20
Mar
Taffie is normally a very lively, seven-year-old, Springer Spaniel but a few weeks ago, he was brought to Isabelle Vets very down in the dumps and definitely not his usual bouncy self. His owner had noticed how dark his urine was and when examined by the vet, Doreen Ford, she was concerned at his pale gums, rapid pulse and increased rate of breathing; all the signs of acute anaemia. Taffie was immediately hospitalised, and blood samples were taken and run through our own laboratory. He had only 20% of the normal red blood cells essential to life. It was a real emergency! Was he losing blood internally, not producing the red blood cells fast enough or were they being destroyed too fast by some unknown agent? A rapid answer was required and a range of further blood tests, scans and x-rays were rapidly performed. The answer was partly in the breed. Taffie was suffering from ‘acute autoimmune haemolytic anaemia’(AIHA) where the body’s immune system attacks and destroys its own red blood cells causing rapid and usually fatal anaemia. The Springer Spaniel predisposes to this condition. This is a condition with a high mortality and Taffie was already very ill and weak. The aggressive nature of Taffie’s disease required rapid and positive treatment. The AIHA had to be controlled, and this was done by initiating two powerful medications to suppress his over-active immune system. Over suppression can be equally dangerous and regular blood tests were taken to confirm the correct level of medication was given. Taffie was having problems getting enough oxygen and time was required to allow for the medication to work. His only chance of survival was a blood transfusion. Isabelle Vets has a register of donor dogs who we call upon in just such an emergency. These dogs are all ‘blood typed’ so we know who to call in an emergency. It was an emergency and in stepped our second HERO, ‘Merlin’ a big, happy, Labrador whose blood matched that of Taffie’s. He stoically accepted that he was going to lose 400ml of blood and this was directly transferred into Taffie. Merlin was fine and enjoyed the dog equivalent of tea and biscuit after his donorship. Taffie with Merlin’s help made a spectacular recovery and has returned to his usual bouncy way. He is still on medication although we hope that we can wean him off this with time. Why AIHA occurs is not fully understood, but we know that if we can get the dog through the first few days, they can return to normality, and in many cases, no further disease occurs. Taffie is a real ‘Pet Hero’ to survive against the odds and Merlin is equally a ‘Hero’ as he was there and brave when he was needed.
Taffie was suffering from ‘acute autoimmune haemolytic anaemia’(AIHA) where the body’s immune system attacks and destroys its own red blood cells causing rapid and usually fatal anaemia. The Springer Spaniel predisposes to this condition. This is a condition with a high mortality and Taffie was already very ill and weak. The aggressive nature of Taffie’s disease required rapid and positive treatment. The AIHA had to be controlled, and this was done by initiating two powerful medications to suppress his over-active immune system. Over suppression can be equally dangerous and regular blood tests were taken to confirm the correct level of medication was given. Taffie was having problems getting enough oxygen and time was required to allow for the medication to work. His only chance of survival was a blood transfusion. Isabelle Vets has a register of donor dogs who we call upon in just such an emergency. These dogs are all ‘blood typed’ so we know who to call in an emergency. It was an emergency and in stepped our second HERO, ‘Merlin’ a big, happy, Labrador whose blood matched that of Taffie’s. He stoically accepted that he was going to lose 400ml of blood and this was directly transferred into Taffie. Merlin was fine and enjoyed the dog equivalent of tea and biscuit after his donorship. Taffie with Merlin’s help, made a spectacular recovery and has returned to his usual bouncy way. He is still on medication although we hope that we can wean him off this with time. Why AIHA occurs is not fully understood, but we know that if we can get the dog through the first few days, they can return to normality, and in many cases, no further disease occurs. Taffie is a real ‘Pet Hero’ to survive against the odds and Merlin is equally a ‘Hero’ as he was there and brave when he was needed.
Taffie, with Merlin’s help made a spectacular recovery and has returned to his usual bouncy way. He is still on medication although we hope that we can wean him off this with time. Why AIHA occurs is not fully understood, but we know that if we can get the dog through the first few days, they can return to normality, and in many cases, no further disease occurs. Taffie is a real ‘Pet Hero’ to survive against the odds and Merlin is equally a ‘Hero’ as he was there and brave when he was needed.
‘Pet Hero’ is a monthly competition where Isabelle Vets will nominate a pet who they believe has overcome, with stoicism and bravery, an exceptional medical condition, injury or surgery. This could be your pet and with the love and care of his owner and the help of Isabelle Vets they have battled through to become happy and healthy pets, again. At the end of 2017, we will ask all readers to vote for the ‘Pet Hero of the Year’ who will receive a prize in keeping with their position of being a very special animal.
You can follow the competition at www.facebook.com/isabellevets