Boone needs Prayers(Goodbye Boone)

[tndrft]

Sorry to hear about your Boone! he and your family are in my thoughts and prayers

[CoryTDF]

Today brought some not so great news. His red blood cell level went from 8 to 16 after his transfusion and 4 days later it has fallen to 11. I am optimistic and see the higher number as a good sign but it's not what i was hoping for. The vet gave me a iron supplement and sent me out the door. Everybody is stumped and we are now waiting to see what the WSU pathologist have to say. Boone is spending a lot of time just laying on the floor. He wants to play I can see it but he just does not have the energy. *sigh* I'm trying to stay positive but i feel like I'm watching my buddy slowly slip away. May is a crappy month to be a pet owner, well, for me anyway.

[Pathfinder101]

Sorry to hear that Cory.  Still praying for him. 

[CoryTDF]

Thanks Mark

[mad-bomber]

sorry about your dog man. there is a vet up here in spokane that knows his labs really well. he fixed up mine after three other vets couldnt if would like his number. it sucks when they cant figure it out as fast as you want them too.

 North Spokane Veterinary Clnc - Spokane, WA, 99218 -(509) 466-4696

[Elkstuffer]

So sorry to hear about your pup. Prayers sent from Tieton and hoping that he'll snap out of it real soon. Hang in there Boone! and you also Cory.

[Curly]

Prayers coming Boone's way from Littlerock, WA. 

[CoryTDF]

sorry about your dog man. there is a vet up here in spokane that knows his labs really well. he fixed up mine after three other vets couldnt if would like his number. it sucks when they cant figure it out as fast as you want them too.

 North Spokane Veterinary Clnc - Spokane, WA, 99218 -(509) 466-4696

Called and was told that she might have time to talk with my vet but she was really busy. Receptionist was going to run it by the vet and see if she had time to take a look.

[CoryTDF]

sorry about your dog man. there is a vet up here in spokane that knows his labs really well. he fixed up mine after three other vets couldnt if would like his number. it sucks when they cant figure it out as fast as you want them too.

 North Spokane Veterinary Clnc - Spokane, WA, 99218 -(509) 466-4696

Called and was told that she might have time to talk with my vet but she was really busy. Receptionist was going to run it by the vet and see if she had time to take a look.

That is my vet. Near the Y. Great people that care about the critter and the owner.

Just got off the phone with Dr. Alsted. She is a very nice lady. She gave a few suggestions that we had not yet thought of. I'll be taking him in for these final two tests. If they don't show anything then I'm just going to wait it out. As soon as i notice that his quality of life is to poor I'll be compelled to put him down. I pray that is not the case. Thanks everybody for your kind words.

[Pathfinder101]

How does he look today Cory?

[Ironhead]

Prayer for Boone, sorry to hear it Cory.

[quadrafire]

His red blood cell level went from 8 to 16 after his transfusion and 4 days later it has fallen to 11.

Cory,
The drop after a transfusion is not unusual, and typically happens to some degree. It sounds like the most likely cause is immune mediated as has been mentioned in earlier posts. Depending on the amt of drop, it may be necessary to transfuse again. I am assuming he is on immune suppressing drugs (prednisone, azothioprine or others). It can take several days for these to take effect, and it is a painful wait to see if they are going to work.
This disease (autoimmune hemolytic anemia) is not extremely common, but is seen enough to give us fits in diagnosis and treament. One of the bad things is that there is not usually a definative cause, but lots of speculation placing blame on certain things, most unproven.
I would assume from your initial work-up that rodenticides have been ruled out and that he is not losing blood in the bowel, or in the abdomen.

As hard as it is, be patient, get more blood if you need, because as the blood count gets lower his energy level drops. Keep his stress levels and exertion to a minimum. A good multivitamin, maybe with iron would not hurt. I think you already said that he was on antibiotics, I can't remember. This drug treament is essentially like chemotherapy for cancer, and he is more prone to bacterial infections so keep other strange dogs away if you can. When the meds start to work, don't be in any hurry to discontinue them, it will take several months of treatment before he is out of the woods.
Hope I am not overstepping my bounds.

Anyway. The best of luck.

Speedy healing Boone

Mike

ps. I am vet by the way

[Rowdy]

So sorry to read this about your pup, I really hope it gets turned around for you guys. 
I had a buddy recently go through this exact same thing with his pup.  It was touch and go for quite awhile but after three blood transfussions and the meds finally kicking in the pup got back on track.  It was touch and go the whole time and they were never certain if he would snap out of it but the blood and meds finally got his count back to normal and he's been good for the last month or so.

I wish you and the pup the best.  It tough to watch are four legged friends hurt. 

Jake

[huntlakewood]

Cory
Any updates on Boone. Hope every thing is well and he is eating more of your elk steaks.

[1morebuck]

Cory, I hope things start to swing your way. Your pup is a fighter and you are a great person for seeing him through his tough time.

Kelly