Sunday, January 30, 2011

Grout Licktenstein

Our baby is sick. We noticed she'd taken to obsessively licking the tile grout for the past week or two, and that didn't seem right, so we called the vet and they asked that we bring her in. Turns out Fannie is very very anemic and it's likely due to this blood disease:

Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia

Her red blood cell percent measured at 13% Saturday morning. For doggies, normal is about 40%. At about 10% they require dog blood transfusions. Basically, her immune system is attacking itself. It is confused and thinks that her red blood cells are bad. We've started her on an aggressive dose of steroids to suppress her immune system so that it might stop what it's doing. So far she's been lethargic & pretty much uninterested in eating. I hope that changes once the medicine starts working.

I spent much of yesterday crying, and most of today researching IMHA. From what I gather, the way she responds to the steroids over the next few days will make all the difference. I've read stories of doggies that make it a week, and stories of doggies that make it another 6 years after diagnosis. She may pull out of this and never ever need medicine again! Or she may need medicine for the rest of her life. Either way, we have an emotional roller coaster and some big vet bills ahead. She goes back to the vet on Tuesday at 5 to see if the medicines are working. Keep her in your thoughts.

Needless to say, I didn't get any GMAT studying in this weekend. So very sad.