Prunella

[annee]

Hello everybody,

I'm posting this in the Aiha section regarding Prunella my beautiful American cocker spaniel..please do move it if needed.

Most of you would remember Prunella and her long history of contracting Aiha and thrombocytopenia when she was 5, she had many relapse and transfusions but always pulled through by having wonderful vets.

It is with a very heavy heart and great sadness that last week aged 2 months short of 15 I took the decision to have her put to sleep, she had glaucoma and had both eyes removed about 3 months ago but she just couldn't cope, she was nearly totally deaf and in the end the vet thought she was possibly senile too....physically she was fantastic but around the house she struggled, crashing into everything (id bubbled wrapped nearly everything at her level) she couldn't seem to walk in a straight line and I thought if I had a realative that was blind, deaf and senile I'd only wish one thing for them....I made that decision and the vet came to the cottage, she passed in my arms very peacefully.

I have always said that as long as she didn't pass with something auto immune related that meant that she'd survived it and with that I'm so very happy.

Without this forum over the years and many calls at strange hours to Jo for support and advice in Prus times of crisis I really don't know what I'd have done.

Thank you to everyone that has supported me throughout her illness, I miss her so much and the pain I feel is unbearable but she will never be forgotten.

Annee xx

[Jo CIMDA]

Oh Annee, I am so sorry, and I know how heavy your heart must be feeling.  What a girl though.  She battled against the odds and like you say she died of old age related things and not an AI disease.  During her illness I wouldn't have guessed she would make such old bones, but she did, and you did everything you could to give her that chance.

I shan't forget Prunella.  She was a very special lady.

She is at peace now.

Love to you.

Jo

[annee]

Thank you Jo,

She was the best dog I've ever had...the vet sent me a card saying she had "Celebrity status" there.

I don't think I went a month without her being a visitor at the vets with one thing and another but by goodness she beat the darn Aiha and for that I'm really happy.

Thank you for everything Jo and all the support I have received over the years from others living with a dog with an ai illness.

Much love xx

[DW]

I have just read your sad message about Prunella and I am so sorry for you.  They are never old enough to leave us are they but I just had to write and thank you whole heartedly for sharing your sadness with us, as, because of your lovely words it will give hope to so many of us who have younger dogs diagnosed with this horrid A.I. disease.
If you had asked me a few years ago what I thought was going to happen, I would not have thought more than one day ahead at a time but to read that Prunella had survived episodes of A.I. and yet, through her strength and your love and care, she reached a really good age.  Well done to you - she clearly didn't want to leave you until the time was right.

Gwyneth

[moss]

So sorry
Run free Prunella x

[annee]

Thank you all for your kind thoughts.

One of the biggest things for me whilst on the auto immune journey with Prunella was that she kept on pulling through, even when after 11 days in hospital once and 2 blood transfusions later she still pulled through.....on this occasion on the 9th day the vet called to say that in desperately trying to save her life they were causing her other problems (all veins had collapsed and due to the thrombocytopenia all were haemorrhaging when they were trying to get needles in to give second transfusion).

She was not only at deaths door, she was 3/4 of the way through it but still came back.

She was a tower of strength and so very strong.

If there is life then there is hope.

I just wanted to say that the AI journey is long, hard and bloody painful at times....but Pru was living proof that lots of dogs can pull through and survive.

Annee x

[Penel CIMDA moderator]

Oh Annee,
I'm so very sorry.  That's so sad, poor Prunella    she was such a fighter wasn't she. 
I"m sure you must miss her so much 
Thanks for posting, it's important that other people see that AI doesn't always mean it's the end x

[Ralphsmum]

I am so very sorry.  I am suffering the same devastation myself having lost my brave, strong Ralph - in hours from internal bleeding.

I am trying to think of the happiness we had together for 10 years - he was on pts list when we jumped in and took him as a 5 week disabled puppy.

Prunella and Ralph had more love than most dogs ever receive -xxx

[annee]

Hello Ralph's mum,

I'm sorry, so sorry....it's so hard to stop if they are bleeding internally.

I also had Pru for 10 years adopting her at 5, the vet told me I'd have her for such a short time realistically.

We do are best for them but in the end we have to let them go however that way maybe.

Sending you a big hug.

Annee x

[Angela]

Oh Annee,
I've just logged in "out of the blue" to read this.

I'm so very sad for your loss of Pru but very proud of both of you at the same time; I remember her and you very well. 

Almost 15, WOW.  What a girl, she lived a full life with you at her side.

Run free Prunella

[MichelleMoo]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm new to the forum but it sounds like you gave her the most fantastic life.