Imt

[Jackie467]

It's been a long time since I'v been here. I'v been very busy. But now I have a question.

I have and Italian Greyhound. She hasn't had too bad of health until recently. She is epileptic, however it is under control and not an issue. But now she is gravely ill. I took her to the vet today because she had a lot of bruising and began vomiting blood. The vet ran tests and found that she has thrombocytopenia (low platelets). They are critically low to the extent that she isn't permitted to even walk other than to go to the bathroom.

My vet doesn't know the cause of this and said it could be one of three things. Something wrong with her bonemarrow, a tick borne illness, or autoimmune. The vet said she doesn't think it's bonemarrow because her other cell counts are fine, although her white count is slightly elevated. She said this could possibly mean a tick borne illness however that is very rare so she doesn't think so. So that leads her to believe it's autimmune. She has started her on antibiotics (just incase it's a tick borne illness) and prednisone for autoimmune. I have to take her back tomorrow to have the platlets checked again, if they are still too low and she is anemic she will need a blood transfusion. If the antibiotics don't work and it turns out it's autoimmune the dr. said it is going to take about a year of treatment with constant bloodwork (at least once a week if we're lucky) and the chances are still only 60% of it working.

I wanted to know if anyone had experience with this or knows anything about it. I'm sorry this was so long but I didn't know how to condence it anymore than this.

[Winston]

so sorry you are going through this....do a search on this site for things like IMHA and I think you will find some reading that seems somewhat similiar to what you are going through! I might add from what I have read is seems to be a bit of a battle but curable at any rate.

keep us posted please!

glad to see you back!

Cindy

[Folkwitch]

I have no advice but as the parent of two Italians, one of whom has epilepsy, I can only say my heart goes out to you and your sweetie. :sad:

[Jackie467]

Well we went to the vet today for a recheck. It looks like the prednisone is working and her platelets have raised although they are still critically low. Now her red cells have dropped. The vet believes that this is because she is bleeding internally although not too terribly. So now she wants to start her on a med for raising the red cells. Problem is the lowest dose is too much and I guess you can't cut these pills so now she is trying to find a place that can make a lower dose but they are closed on weekends. So she is going to keep looking.
She said that's it early but because of the indicators she thinks that Candi will respond to treatment, although it will take about a year of treatment to get her off the prednisone. I have to take her back in on Monday for another recheck. We're crossing our fingers.

[chico2]

Jackie,sorry to hear about Candi,I hope she'll be ok
I am glad to see you back,even if it is because of worrying circumstances

[Jackie467]

Well last night she got really bad. So lathargic she could barley raise her head. So we took her to the vet today and her red cells have dropped rapidly and she is bleeding in her lungs. It's not looking good. She wouldn't eat anything and could barley look at us. We had to start force feeding her through a syringe.

But tonight (maybe because of the food I think) she has some more interest in eating and even got up to greet us at the door with her tail wagging. She's still pretty lathargic but better than last night and this morning. She's still coughing up blood though pretty bad. I have another appoinment in the morning for a re check. If her red count isn't up tomorrow my vet is referring me to an internal medicine doctor at gulf coast. She said that if Candi loses anymore red cells it's out of her expertise and we need a internal med. doc.

She was also put on another immunosupprecent drug that is actually sold for skin allergies but the doc said that she spoke with the internal med docs. and this was very highly reccomended even over the other stuff she was going to perscribe.

Please keep Candi in your thoughts and prayers, she is going to need them if she has a chance in this fight.

[chico2]

Jackie,I am so sorry,it must be very scary and heartbreaking,both for you and little Candi:sad:
she will improve,she'll be in my thoughts..

[Jackie467]

Well Candi had to be admitted to Gulf Coast. She's really bad. The pilimerary blood work isn't good at all, it's showing a shift to the left (lots of immature cells in the blood). I'll know more tomorrow after they do more tests. I'm so worried I'm getting sick, I'v started having panic attacks. I don't know how I'm going to afford this. The estimate for one night is 1,500 US. I'v had to pay 50% today and to top it off I had to take the day off of work. I just don't know what to do.

[chico2]

Jackie,so sorry
I would have a serious sit down talk with Candies vet,what her chances are etc...
We follow our hearts and do whatever,at almost any cost to save our animals and if there is a glimmer of hope,we pursue treatments.
If the suffering is too great for your little girl,maybe you'll have to face the inevitable.
Ithat is not the case

[Jackie467]

It's not looking good. She needs a blood transfusion today. I don't know if we're going to beat this and it's already cost about 3,000 US. Money wouldn't be an issue if we thought she could get better. We're going to wait for another few days after this transfusion and see if the meds start working, but they should be working by now and they're not and she's only getting worst. I'm on my way to see her now.

[rainbow]

I just read this thread now.....Jacki, I'm so sorry to hear that you and Candi are going through this.

Sending lots of good wishes your way.

[chico2]

Aww Jackie, I am so sorry beautiful little Candie has to go through this,hopefully there is still hope she'll make it ok
Please continue keeping us updated

[Jackie467]

Well she's very tired, but seemed really happy to see me and even got up and wagged her tail. They said her platelets are up slightly which is good. But they think it's from the Vincristine they gave her, which is ok but we need to get the other meds working to keep it up.

The transfusion went well. I'll know what her hct is up to tomorrow. The vet said in these cases it tends to be a race against time, to see if the meds will work before there are serious complications or you run out of money. So far she is doing well because she doesn't have any bleeding in the brain and not enough bleeding in the lungs to cause respiratory distress.

She may not make it. Please keep us in your thoughts.

[chico2]

Jackie,you know you and little Candi are in my thoughts and Ifor a good outcome

[Jackie467]

We had to let her go today. My heart is broken.

[babymomma]

I am so very sorry for your loss.. R.I.P little girly

[14+kitties]

Jackie467 - I am so sorry for the loss of Candi. I am sure she gave you lots of love when she was here and will continue to shine in her new home; the Rainbow Bridge.

Run free little girl.

[Frenchy]

I am so sorry for your loss Jackie467 :sad:

[t.pettet]

My sympathies on your loss of Candi.

[kathryn]

I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your pet :sad:

[chico2]

Jackie,I am so sorry,I know how much you love your little girl,I remember when you proudly showed her pic here on the Forum and told us about her.
Your heart is broken,the loss is huge,but try to take comfort in knowing she's not in pain anymore,you let her go out of love for her and she knew it.
Candi