Rickiesmom Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 (edited) After a great deal of time and blood work in the last days, negative ultrasound and chest rads followed by a repeat of the ultrasound to be really sure no cancer was visible, Jeff has been diagnosed with IMHA. He's in a specialty hospital and the Internal med vet has him on Pred, Imuran and a low dose of aspirin to offset the risk of clots due to the Pred and Imuran. He's also on doxy and they are waiting for a tick panel to come back (I asked them to ensure Babesia was included and they added something else on which I can't recall). Internal med vet is greyhound knowledgeable and recognized right away that the "normal" RBC was low for a greyhound. His marrow is regenerating at 4% vs, normal 1%, trying to keep up with the red blood cell destruction. At this point the prognosis is 50/50, mainly due to the risk of clotting. If they can get this under control, then he will come home on those drugs, and will be monitored and gradually tapered down over 9 months. If all goes well he may then be fine, or he may relapse. At this point I just want him to get through the week. I asked about cause, and as I understand it, while they understand the process of what is happening, it is almost impossible to identify the trigger. Edited September 26, 2015 by Rickiesmom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robinw Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 Geez, I hope they can find a treatable cause. Quote Xavi the galgo and Peter the cat. Missing Iker the galgo ?-Feb.9/19, Treasure (USS Treasure) April 12/01-May 6/13, Phoenix (Hallo Top Son) Dec.14/99-June 4/11 and Loca (Reko Swahili) Oct.9/95 - June 1/09, Allen the boss cat, died late November, 2021, age 19. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4My2Greys Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 I'm sorry to hear this, Mary. I hope it can be controlled with the medication. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
45MPHK9 Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 Thinking good thoughts for Jeff. Quote Tricia with Kyle, our senior mutt dog Always missing Murray Maldives, Bee Wiseman, River, Hopper, Kaia, and Holly Oaks Holly“You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.“ -Bob Dylan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeylasMom Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 I'm so sorry. Very glad you at least know what's going on and are getting treatment. Lots and lost of good thoughts that he pulls through and is home with you soon I had no idea what this was btw so had to look it up. I'm sure you're already doing a ton of research but I came across this detailed article so figured I might as well post the link in case you haven't yet seen it. http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?A=1390 Quote Jen, CPDT-KA with Zuri, lab in a greyhound suit, Violet, formerly known as Faith, Skye, the permanent puppy, Cisco, resident cat, and my baby girl Neyla, forever in my heart "The great thing about science is that you're free to disagree with it, but you'll be wrong." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickiesmom Posted September 23, 2015 Author Share Posted September 23, 2015 You're right - I am reading up on it, and I will read the article you found tomorrow morning when my mind is less like mush. One thing I learned through this - if Bilirubin is high but liver enzymes are normal, look elsewhere for the problem, it isn't the liver. A factoid to store away in case ever needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeylasMom Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 So was his skin actually discolored like you thought? Makes sense if anemia is the problem that it would have been. (Also to be filed away) Quote Jen, CPDT-KA with Zuri, lab in a greyhound suit, Violet, formerly known as Faith, Skye, the permanent puppy, Cisco, resident cat, and my baby girl Neyla, forever in my heart "The great thing about science is that you're free to disagree with it, but you'll be wrong." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickiesmom Posted September 23, 2015 Author Share Posted September 23, 2015 Yes. As recently as yesterday morning it was still light and the vet didn't think there was an issue - he thought because Jeff's skin (like all greyhounds) is so thin, that he was just seeing the musculature. But today it was much bluer, and there was no question something was going on. His RBC is within the lab normal ranges, but low for a greyhound (I have to request the labs, I haven't seen the values). His clotting factors are still OK, though I get the sense that is something they will be monitoring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teri_d Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 Thoughts and prayers with you and Jeff. Sounds like he is in great hands - hugs to you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFullHouse Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 Praying the meds work and he can come home soon. Quote Judy, mom to Darth Vader, Bandita, And Angel Forever in our hearts, DeeYoGee, Dani, Emmy, Andy, Heart, Saint, Valentino, Arrow, Gee, Bebe, Jilly Bean, Bullitt, Pistol, Junior, Sammie, Joey, Gizmo, Do Bee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 Oh boy--I have traveled down that path before. Your vet is following the same protocol we did (OSU). Hugs to you and Jeff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 Sending best thoughts for your boy. Quote 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...
Charlies_Dad Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 Good thoughts for your boy. Quote Kyle with Stewie ('Super C Ledoux, Super C Sampson x Sing It Blondie) and forever missing my three angels, Jack ('Roy Jack', Greys Flambeau x Miss Cobblepot) and Charlie ('CTR Midas Touch', Leo's Midas x Hallo Argentina) and Shelby ('Shari's Hooty', Flying Viper x Shari Carusi) running free across the bridge. Gus an coinnich sinn a'rithist my boys and little girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greytpups Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 Mary, I'm so sorry Jeff got this dx. I was really hoping nothing serious was wrong with him. Sending lots of white light and hope that this is treatable. Quote Jan with precious pups Emmy (Stormin J Flag) and Simon (Nitro Si) and Abbey Field. Missing my angels: Bailey Buffetbobleclair 11/11/98-17/12/09; Ben Task Rapid Wave 5/5/02-2/11/15; Brooke Glo's Destroyer 7/09/06-21/06/16 and Katie Crazykatiebug 12/11/06 -21/08/21. My blog about grief The reality is that you will grieve forever. You will not get over the loss of a loved one; you will learn to live with it. You will rebuild yourself around the loss you have suffered. You will be whole again but you will never be the same. Nor should you be the same, nor would you want to. ― Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galgrey Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 Sending healing thoughts and for you. Quote Cynthia, & Cristiano, galgoAlways in my heart: Frostman Newdawn Frost, Keno Jet Action & Chloe (NGA racing name unknown), Irys (galgo), Hannah (weim), Cruz (galgo), & Carly CW Your Charming Princess http://www.greyhound-data.com/d?i=1018857 "It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life, gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are." -- Unknown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LazyBlaze Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 Keeping everything crossed for your boy Jeff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiveRoooooers Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 I am familiar with this road you are on. for you and Jeff. Quote Old Dogs are the Best Dogs. Thank you, campers. Current enrollees: Punkin. AnnIE Oooh M, Ebbie, HollyBeeBop (Betty Crocker). Angels: Pal . Segugio. Sorella (TPGIT). LadyBug. Zeke-aroni. MiMi Sizzle Pants. Gracie. Seamie . (Foster)Sweet. Andy. PaddyALVIN!Mayhem. Bosco. Bruno. Dottie B. Trevor Double-Heart. Bea. Cletus, KLTO. Aiden 1-4. Upon reflection, our lives are often referenced in parts defined by the all-too-short lives of our dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeylasMom Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 How is Jeff today? Any updates from the vet? Quote Jen, CPDT-KA with Zuri, lab in a greyhound suit, Violet, formerly known as Faith, Skye, the permanent puppy, Cisco, resident cat, and my baby girl Neyla, forever in my heart "The great thing about science is that you're free to disagree with it, but you'll be wrong." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubcitypam Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 (edited) It was still called Vaccine Associated Hemolytic Anemia when my first grey, Little Girl had it. Hugs to you and Jeff. You're in my thoughts. Edited September 23, 2015 by Hubcitypam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickiesmom Posted September 23, 2015 Author Share Posted September 23, 2015 I just got back from the hospital. His red blood cell count is down 7% which the internal med vet said was to be expected until they have the disease under control. The TBD results that are back so far are all negative. They said he had a good night. We went for a walk and he peed an ocean - he's on fluids - had mushy dark orange poop, but no blood or mucus chunks, so that's good (he didn't before either - this was something they asked about when I got back). I brought some of his own food and some treats. Happy to eat treats, ate some food with a few crushed cheese bunnies mixed in. I left everything there plus a can of green tripe. Will probably go back this evening and will bring other temptations along - and I'll keep changing them to maintain interest. He slept a lot of the time I was there. I just petted him, massaged very, very lightly, and rubbed his tummy. The treatment area is busy during the day and it sounded like they are doing renovations upstairs, which added to the noise. They have a few low-walled 3-sided enclosures for larger dogs and he's in one of those, so he has lots of space, and they piled up a bunch of those white fleecy pads so he has some warmth and also cushioning. He is being well monitored and looked after. They will call around dinner time tonight with an update, so I will wait for that and then decide what to do. Thank you for the good thoughts, we are far from being out of the woods. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carronstar Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 Many prayers and good thoughts for Jeff and for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robinw Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 Keep us posted, Mary. Quote Xavi the galgo and Peter the cat. Missing Iker the galgo ?-Feb.9/19, Treasure (USS Treasure) April 12/01-May 6/13, Phoenix (Hallo Top Son) Dec.14/99-June 4/11 and Loca (Reko Swahili) Oct.9/95 - June 1/09, Allen the boss cat, died late November, 2021, age 19. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickiesmom Posted September 23, 2015 Author Share Posted September 23, 2015 (edited) Vet just called - Jeff's PCV/Hematocrit dropped to 27% today Greyhound normal is 55 - 65. Heart rate and respiration still alright, they are monitoring those closely. He said this is not unusual, that it typically takes 3 - 4 days for the drugs to start having an effect, sometimes longer (we are on day 2). He also said if it continues to drop they may need to give him a transfusion during the night. They'll call if that happens, but I told him to note on the chart that they should always assume the answer is Yes. If you have healing energy to send his way, he could certainly use it, and I would be so very grateful. Edited September 24, 2015 by Rickiesmom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spottydog Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 Sending healing energy from Calgary for Jeff! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramonaghan Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 Sending good thoughts to you and Jeff. So sorry you're facing this. Quote Rachel with Doolin Doodle Dooooo, boss cat Tootie, and feline squatters Crumpet and Fezziwig. Missing gentlemen kitties Mud, Henry, and Richard and our gorgeous, gutsy girlhounds Sweep and Willa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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