of the doctors at Upstate and they have an excellent staff there. I really liked him and he was very knowledgeable about greyhounds, tick disease and even talked at length with me over my concerns with prednisone. Anyhoo...she's on supportive care for the anemia while the docs try to figure out what is causing the anemia. The options are: 1) Tick Disease. The blood has been sent off to NC State and they've begun treatment as a 'just in case.' 2) Cancer or other internal disease process. She had a chest and abdominal xray as well as ultrasound, and while her spleen looks slightly enlarged and a bit angry, the doc does not believe we are looking at cancer 3) Auto-Immune. This would be the least desirable, as treatment can be tricky and dogs can be unresponsive to it. I can't believe I'm actually hoping for a TBD, but of the three options it's probably the most treatable. Thank you to everyone for your thoughts, advice and prayers...Pam, I got swamped today but I WILL call you! Harmony is staying at the vet tonight and they should have the report from the pathologist at NC State tomorrow...the tick panel will take a bit longer. She may come home depending on how she's responding to treatment and the outcome of more bloodwork and the pathology report. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Harmony skipped two meals in the last two days and sloooooowly ate her breakfast this morning. She's also seemed a little off and being lazy. With the rain and bad weather, we almost thought it might just be a little thing she was going thing she was going through, but this morning her gums were very pale. Off to the vet first thing this morning. Her bloodwork was very alarming, with PCV value of 23. Her last bloodwork over a year ago was wnl at 59. So, she's at our vet right now because the specialist can't take her until 2:30 and with her PCV so low, our vet was concerned she might crash, though she seems to be handling things pretty well at this point. Preliminary diagnosisis Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia with an underlying cause of babeseosis (possibly). They will start treating her at Upstate Vet Hospital here where she can have access to specialists and 24/7 care. Please pray for her. I'm very scared and was not expecting anything this severe when I took her in this morning. Goes to show a very sick dog doesn't necessarily have to look sick and I should always listen to my mommy radar when one of my pups is off, even just a little. Any advice, thoughts, experience is also welcome. If you've been through this before anything you can share will help me greatly...I'm leaving here soon to transport her to the other vet, but will be checking in on my phone. Edited January 12, 2009 by KennelMom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jiffer Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Sending loads of prayers and white light. Jennifer and Beamish (an unnamed Irish-born Racer) DOB: October 30, 2011 Forever and always missing my "Vowels", Icarus, Atlas, Orion, Uber, and Miss Echo, and Mojito. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurie Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 {{{{Heather}}}} Sending prayers for sweet Harmony. Laurie **& Angels Emily, Beatrice, Okie, Rhemus ,Vixen, and Rose-always in my heart** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LBass Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Sending good healing thoughts to your Harmony. Upstate Veterinary has done a good job each of the "too many" times I've needed to use them so she should be in good hands. --Lucy Lucy with Greyhound Nate and OSH Tinker. With loving memories of MoMo (FTH Chyna Moon), Spirit, Miles the slinky kitty (OSH), Piper "The Perfect" (Oneco Chaplin), Winston, Yoda, Hector, and Claire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Che_mar_Cody Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 She's so precious Our thought & prayers are with you today. :hope Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burpdog Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Sending lots of prayers. Hopefully they can treat her for babesia quickly if that is what it is. Erlichia can cause the same. Diane & The Senior Gang Burpdog Biscuits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest PiagetsMom Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Sending many good thoughts your way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giadog Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Wow, that sounds scary, but it also sounds like she'll be in good hands. Sending healing energy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greytmonty Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Sending healing thoughts for Harmony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovinggreysslp Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Sending positive prayers for Harmony. I do so agree that our pups can be very ill sometimes without our seeing clear physical signs. Cosmo (Fuzz Face Cosmos), Holmes (He's a Dream), Boomer (USS Baby Boomer), Ella and missing our angels Clay (Red Clay), Train (Nite Train), Trip (Bock's Teddy Bear),Larry (Bohemian Frigid) and Jimmy (Bohemian Raw) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaliforniaGreys Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Lots of prayers coming from us too Missing my little Misty who took a huge piece of my heart with her on 5/2/09, and Ekko, on 6/28/12 For the sick, the lost, and the homeless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickiesmom Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Sending prayers for Harmony. So good she is somewhere with 24/7 care. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greythopes Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Sending prayers. Thank God you listened to your instinct, and thought to check her gums. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinM Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Many healing prayers for Melody and hugs for you. ROBIN ~ Mom to: Beau Think It Aint, Chloe JC Allthewayhome, Teddy ICU Drunk Sailor, Elsie N Fracine , Ollie RG's Travertine, Ponch A's Jupiter~ Yoshi, Zoobie & Belle, the kitties. Waiting at the bridge Angel Polli Bohemian Ocean , Rocky, Blue,Sasha & Zoobie & Bobbi Greyhound Angels Adoption (GAA) The Lexus Project Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest goofydog Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Lots of good thoughts for Harmony. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grey14me Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 tons of prayers for Harmony :hope Michelle...forever missing her girls, Holly 5/22/99-9/13/10 and Bailey 8/1/93-7/11/05 Religion is the smile on a dog...Edie Brickell Wag more, bark less :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Sending prayers. Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tenderhearts Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazehund Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 No advice, thoughts or experience Heather. Many, many prayers for Harmony. Please keep us posted as you know more. :hope :hope Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houndtime Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Someone on the GAA board has a two year old aussie with the same issue and the dog has been having transfusions for a week. I hope this works for you and you can read the thread. http://greyhoundangels.proboards84.com/ind...amp;thread=4588 Irene Ullmann w/Flying Odin and Mama Mia in Lower Delaware Angels Brandy, John E, American Idol, Paul, Fuzzy and Shine Handcrafted Greyhound and Custom Clocks http://www.houndtime.com Zoom Doggies-Racing Coats for Racing Greyhounds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2hounds Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Oh no! I hope you can get it all figured out and she feels better real soon! 2 Hounds Design Martingale Collars | 2 Hounds Design Facebook PageAlisha, Bob, Livvie (the 2.5 year old!) plus Mia Bella, Tippy, + Wahoo and Diesel the crazy kitties (and missing sweet Iceman, Paradise, Bandit, Cujo & Sebastian) in Indian Trail, NC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LoveMyJoseyBean Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Prayers, hugs and good thoughts from out West! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubcitypam Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 (edited) Heather I sent you a PM with my # to call but you must have signed off at that moment. I have been there. If anyone can call Heather and let me PM them my # to give her let me know via PM. Edited January 7, 2009 by Hubcitypam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kaotic1 Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 My heart just dropped, Jordan had this. They never found the cause(they suspected cancer). She became VERY sick VERY FAST. You have all the prayers I can give you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Vinnie Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Adding our voices to the prayers and chants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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