And I never realized this, but think about it. I know of at least 3 or 3 Immune comprimised dogs now, all female and then I came across this article -
Hemolytic Anemia
This is a type of anemia. Hemolytic anemia in dogs is mainly an autoimmune disease. Hemolytic anemia in dogs prognosis depends a lot on the underlying reason of the anemia. This disorder mainly affects female dogs more than the male ones. Also, a few dog breeds like poodles, terriers, spaniels, etc. are more prone to this disorder. Reasons which will trigger hemolytic anemia in dogs are contamination due to zinc, bee venom, bee infection, etc.
Here if the link to the articla
www.buzzle.com/articles/anemia-in-dogs.html
I asked my Dr. again yesterday when I picked up Naomi if this was not triggered by a bee sting and she said without a blink of her eye, that she was very positive that the onset of the Lyme diease is the cause of Naomi's AIHA.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Cannot sleep -
Naomi's breathing and heart rate are going so fast. I cannot sleep because I keep listening for her breathing, I am so afraid her little heart is going to just get too tired and stop.
So I took her outside and she relieved herself and then we came in and she drank her pedialite and is resting again. I might try and doze off in a while, but I just cannot.
Naomi can take Winston's blood just this one time, if she needs another trans fusion we will have to do a cross match. The second one would make her sensitive to his blood and possible further complcations.
Actually there are 8 groups.
This is from Cornell University
Canine blood groups
There are 8 major blood groups in the dog, labeled as DEA (dog erythrocyte antigen) 1 to 8. These are illustrated in the table below. The major antigens are DEA 1.1 and DEA 1.2. Dogs can be positive for either (not both) DEA 1.1 or 1.2 or are negative for both. Naturally occurring antibodies occur in 20% of DEA 3-negative, 10% of DEA 5-negative, and 20-50% of DEA 7-negative dogs.
Acute hemolytic transfusion reactions only occur in DEA 1.1 and 1.2 negative dogs. As these dogs do not have naturally occurring antibodies, a reaction will only be seen after sensitization of the dog through exposure to DEA 1.1 or 1.2 positive blood (antibody production takes 7-10 days after exposure). The normal lifespan of compatible transfused erythrocytes in dogs is approximately 21 days. In an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction, the lifespan of incompatible transfused erythrocytes ranges from minutes to 12 hours. Although DEA 3-, 5- and 7-negative dogs do have naturally occurring antibodies to DEA 3, 5 and 7 positive red cells, these blood groups do not incite severe hemolytic reactions. Rather, transfusion of incompatible blood is hemolysed more rapidly (within 4 to 5 days) than compatible blood would be (so-called delayed hemolytic reaction). Therefore, crossmatching in dogs does not need to be done on the first transfusion. Neonatal isoerythrolysis has been reported in DEA 1 negative female dogs (previously sensitized to DEA 1 positive cells) mated to DEA 1.1 positive male dogs.
DEA "old" name" Population Natural Transfusion Sinificance
group incidence* antibody
1.1 A1 40-60% No Acute hemolytic reaction
1.2 A2 10-20% No Acute hemolytic reaction
3 B 5-20% Yes Delayed hemolysis
4 C 85-98% No None
5 D 10-25% Yes Delayed hemolysis
6 F 98-99% No Unknown
7 Tr 10-45% Yes Delayed hemolysis
8 He 40% No Unknown
* Incidence is breed-dependent, e.g., most Greyhounds are negative for DEA 1.1 (explaining their choice as blood donors) but are positive for DEA 3, whilst large numbers of Labrador retrievers are DEA 1.1 positive.
I tried to do the chart and it came out scrunched so here is the link for this page with the Blood Chart
Link -
ahdc.vet.cornell.edu/clinpath/modules/coags/typek9.htm
Naomi's breathing and heart rate are going so fast. I cannot sleep because I keep listening for her breathing, I am so afraid her little heart is going to just get too tired and stop.
So I took her outside and she relieved herself and then we came in and she drank her pedialite and is resting again. I might try and doze off in a while, but I just cannot.
Naomi can take Winston's blood just this one time, if she needs another trans fusion we will have to do a cross match. The second one would make her sensitive to his blood and possible further complcations.
Actually there are 8 groups.
This is from Cornell University
Canine blood groups
There are 8 major blood groups in the dog, labeled as DEA (dog erythrocyte antigen) 1 to 8. These are illustrated in the table below. The major antigens are DEA 1.1 and DEA 1.2. Dogs can be positive for either (not both) DEA 1.1 or 1.2 or are negative for both. Naturally occurring antibodies occur in 20% of DEA 3-negative, 10% of DEA 5-negative, and 20-50% of DEA 7-negative dogs.
Acute hemolytic transfusion reactions only occur in DEA 1.1 and 1.2 negative dogs. As these dogs do not have naturally occurring antibodies, a reaction will only be seen after sensitization of the dog through exposure to DEA 1.1 or 1.2 positive blood (antibody production takes 7-10 days after exposure). The normal lifespan of compatible transfused erythrocytes in dogs is approximately 21 days. In an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction, the lifespan of incompatible transfused erythrocytes ranges from minutes to 12 hours. Although DEA 3-, 5- and 7-negative dogs do have naturally occurring antibodies to DEA 3, 5 and 7 positive red cells, these blood groups do not incite severe hemolytic reactions. Rather, transfusion of incompatible blood is hemolysed more rapidly (within 4 to 5 days) than compatible blood would be (so-called delayed hemolytic reaction). Therefore, crossmatching in dogs does not need to be done on the first transfusion. Neonatal isoerythrolysis has been reported in DEA 1 negative female dogs (previously sensitized to DEA 1 positive cells) mated to DEA 1.1 positive male dogs.
DEA "old" name" Population Natural Transfusion Sinificance
group incidence* antibody
1.1 A1 40-60% No Acute hemolytic reaction
1.2 A2 10-20% No Acute hemolytic reaction
3 B 5-20% Yes Delayed hemolysis
4 C 85-98% No None
5 D 10-25% Yes Delayed hemolysis
6 F 98-99% No Unknown
7 Tr 10-45% Yes Delayed hemolysis
8 He 40% No Unknown
* Incidence is breed-dependent, e.g., most Greyhounds are negative for DEA 1.1 (explaining their choice as blood donors) but are positive for DEA 3, whilst large numbers of Labrador retrievers are DEA 1.1 positive.
I tried to do the chart and it came out scrunched so here is the link for this page with the Blood Chart
Link -
ahdc.vet.cornell.edu/clinpath/modules/coags/typek9.htm
Update -
ok, we are home and she is resting. I gotta get her medicine ready and her food ready and her water. The whole job is about 90 min. long, but 90 min I don't mind. Her tail wag for the water is worth it and her fight to not eat is worth it. Tells me she has the strength to fight with me over things. :)
ok, we are home and she is resting. I gotta get her medicine ready and her food ready and her water. The whole job is about 90 min. long, but 90 min I don't mind. Her tail wag for the water is worth it and her fight to not eat is worth it. Tells me she has the strength to fight with me over things. :)
Update -
Back from the Dr..
I dropped Winston and Naomi off and pick them up tonight.
The stats on Naomi's red blood count (RBC) is devestating
Normal dog RBC is - Red Blood Cell Count (RBC), 5.5 - 8.5 X 100000/L
Naomi is 1.x100000/L
If this does not work I do not see how she can survive. The Dr. said that she should not be alive with that low of a RBC.
If ever you are going to pray, Naomi really needs them today
Back from the Dr..
I dropped Winston and Naomi off and pick them up tonight.
The stats on Naomi's red blood count (RBC) is devestating
Normal dog RBC is - Red Blood Cell Count (RBC), 5.5 - 8.5 X 100000/L
Naomi is 1.x100000/L
If this does not work I do not see how she can survive. The Dr. said that she should not be alive with that low of a RBC.
If ever you are going to pray, Naomi really needs them today
Update -
Naomi is awake, she has had her water and Gerber baby food and 1/3 of her prednisone so far.
She seems very alert and her gums are a tinge more pink and her eyes are still alittle yellow, but not like yesterday..
I am still going to go through with the blood transfusion. I believe in my heart that Winston's blood is really going to turn the tables on this diease and make Naomi well again.
Naomi is awake, she has had her water and Gerber baby food and 1/3 of her prednisone so far.
She seems very alert and her gums are a tinge more pink and her eyes are still alittle yellow, but not like yesterday..
I am still going to go through with the blood transfusion. I believe in my heart that Winston's blood is really going to turn the tables on this diease and make Naomi well again.
Update -
Naomi has taken a step backward since this morning.
The whites of her eyes have turned yellow and she is not getting better.
So Winston is to be her Hero.
Tomorrow he goes in with her and gives her a desperately needed blood transfusion. His healthy, fatty, oxygen rich blood is our last hope to her survival.
This Nobel, Wonderful Standard Poodle is again called upon to save a life. His first time was with a little mentally challenged little girl, who was also deaf was attacked by pitbulls and her terror of dogs paralyzed her, by the end of 6 months with Winston's kindness she was no longer fearful and hugged him all of the time.
He is my heartdog and Naomi's last chance at survival.
What I have not told anyone is that Winston experienced his own crisis just a few weeks ago when I found a nerfball sized lump on his side by his tuck. I was terrified it was cancer and took him in for a biopsy. It turned out not to be cancer, but a fat lump with an infection in the center of it. So with very strong antibiotics he is cleared and with that past the Vet said that his blood would be best for Naomi as it is very healthy, rich and thick.
Naomi has taken a step backward since this morning.
The whites of her eyes have turned yellow and she is not getting better.
So Winston is to be her Hero.
Tomorrow he goes in with her and gives her a desperately needed blood transfusion. His healthy, fatty, oxygen rich blood is our last hope to her survival.
This Nobel, Wonderful Standard Poodle is again called upon to save a life. His first time was with a little mentally challenged little girl, who was also deaf was attacked by pitbulls and her terror of dogs paralyzed her, by the end of 6 months with Winston's kindness she was no longer fearful and hugged him all of the time.
He is my heartdog and Naomi's last chance at survival.
What I have not told anyone is that Winston experienced his own crisis just a few weeks ago when I found a nerfball sized lump on his side by his tuck. I was terrified it was cancer and took him in for a biopsy. It turned out not to be cancer, but a fat lump with an infection in the center of it. So with very strong antibiotics he is cleared and with that past the Vet said that his blood would be best for Naomi as it is very healthy, rich and thick.
Update -
Things are a little bit brighter this morning. She kept the food down all night and drank a custard cup full of pedialite. I have so far fed her the Gerber baby meat food and 2/3 of her prednisone and no coughing up. So in 20 min. she gets the last bit of prednisone and then I will give another warmed up (room temp) pedialite and wait 1 hour and then her Lyme medicine.
She seems brighter today and her tongue is a light rosey pink. Her gums are not that yucky white/yellow, I can see a very faint light, light, light pink in there. So the Prednisone is working. I am still thinking she is critical condition and watching her closely for any signs that she might be failing. But as of this morning she is fighting the good fight and I can see some very small steps forward. She is not acting as depressed and her tail wags with a little more vigor when I whisper her lovey name to her 'Naomi Stinkypants"
I want to thank each and everyone of you for your prayers. I know that the Creator heard them and is doing his best to help her through this very critical time and illness she is going through.
Things are a little bit brighter this morning. She kept the food down all night and drank a custard cup full of pedialite. I have so far fed her the Gerber baby meat food and 2/3 of her prednisone and no coughing up. So in 20 min. she gets the last bit of prednisone and then I will give another warmed up (room temp) pedialite and wait 1 hour and then her Lyme medicine.
She seems brighter today and her tongue is a light rosey pink. Her gums are not that yucky white/yellow, I can see a very faint light, light, light pink in there. So the Prednisone is working. I am still thinking she is critical condition and watching her closely for any signs that she might be failing. But as of this morning she is fighting the good fight and I can see some very small steps forward. She is not acting as depressed and her tail wags with a little more vigor when I whisper her lovey name to her 'Naomi Stinkypants"
I want to thank each and everyone of you for your prayers. I know that the Creator heard them and is doing his best to help her through this very critical time and illness she is going through.
Update -
Naomi did cough up some of her food this afternoon after I called. When I went to get her the Dr. looked very worried and kept pacing and said that she was worried that Naomi would keep coughing the prednisone up and what good does it do for her if she does not keep it inside her.
So I said to give her an anti nausea shot and lets try that. I know the Dr. was worried that with the Lyme Disease antibiotic and the Prednisone and another medicine that we might be doing harm to her weakened state, bosh and bother, without the absorption of the prednisone, she will die.
So she gave it to her and I just fed her, and gave the prednisone (dissolved) over an hours time - slowly and it took effect. Just now after about another hour she started to drink pedilite on her own, almost 3/4 custard cup full.
So now I will wait for another hour and if the food and medicine stays down I can give her another Gerber baby meat food and her Lyme disease medicine and then we are home free for the night except for the every two hour pedilite sessions she has to drink.
Naomi did cough up some of her food this afternoon after I called. When I went to get her the Dr. looked very worried and kept pacing and said that she was worried that Naomi would keep coughing the prednisone up and what good does it do for her if she does not keep it inside her.
So I said to give her an anti nausea shot and lets try that. I know the Dr. was worried that with the Lyme Disease antibiotic and the Prednisone and another medicine that we might be doing harm to her weakened state, bosh and bother, without the absorption of the prednisone, she will die.
So she gave it to her and I just fed her, and gave the prednisone (dissolved) over an hours time - slowly and it took effect. Just now after about another hour she started to drink pedilite on her own, almost 3/4 custard cup full.
So now I will wait for another hour and if the food and medicine stays down I can give her another Gerber baby meat food and her Lyme disease medicine and then we are home free for the night except for the every two hour pedilite sessions she has to drink.
I just called and she was givin the prednisone and a tin of bland diet food. Good news is that she has not coughed the food up or gotten scours from it. Her condition is still critical, but at this point they are doing all they can. Her gums color has not improved yet, but she is resting and comfortable. Ye,s the Lyme diease was confirmed. So her body is putting up the good fight, it is a waiting game now to see if the prednisone can turn the table some and start working in her favor
I just got back from dropping Naomi off at the Vet for the day for her infusion of fluids. The Dr. can now start a predisone schedule and she is talking about a possible blood transfusion.
Naomi is in a really bad way. She cannot stand at all on her own. Her tests came back and she does have Autoimmune hemolytic anemia.
Her blood is like water and her gums are still bright white/yellow.
Her platelet count is down, but not as critical as her red blood cell count which is almost non existant now.
I ask only for your prayers for her, that if she is suffering that you all pray for a quiet and peaceful passing. She is barely awake and keeps passing out from lack of oxygen in her blood and her little heart is pumping too fast to try and support oxygen to her brain and body.
She is fighting a hard fight and I do not know if her heart can keep up with this pace.
My poor little dear in in a desperate way.
Naomi is in a really bad way. She cannot stand at all on her own. Her tests came back and she does have Autoimmune hemolytic anemia.
Her blood is like water and her gums are still bright white/yellow.
Her platelet count is down, but not as critical as her red blood cell count which is almost non existant now.
I ask only for your prayers for her, that if she is suffering that you all pray for a quiet and peaceful passing. She is barely awake and keeps passing out from lack of oxygen in her blood and her little heart is pumping too fast to try and support oxygen to her brain and body.
She is fighting a hard fight and I do not know if her heart can keep up with this pace.
My poor little dear in in a desperate way.
up date
The triggers for this disease are almost anything. I asked the Dr. lots of questions and she said that she had a dog come in that ate varnish and that triggered this disease, another ate onions and this came on, and yet another ate chocolate. I am thinking that the disease is silently waiting for a catastrophic event and then wakes up and makes itself known.
Naomi passed the night quietly, but she did cough up some of the little supper I forced her to eat last night, luckily it was late at night so the medicine that went down with her supper had time to work some of itself. I have been syringing pedilite water into her mouth. 2 full custard bowls full last night and just finished a bowl just now. She is thirsty, but much too weak to stand up and get it herself.
She has let go her water 3 times, twice last night and once this morning so far. She stands long enough to go and then I have to carry her back inside and make her comfortable on the sofa.
But she is responding to my voice and her tail wags gently as I smooze her carefully. Her gums are still white/yellow this morning and we have to go back to the Dr. for infusion water and see what the blood results say.
Naomi passed the night quietly, but she did cough up some of the little supper I forced her to eat last night, luckily it was late at night so the medicine that went down with her supper had time to work some of itself. I have been syringing pedilite water into her mouth. 2 full custard bowls full last night and just finished a bowl just now. She is thirsty, but much too weak to stand up and get it herself.
She has let go her water 3 times, twice last night and once this morning so far. She stands long enough to go and then I have to carry her back inside and make her comfortable on the sofa.
But she is responding to my voice and her tail wags gently as I smooze her carefully. Her gums are still white/yellow this morning and we have to go back to the Dr. for infusion water and see what the blood results say.
Naomi's Onset of AIHA - Autoimmune hemolytic anemia
From My Flickr - Dated 4 Oct. 2010 8.41 am
I suppose I should have seen this coming this last weekend, but I didn't.
This morning Naomi crashed and was collapsing.
I had no idea what was wrong with her. David dashed her up to the Vet and came back and told me she had Lyme disease. Are you kidding me?, Lyme disease?
Her gums were white/yellow, he nose was gushy and she was collapsing.
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is a disease in which the body attacks its own red blood cells. In dogs with AIHA, red blood cells are still being manufactured in the bone marrow, but once released into the circulation, they have a shorter-than-normal life span, since they are constantly being attacked and destroyed by abnormal antibodies in the blood. Antibodies are normally formed by the dog's immune system when needed to destroy invading bacterial or viral signs. However, with AIHA, the dog's immune system is not working normally and sees its own red blood cells as foreign, and therefore produces antibodies to destroy them.
A second abnormality often seen in AIHA is a decreased number of platelets. Low numbers of platelets is called thrombocytopenia. Platelets are tiny structures, which circulate within the bloodstream and function in the formation of clots when vessels are cut or broken. Over the course of a day, many of the body's small vessels normally break and the platelets clot the blood so no bleeding occurs. A simple bruise is nothing more than a collection of broken vessels, which allowed some blood to spill into and discolor the tissue. When low platelet numbers are diagnosed, clotting does not occur correctly. AIHA dogs, are therefore, similar to human hemophiliacs. Uncontrolled bleeding further decreases the number of red blood cells caused by the abnormal antibodies.
What are the symptoms?
A dog suffering with AIHA will have a lower-than-normal number of red blood cells within the blood. This is termed anemia. The lips, gums, and eye margins will appear pale (or yellow in the later stages of the disease) and not the normal pink to red color. Commonly, the dog will be tired and lethargic as there are not enough red blood cells to carry oxygen to the tissues. Fainting commonly occurs due to low oxygen levels in the brain.
As the red blood cells are being destroyed, hemoglobin (the oxygen carrier molecule of red blood cells) builds up to high levels within the body. The liver attempts to break it down and remove it. Elevated levels of the breakdown products causes a yellowish color to the skin and membranes that we refer to as jaundice. The urine may contain hemoglobin and appear dark or tea-colored. Additionally, the heart beats much more rapidly to pump the thinner blood faster through the tissue. This is an attempt to compensate for low oxygen levels.
If the platelets are also low in number, bleeding from the nose or blood in the stool may be seen.
What are the risks?
AIHA is serious and left untreated, usually results in death. An animal that is anemic will try to compensate by pumping more blood. This can overload the heart, causing it to fail. If the animal is cut, it typically takes much longer for the bleeding to stop.
What is the management?
Most dogs with AIHA will respond to steroid therapy. The steroid prednisone has been widely used to treat AIHA. Drug therapy may be required for months to years. Prednisone suppresses the immune system, helping to prevent red blood cell destruction. Blood transfusions may be required in the critically anemic dog. Thankfully, a portion of these cases may recover and no longer need therapy.
She said that she was pretty sure that is what Naomi has. That the Lyme disease kick started off.
She said that the blood tests sent off would confirm it, but that she could be wrong (ah, that carrot of hope dangled before me)
I just stood there and cried, my delightful, talking, loving dear Naomi Stinky pants was deadly ill with something that is trying it's damned best to kill her. Her own white cells were destroying her red cells as soon as her bone marrow deposits the red cells into her system.
She is home now just for tonight, she has to go back tomorrow for more infusion of water and see if she has to be started on prednisone or not.
Please say a prayer for this little girl, she did not have a good start with her breeder, then with her first owner, her life has been hard enough, a prayer for her recovery and happy days back with her pack is all I am asking for.
I suppose I should have seen this coming this last weekend, but I didn't.
This morning Naomi crashed and was collapsing.
I had no idea what was wrong with her. David dashed her up to the Vet and came back and told me she had Lyme disease. Are you kidding me?, Lyme disease?
Her gums were white/yellow, he nose was gushy and she was collapsing.
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is a disease in which the body attacks its own red blood cells. In dogs with AIHA, red blood cells are still being manufactured in the bone marrow, but once released into the circulation, they have a shorter-than-normal life span, since they are constantly being attacked and destroyed by abnormal antibodies in the blood. Antibodies are normally formed by the dog's immune system when needed to destroy invading bacterial or viral signs. However, with AIHA, the dog's immune system is not working normally and sees its own red blood cells as foreign, and therefore produces antibodies to destroy them.
A second abnormality often seen in AIHA is a decreased number of platelets. Low numbers of platelets is called thrombocytopenia. Platelets are tiny structures, which circulate within the bloodstream and function in the formation of clots when vessels are cut or broken. Over the course of a day, many of the body's small vessels normally break and the platelets clot the blood so no bleeding occurs. A simple bruise is nothing more than a collection of broken vessels, which allowed some blood to spill into and discolor the tissue. When low platelet numbers are diagnosed, clotting does not occur correctly. AIHA dogs, are therefore, similar to human hemophiliacs. Uncontrolled bleeding further decreases the number of red blood cells caused by the abnormal antibodies.
What are the symptoms?
A dog suffering with AIHA will have a lower-than-normal number of red blood cells within the blood. This is termed anemia. The lips, gums, and eye margins will appear pale (or yellow in the later stages of the disease) and not the normal pink to red color. Commonly, the dog will be tired and lethargic as there are not enough red blood cells to carry oxygen to the tissues. Fainting commonly occurs due to low oxygen levels in the brain.
As the red blood cells are being destroyed, hemoglobin (the oxygen carrier molecule of red blood cells) builds up to high levels within the body. The liver attempts to break it down and remove it. Elevated levels of the breakdown products causes a yellowish color to the skin and membranes that we refer to as jaundice. The urine may contain hemoglobin and appear dark or tea-colored. Additionally, the heart beats much more rapidly to pump the thinner blood faster through the tissue. This is an attempt to compensate for low oxygen levels.
If the platelets are also low in number, bleeding from the nose or blood in the stool may be seen.
What are the risks?
AIHA is serious and left untreated, usually results in death. An animal that is anemic will try to compensate by pumping more blood. This can overload the heart, causing it to fail. If the animal is cut, it typically takes much longer for the bleeding to stop.
What is the management?
Most dogs with AIHA will respond to steroid therapy. The steroid prednisone has been widely used to treat AIHA. Drug therapy may be required for months to years. Prednisone suppresses the immune system, helping to prevent red blood cell destruction. Blood transfusions may be required in the critically anemic dog. Thankfully, a portion of these cases may recover and no longer need therapy.
She said that she was pretty sure that is what Naomi has. That the Lyme disease kick started off.
She said that the blood tests sent off would confirm it, but that she could be wrong (ah, that carrot of hope dangled before me)
I just stood there and cried, my delightful, talking, loving dear Naomi Stinky pants was deadly ill with something that is trying it's damned best to kill her. Her own white cells were destroying her red cells as soon as her bone marrow deposits the red cells into her system.
She is home now just for tonight, she has to go back tomorrow for more infusion of water and see if she has to be started on prednisone or not.
Please say a prayer for this little girl, she did not have a good start with her breeder, then with her first owner, her life has been hard enough, a prayer for her recovery and happy days back with her pack is all I am asking for.
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