My name is Sadie Elizabeth and I am a 9 year old Pomeranian who was just recently diagnosed with Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia. My Pommy Mommy, Kristina, helped me set up a Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/SadieElizabethStrong1228 so that all my friends and family can get updates on how I am doing.
I was born on December 28, 2004 and almost 8 weeks later on February 25, 2005 my Mommy brought me home. I am extremely energetic and love to be with my family. My Mommy and I are so close, we do everything together. I always sleep at her feet and love to cuddle in her lap and watch our favorite TV shows.
A little more about me, I am Wolf Sable in color, big brown eyes, diva personality, oh and I love to play fetch with my favorite ball. I have two Pommy friends Badger and Kinsey, we love to play and bark at just about anything. 
On my 9th birthday (12/28/13), me, my Pommy Mommy and her Mommy went shopping at Petsmart. That is a tradition we do on my birthday, so I can go out and pick a new toy. I was my spunky self that day. Two days later Mommy was getting ready for work and I came over to see her, I knew she knew something wasn’t right. I am never awake at 6:30 in the morning and I never turn down my food. I did that day and Mommy said I looked so sad. The rest of the day I just slept and didn’t do too much because I didn’t feel up to it. At first Mommy thought maybe I caught a bug at the pet store but then more symptoms came on and Mommy was getting really worried. She took me to the animal emergency room (AVETS), I was quite nervous, it was a long car ride, well long for me anyway and I wasn’t sure why Mommy looked so upset.
We got there and this very nice doctor came to check on me, between him and my Mommy they decided to run all kinds of tests, since I was running a slight fever and seemed to be a little lethargic. (That’s a big word for a little Pommy like me). Anyway back to my story… my doctor took me and Mommy to the back for some blood work (ouchie and Mommy didn’t get to stay to hold my paw) and then an hour or so later brought me back to Mommy. (Phew).
Thank goodness Mommy was there because the doctor was throwing a whole bunch of big words around that I didn’t understand. Mommy seemed to though. He told Mommy that my red blood cell count was 32, normal range for me should be between 35 and 54. It wasn’t too low but the doctor wanted to start me on medicine anyway because things could change drastically really fast. We caught it early the doctor told Mommy.
So I started all these medicines and had to come back quit a few times that week for blood work. Two days later on 1/2/14 I went back with my Grammy this time because Mommy had to work, this time my PCV (packed cell volume) had dropped from 32 to 21. Grammy and Mommy were reassured that it would take at least 7 to 10 days for my medicines to start working. I went back again the next day and my PCV was 19. My new doctor Dr. Tam said that since I started to eat again and was still walking around some, that I was okay to go home and didn’t need a blood transfusion.
I rested all weekend because the Prednisone makes me really sleepy and so does IMHA. The more I sleep the easier it is for my body to produce more red blood cells. My other medicine (Azathioprine) is suppressing my immune system so my body will stop fighting against itself. That means I have to be really careful around other puppies. I also take some medicine for my tummy so the Prednisone doesn’t upset it and some Aspirin so that my blood stays thin enough. Thank goodness for peanut butter, that’s how Mommy gets me to take my medicine. She thinks I don’t know it’s in there but I do, I eat it like a big girl anyway because I don’t want to let my Mommy down. We need each other too much!
On Monday, 1/6/14 I went back for more blood work only to find out my PCV dropped to 18. Scary but Mommy said that was ok because it only dropped one in two days, meaning my medicine was starting to work by slowing down the destruction of red blood cells. Dr. Tam increased my Prednisone this time though in hopes to help bring my PCV up.
On 1/9/14 guess what?! My PCV went up to 23. Everyone was so happy, especially since the day before I started having trouble breathing… kind of sounded like a really loud snoring sound or so my Pommy friends told me. Dr. Tam said that the breathing was a side effect of the Prednisone.
I went back to see Dr. Tam again for more blood work and a check up on 1/14/14 and my PCV went up again to 27. I am still super sleepy but I started to perk up some around snack time. Mommy gives me some yummy yogurt before bed. I still have side effects of the Prednisone. That medicine is really hard on me but I know it will make me feel better so I keep on fighting.
On my latest visit to see Dr. Tam my PCV went down a little bit to 24, I know Mommy was a little sad but we are hoping this is because they had reduced my Prednisone some last time I saw Dr. Tam. Dr. Tam also heard a slight heart murmur this time, which is common in us dogs with IMHA. My Prednisone is also starting to weaken my muscles so I started slipping on the floor.
So What is Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia?
Normally red blood cells live about 4 months in dogs. As the cells age, they are removed and destroyed by other cells that are part of the immune system. New red blood cells are produced in the bone marrow at a rate that matches the destruction of older cells. In Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia, the immune system destroys red blood cells prematurely, faster than the rate at which new ones can be produced. The name says it all – anemia (reduced red blood cells) caused by hemolysis (destruction) by the body’s own immune system.
So Pommy Mommy’s if your furry baby has any of the symptoms I told you I have please take them to your Vet right away.
I’m ‘Sadie Strong’ and will continue to fight this…
Well these were all my updates up until now when Mommy was finally able to set this up for me. I am getting really sleepy now and it’s almost medicine time again. Time to go ‘night night’.
I ‘woof’ you all very much!
Love,
Sadie Elizabeth… as told to Kristina Backoefer
22 comments
Sadie, you have a beautiful Pomeranian smile. You are such a pretty girl!! Keep fighting IMHA!!
Thank you for your story. we pray you continue to get better.
Hi Sadie & Kristina! I just want to say that my heart goes out to both of you!! My pom was diagnosed with this horrible disease in July of 2011. We tried every med imaginable and he would get a little better- then they would stop working and we would have to increase doses, try new meds, more blood tests, blood transfusions, etc… This went on for over a year and we finally, as a last resort, decided on a splenectomy (removal of the spleen) last April. I am happy to say that Zephyr (just turned 6 last week) is in full recovery! His PCV levels were normal for the first time (since his diagnosis) this past December. I wish you and Sadie the best of luck and all the health and happiness in the world! I wish there was something we could do to help spread the awareness of this terrible disease. Luckily- you and I caught it and rushed our poms to the vet right away but I’ve heard about several cases where doggy parents decided to “wait it out” to see if their pup got better and when they finally got to the vet- it was too late. Here is a great website/message board- http://community.dog.com/search/default.aspx#q=IMHA . The user: calliecritturs has a ton of great info. P.S. I’ve heard that BioPrep stuff is a waste of money.
Sadie, I sure hope you continue to improve!It’s tough being sick and have so many test done to find out why! Looks like your Mom and your Vet are on the right track! Good luck and a speedy recovery, Sadie!
Hang in there Sadie! We are praying for you and your mommy too. God grant you both strength and healing in the days to come.
I wish you and your mommy the best of luck. I am a certified vet assistant and saw these symptoms at the clinic where I used to work, but the doctor had no idea. I had a pommy for 3 years(so not enough time). So I know what a BLESSING it is to be a POMMY MOMMY. I do miss him so…you all will be in my prayers.
Hope you feel better soon Sadie Penny Mater and pooh bear will be praying for you
I just read your sad story and the illness you have. I pray for improvement every day.I had a pommy and his name was Scooter. After reading your story I believe he had the same thing, but I did not realize and got him to the vet to late. He had only just a few red blood cells and we had to make the decision to have him put to sleep.
I believe that this illness takes many poms and is around more than we think.I only wish that I knew that such a thing could and have more information on it.
I pray for you .
Hang in there. I feel for ya. My pom Buddy left this world at age 11 from congestive heart failure. It happened suddenly and severely. Then my baby Naima who was 8 got diagnosed with idiopathic erosive polyarthritis. I wish I had known Pommy Mommy then, because I think the support would have been a needed blessing. The bones in her legs began to disintegrate and she was in so much pain. The prednisone didn’t help and she screamed out in pain every day for the brief period we had her on it. She stayed the sweet and cheerful love bug she always had been till the bones across her hips and shoulders became brittle. Letting her go was one of the hardest things I have ever been through. It wasn’t long before I got another pom puppy who’s 20 weeks old now. She’s a cuddle bunny & a total love. I can only imagine how you feel. I’m glad I found this community of pom lovers. I love all dogs, but have it bad for poms. Take care of Sadie.
Hi pommy mommy, I was just wondering if this desease is cureable? If so how long does it take to heal?
It is not curable but it can be managed with medication. Auto-immune diseases are not curable in humans or Pomeranians.
Hi,
My 6 year old Pommy (Marlie) currently has IMHA and if your dog responds to the prednisone and immuno drugs they are weaned off slowly and do recover. Some dogs may have a relapse, but can get started on drug therapy again and start all over again. Many dogs NEVER have another problem again, but have to be very careful with vaccines. My dog’s PCV was a 12 when she arrived at the vet’s office. She had scratched our wall and started eating the drywall over her food dishes. We had just lost our 15 1/2 year old Pommy, so we all thought she was grieving. Ironically, we had also just gotten a new Pommy puppy named Sadie,so we thought she might be mad about the puppy too. Marlie was also licking dirt in the yard (called PICA). This type of behavior is indicative of a deficiency and possibly anemia.
I would like to clarify that IMHA is CURABLE. If your dog’s red blood cell count cannot be maintained, it could be related to bone marrow issues (scarring/cancer). Bone marrow problems are not considered curable and the prognosis is guarded to poor. All of these treatments are extremely expensive and we are very fortunate to be able to afford them for the sake of our beautiful girl. We are not out of the woods yet, but are on the path to recovery.
Hang in there Sadie.
Marlie’s Mommy – Julie
Dear Sadie, Kristina and Pommy Mommy~ Thank you for sharing your story. It gave Sinbad and me a lot of much-needed inspiration and support. Sinbad is dealing with a blood condition called Thrombocytopenia. (We are in Japan so I’m not sure if that’s the exact English name for what he has.) He was diagnosed with it last year in October 2013 and we’re still making regular visits to the vet for blood tests and medicine refills. It hasn’t been easy for me, but Sinbad has been a real trooper and we’re just praying we can get things under control. Like IMHA, Thrombocytopenia needs immediate attention, but it can easily go unnoticed I think in a darker colored Pom. Pommy Mommy, thank you so much for your site. Having a place where we can all support each other with our Poms is wonderful. Sadie and Kristina, hang tough and stay strong! <3
Our little girl, Buffy, was also diagnosed with this and her count fell to below 10. She had an emergency transfusion and was on a ton of meds. It has been just over a month since she stopped all of them and she has been doing well. She will be turning two this month and she is back to her playful and loveable self. It was a scary time for her and us and her pom brother and sister. Prayers to all the dogs who have had this horrible sickness!
Dear Sadie and Sadie’s Pommy Mommy,
Thank you for letting us know that there is something that I can look out for about my Pom, Jack. It is so important that we educate ourselves and keep up with everything that we can for our little Pomeranian furkids. I wish you both well and will say prayers for both of you.
Hugs & Prayers,
Christine – Jack’s Mom
Keep fighting. Is there a cure or ongoing meds that will off set the symptoms?
Hi Anna,
I am Sadie’s Pommy Mommy. There is no cure for IMHA but it can be managed with ongoing medications such as Prednisone and immunosuppressants. However the medications themselves have their own side effects. For instance the Prednisone has caused Sadie to lose muscle tone so she is extremely weak and all the medications combined even with medicine to help her stomach can lead to ulcers as well as being really hard on their liver. Sadie did undergo a blood transfusion today because her counts dropped again and she is currently spending the night at the 24hr vet hospital. 🙁 The vet thinks that she does have an ulcer/bleeding somewhere in her digestive system so they are changing medications around again. Sadie also takes Aspirin to prevent any clots from forming.
I had a Pommy named Lily with GME it is rare and fatal. It is treatable but had to dig hard to find a treatment and vet who would administer. She was diagnosed at 8 months and lived to be 2. It was tough and heartbreaking but I’d do it all over again for the time and the things she taught me. Take care of your babies.
My prayers for you Sadie, and Sadie’s mom. Our baby, Buffy, came down with the same disease. She received a transfusion also, her count was down to just about 10. I was so scared we would lose her – she wasn’t even a year at the time. Six months of medications (and peanut butter) and she was stable. She went about 8 months drug free and I noticed that she was going back to her sleepy mode and brought her right back. Levels were down a little and she is back on the steroids gain. She has had a real problem with weight gain. We try to regulate intake – but with two other poms and 3 cats, she finds everything and eats everything. Luckily no cat food – but the cat love to knock food off the shelves….
I lost my precious Boo ( 11years old) to this May 2014…we took her into the ER vet because it was the weekend, her number was 21′ after the transfusion it went to 24, but within hours went down again to 20 then 12…she was struggling to breath and in our case she was vomiting up the meds and she would not eat..we wanted to try another blood transfusion but the vet said with the meds not staying down she would not keep the blood count…so we had the choice watch her struggle till the end or let them put her to sleep with us holding her and loving her, so that’s what we did…I had never heard of this before and have had 5 pom’s thru my 30 years of marriage…scary. Made me not want to have any for a while….I loved Boo so much, it broke me to loss her and I could not picture loving another. But I have gotten a new pup ( my family really missed having a dog, and pom’s are our dog of choice) so we now are starting over..I pray this one has a long healthy life, I will also pray for Sadie…this is a scary disease and there are a lot of ups and downs…I pray she recovers and has no other issues with it…best of luck and prayers to Sadie and her Mom :0)
My Pom has the exact same thing. Same drugs too. Mine has bleeding on the brain. A key sign for this is when their breath starts to smell strange. It means they are digesting blood. I was taking my dog in for a dental cleaning and they checked his blood prior and his platlettes were at 15. He was so lethargic I thought he ate something bad. Poor baby spent 5 days in emerg. Had a blood transfusion after the bleeding in his brain. He seems to have also lost eyesight in one eye fully and some in the other. On prednisone I hope he is going to be okay. Yours too!
My 9 year old terrier Possom developed IMHA after extensive dental surgery. She was on a large dose of Prednisone for months until I discovered BioPreparation F3z+ from Optimum Choices. She responded immediately and was weaned off the prednizone over a period of eight months. After each adjustment, we always followed up with CBC blood count. The day our vet, Dr. Terry Brockman of Richland Animal Clinic, Nashville, TN, discontinued the prednisone, she calmly remarked, “Possom is a miracle dog” adding, “and it’s because of what you did”. I asked Dr. Brockman if she had ever seen a dog recover from IMHA and she replied, “no.” Possom is now 13 and in perfect health. I continue to give Possom and Pearl BioPreparation F3+ twice a day and I take BioSuperfood F3+ (the people version) twice a day.