CIMDA

it's been some time and Aria has done well with her AIHA and Polyarthritis.  She's been in remission for quite awhile but this week I noticed a very slight limp in the left rear and difficulty getting up and down.  I don't mess around with this girl so I examined her carefully and found a pale belly and lips that looked pale as well.  Marty took her into Matt yesterday as I was out of town and he thought there was some arthritis.  She's 10 now.  However, the blood work came back this morning and the RBC's were down to 29 with platelets a bit low.  Her T4 thyroid was .7 and it has been steady at 1 until now.  Matt and I agreed that she was going into AIHA and Poly. again.  He has started her on pred at 10 twice a day for three days and then down to 10 once a day for ten more days.  Does that sound right?  I am watching her closely and will get her in if I think she is failing.  Blood tests to follow in 10 days.

It is a merry-go-round with these dogs.  I am disappointed as we had done so well for so long.  But at least we caught it before she crashed with very low numbers.

She is also on a ton of herbs, supplements, and those have been good, but are probably not enough on their own.

Hoping everyone else has dogs who are prospering.

Hello Cimda Friends,

I was lost but hopefully not forgotten!  We had to get a new computer and with it came Windows 8 and the loss of most of my contacts.  It's been a frustrating...and labor intense ... experience!

Just to let you know that CeeCee is still with me at 13 and a half now.  She has slowed a bit but is still trying to keep up with the other beardies.  She is seeing Matt every month or so for acupuncture and VOM treatments.  Last month she came up lame in the right rear leg after taking a bad fall and she had laser treatments for 5 days along with a bit more pred.  The good news was that the plate was not disturbed in the fall and she responded beautifully to the treatment.  In fact, I asked if they shared the laser with mere humans...could use it for my knee!

On the down side, we put our Rosie to rest on June 5th.  She was 15 and a half and the dog matriarch here.  It was hard, but she was ready and I could not let her lose the dignity that she has always had.  She was my character always and I miss her.

Aria and Dizzy continue at status quo...such a good thing!  Amazing how these guys battle their diseases and seem to win.

Hoping all of you are great.  I have missed you!

Hello CIMDA Friends,

It has been a long time since I have checked in with you all, but I wanted to let the old-timers know that Cee reached the grand old age of 13 on March 1st.  After having Evan's Syndrome (AIHA and Thrombocytopenia) and AI Polyarthritis starting at age one, she has reached a mile post and is doing so well.  She spent her special day being groomed and bathed and going to the doggie specialty shop for a treat.  She also had her mile long daily walk.  After two ACL surguries, she still runs with my others, albeit a lot slower!  She still barks at every living thing and she loves life.  I can ask for no more than that.  We have been so lucky to have the right vets, the right treatments, and all of our CIMDA friends to keep us going through the darkest times.  I sooo love this dog!  I love her beauty, but most of all I love her brave outlook on life.

I have a current picture of her but have no idea how to put it on this forum.  Penel, help! 

With thanks to all!

Hi All,

It is good to talk about our old girl, Rosie, who does not have AI disease!  She will be 15 tomorrow and is doing reasonably well!  Her backend is weak and she has slowed down, sleeps alot now, but she still barks at the others and let's them know she is around.  I just wanted all of you to know about her as Cee and Aria, our AI girls, have gotten lots of space here at CIMDA.  They are doing OK, too.  AR will go in tomorrow for a pred. adjustment with Matt, but she seems fine on her 5 EOD. 

Life is good at Birchbark today!  Thanks for listening about Rosie...her brother was PTS two weeks ago and this definitely brought home our limited time together with Rose.

Hoping goodness for all the CIMDA dogs and their people,

Joanne

It's been a hard few weeks.  Mondays seem to be Aria's day for Emergency Vet care.  Last week we took her in for soft stool/blood and she has been on antibiotics and "stop it" meds.  The week before it was the failed spay attempt.

Yesterday she began moving very slowly, unlike her.  No limping, just an uneven gait.  One of the others ran into her and she tumbled.  I medacamed her and called Matt this morning.  We got her in first thing and they did xrays.  Her back was S shaped, but showed no disc or spine damage in the bones.  He did an adjustment and now she is on pain meds and medacam.  Tonight she went to get up and screamed...the first time since this whole thing started.  I also came unglued, rushed to her, straightened her and stood her up as she wanted.  It was horrible.  She is stoic and you know her pain was bad.  She is doped up now and sleeping.  She has eaten...thank god.  And she has pooed and peed.

Please keep her in your thoughts.  I am calling Matt tomorrow first thing.

On Thursday, our Aria goes in to be spayed.  I'm not fretting as Matt is doing the surgery, but I will be glad when she is home again with us.  AR is Cee's niece and has had AIHA, now in remission.  We had planned to spay her much earlier but she became sick and we needed to get her well before doing any surgery.  We feel now is the time.  Please hold AR in your thoughts this week.

Thanks,

Good Morning, Penel and all,

I would like to re-do CeeCee's story concerning her disease process and her recovery and put it on this forum.  I believe it has helped folks dealing with Evans Syndrome in the past.  Can you tell me how to get it on and how you would want it labeled?

Learning all the time!

Joanne

Happy Day!  I got in!

I'm Joanne and I have 7 beardies!  The famous CeeCee has been here at CIMDA since she was 4ish and is diagnosed with Evans Syndrome, Polyarthritis, and has ACL repairs.  She's now 12 and in remission.  Her niece, Aria, has also been diagnosed with AIHA/IMHA and is also in remission.  Our Dizzy has kidney issues, probably not AI related.

I'm looking forward to navigating this new Forum....a challenge for me!

Thanks, Penel, for the great new site.