Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia

[j_cheney]

Apparently the Single-kidney Dog has Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia. Not rat poison after all. This could mean eternal steriods for the dog, or it could go away. She's never exhibited it before, so I'm hoping that it's something triggered by her surgery (or possibly the dirt-eating).

Other than getting the dog to the vet, I got a lot of housework done, made a second trip to the vet, posted off a mss, some grocery shopping, registered my car. Cooked 3 meals. No writing (or revising) yet. Will probably watch Chuck in a bit, and then get to work....

I'm glad we know what's causing it now. Thanks for all the kind wishes before!

Comments

[spcpthook.livejournal.com]

Hope she improves and doesn't need medication the rest of her life. Good thoughts coming your way.

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

Thanks!!

[dsmoen.livejournal.com]

Well, good that you know and that it won't take still more tests, but bad in that autoimmune diseases always suck.

[dsmoen.livejournal.com]

I'd realized I'd forgotten well wishes for the dog as well as your wallet. My bad.

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

S'allright! (Will take any good thoughts I can get)

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

Very true. Since this is a first time event, and we apparently caught it pretty early, the chances are good. ;o)

[jess-ka.livejournal.com]

Sorry I missed the earlier well-wishing--I hope it goes away and s-k dog eats no more dirt and has much health.

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

Thanks! We're hoping the steroids will help. ;o)

[jjschwabach.livejournal.com]

Hmm... from what little I know of People Medicine, the dirt eating could have been a symptom, not a cause? Pica (eating things which are not food) is usually either psychological or the body's attempt to obtain nutrients it is lacking. It may have been caused by the surgery, might be related to the earlier kidny problem, or might be a whole new thing.

At least it sounds treatable, even if it ends up being meds for life.

Here's hoping that it's the kind that will go away in a short while.

Al....though.... If every $500 means she has to live six more months....

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

Actually, in dogs 'dirt eating' is almost always considered a behavioral disorder. She started doing it when we abandoned her (to go to NY) and has quit now that we're back. She's also stopped the pooping indoors.

We haven't worked out how to enforce the 'continuing life' contract yet.

[countesslovlace.livejournal.com]

Our cat acted really clingy when we got back from NY. It didn't help that we went to see my mother-in-law for a few days the following weekend.

I've dealt with two cats that had incurable diseases so you have my sympathy.

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Sympathy welcome....

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

However, it is also possible that she was trying to get 'iron' somehow, and eating dirt for that. Only problem was she threw up most of it.

::shrugs::

[displacedtexan.livejournal.com]

One of the important lessons learned is not to wait. Get to the vet and catch things early! I'm sure the little girl will rebound.

Or, maybe the imporant lesson is to just buy a Chia pet.

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

Too much Smithsonian...

[stinabat.livejournal.com]

poor beast. hope everything heals well and that it isn't too expensive.

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

We'll just have to wait and see!

[ruralwriter.livejournal.com]

Good luck with your dog! I would imagine you feel much better knowing what's going on.

I once fussed at my cat, "Weren't you supposed to *lower* my blood pressure?" But, like you, I would make many trips to the v-e-t for him.

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

Yes, to the vet we go...