My dog is very sick... maybe dying

**DontMindMe** · March 18th, 2008, 02:22 AM

I'm so sorry to hear that, and I hope everything turns out okay. Big hugs to you both.

**Honey** · March 18th, 2008, 02:28 AM

What a beauty, I so hope she will be OK.

DitaPage* · March 18th, 2008, 03:07 AM

I'm so sorry to hear that, I can just imagine how upset you are, but positive thoughts equal positive outcomes. She's absolutely beautiful, and I'll be praying for the both of you.

**elginshel** · March 18th, 2008, 05:55 AM

Awww, she's absolutely gorgeous. I'm so sorry to hear she's ill, you must be worried sick.

Dogs are such fighters though. My dog bounced back 2 times from illness when we thought we were going to lose him. The first time was when he was 6. He slipped a disc in his spine and was totally paralyzed at the back end. I don't think I've ever been so frightened before and it was heartbreaking to see him so helpless. I took him to the vets in floods of tears, fully expecting them to put him to sleep and ended up spending a fortune on medication x-rays and a specialist vet. He was walking normally again within 6 weeks!

Then when he was 10 he became very ill with an enlarged and badly infected prostate. Within the space of 2 hours he'd gone from being ok, to not even being able to lift his head. I thought he wouldn't even survive the trip to the vets he was so unwell. Again he bounced back very quickly after the treatment started working.

We did eventually lose him last year just before his 11th birthday, after his hip dysplasia got so bad that he couldn't walk any more, but he even fought that for as long as he possibly could.

Stay positive and I hope she's feeling a lot better soon.

**tkdgirl** · March 18th, 2008, 07:00 AM

Hi everyone-

Thank you so much for your support, well wishes and stories. If she's anything, its a fighter! This morning she is good. She ate all her food and seems to be feeling better. Looks like the steroids are kicking in, as well as the Danazol.

Now its just a matter of waiting to hear the blood results to find out of if its really IHMA, Doggie Lupus, etc. Needless to say, she will be on meds more than likely for the rest of her life- which I hope is a few more years at the very least!

I had never heard of IHMA before yesterday. Basically, her immune system looks at red blood cells as 'the enemy' and is killing them off. A crazy, bizarre thing but apparently not uncommon in the canine world. The mortality rate is fairly high, but my girl is resilient, to say the least!

Once again, thanks for the well wishes, prayers and support. I will keep all of you updated with her progress.

**Sweetie** · March 18th, 2008, 07:33 AM

You and your dog will be in my prayers. I am so happy there has been improvement. Please keep us posted!

**Just Kill Me** · March 18th, 2008, 09:18 AM

Positive thoughts for your doggy.

**WhateverLolaWants** · March 18th, 2008, 11:03 AM

So glad to hear she's eating. That's always a good sign!

**Trixie** · March 18th, 2008, 12:17 PM

Glad to hear your baby is feeling better, tdkgirl. Hugs to you both.

**roslyntaberfan** · March 18th, 2008, 01:44 PM

I'm so sorry to hear this, but wanted to say that it's amazing how resilient dogs are. My dog is 16 and is on her last legs, but I have had a couple of instances when I was convinced she was going to die, but she fought back. I really hope your little one gets better. It's a great sign that she's eating. Give her lots of cuddles!

**AliceInWonderland** · March 18th, 2008, 03:21 PM

omg im so sorry you're going through this! I just told my cat last nite (b/c he was acting wierd and sick maybe) that if anything ever happened to him that i would kill myself and its true.

i can't bear the thought of losing one of my babies, but i know they will most likely pass before me and its a thought i try not to have too often but i've lost a cat before his time before and its horrible so anyways....MY POSITIVE THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR BABY GIRL!!!!

i know she'll pull through it!!!!

**CherryDarling** · March 18th, 2008, 04:05 PM

tkdgirl, I am sending you and your baby girl positive energy.

**Quazar** · March 18th, 2008, 04:10 PM

Hope your beautiful furbaby is OK.

**tkdgirl** · March 18th, 2008, 08:21 PM

Hi all-

Thanks again for the kind and comforting words. She's doing good, and showed lots of excitement when a friend stopped over today for a visit. Maybe it was the box of Milkbones.

As my friend said, 'you'd never know there was anything wrong with her'. She is happy, albeit tired, and doing good.

I'll let you know what the test results are as soon as i get them. In the meantime, she's getting the royal treatment- and loving every minute of it!

If you're interested to learn about IHMA, here is a great link by someone who lost her dog to the same disorder:

AUTOIMMUNE HEMOLYTIC ANEMIA: Lilli's Legacy

**Morticia** · March 18th, 2008, 08:57 PM

I'm so sorry tdkgirl. My old boy is the first dog I've had so I can only imagine the pain you're going through. Sending my strength and thoughts to your gorgeous girl!