Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia
On Monday, March 24, 2003, Biba appeared to have a normal morning. She pranced around the house, ate breakfast and hoped her mother, Sara, would leave a few pieces of kibble for her to clean up. By 7 PM she was not interested in dinner. By 10 PM she appeared to feel ill shaking and looking like she might have a gastric upset (which she had from time to time). The next morning, she was found hiding in a corner of the dog run, shaking, panting, and moaning. She exhibited pale gums and had a temp of 103.5. She was rushed to her veterninary hospial immediately. Clinical examination and laboratory tests confirmed a diagnosis of Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia.
In hemolytic anemia, a loss of red blood cells (rbc) occurs due to destruction of the rbc. The destruction occurs due to antibodies which stick to the rbc and cause the body to react -mistaking red blood cells for a "foreign invader" and attacks this agent while managing to injure and destroy the rbc as well. This can be the direct result of a drug, toxin, blood parasite, virus or other primary cause. Radiographs and an ultrasound were performed but revealed no abnormalities. Biba's onset was of an unexplained immune mediated reaction.
While Biba received her initial emergency care at her local veterinary clinic, she was later transferred to a 24 hour critical care hospital where she received fluids, antibiotics, high doses of corticosteroids, and oxyglobin transfusions over a course of less than 72 hours.
Biba tried very hard to hang on, but her illness was far too aggressive and advanced rapidly. She succumbed to this awful illness at 4:11 AM on March 27, 2003.
She was a very special dog -- we will miss her greatly.
Amie Lambert
Biba,... you were the first puppy I have ever delivered. You were so tiny, sweet, and fragile -- I knew immediately that you were my pick of the litter. Though you started off on the shy and uncertain side, you blossomed into a strong, confident, trusting, and loving companion.
I will remember you for the joy you brought to our family. You loved to retrieve, to carry the tennis ball around the house, to have a rawhide chew to parade past your littermates when they were all finished, and a to have a good multi-tasking roll in the grass -- gyrating all four legs in the air, wriggling on your back while capturing new scents and a fine shade of chlorophyll green all over your beautiful long black and white fur. Thank you for keeping me entertained, and for giving me reason to learn how to groom you.
I will remember you as my first partner in obedience competition, and an excellent teacher. Your shyness, encouraged me to learn more about understanding canine behavior, motivation, and positive reinforcement. I sought help from wonderful instructors, fellow competitors, books, and lecturers which opened doors and taught me a variety of training methods - strengthening my own skills that I may not have done otherwise. We worked hard to overcome your shyness and your fears, and you achieved not only a CGC certification, but a CDX title in obedience as well. That third leg in Open was hard to come by and certainly a moment that I will treasure forever. Although we had to retire you early from the ring, you still longed to train with me, and I enjoyed our continued work-outs as it became part of our play sessions! Thank you for motivating me to be a better trainer.
I will remember how you loved bagels -- especially Noah's bagels. They were so irresistable to you that you would do almost anything for a morsel of it -- even if it meant walking out of an obedience ring at a trial (much to my chagrin). Thank you for the predictability, for the suspense, and for keeping me humble.
I will remember how you loved children. How you dropped a tennis ball into Ashley's bassinet the first day she came home from the hospital. How you put up with her subsequent dress-up antics as she got older -- the hats, scrunchies, dresses, sunglasses, etc. How you sat still for a new "do" as she converted your show coat into a "do-not" show coat (to mom)! And interestingly, while the grandparents were supposedly on watch (?)! As the years went by, you and Ashley became wonderful buddies. Thank you for being so tolerant, such a good sport, and a great friend to her.
I will remember you as a creative and sly dog: You were particularly talented at unzipping purses and backpacks. You were very neat, and careful as you picked out the miscellaneous items that were in the way of your conquest and placed them quietly on the floor -- all in hope of finding an old breath mint, a flavored lip-balm, or a good clean (or used) Kleenex to shred -- any one would do! Remember when you stole some M & M's out of Karen's purse? You sat innocently by, cheerfully watching as Ashley and Megan got blamed for it. (Yeah! That's it! Kids musta' ate it! Heh, Heh, Heh) But, later, we caught you returning to the scene to finish your task -- Gotcha. Thank you for teaching me to keep important things off the floor.
I will remember when I brought Mocha home -- the "new" puppy. How you tolerated her mischief and energy, how you enjoyed playing with her, and how you and you mother, Sara, allowed her to jimmy her way up the ranks in the household taking on a higher position than yours. Thank you for being so accepting.
I will remember how you perked up whenever Eric came home. How the two of you enjoyed special outings together -a stroll by Folsom Lake, or the American River, a car ride -- just because, or a quick game of fetch. You enjoyed Eric's cooking -- how he would occasionally prepare you something special to add to your diet in hope that you would put more weight on -- which you did. You were looking good, and enjoying retirement to its fullest! Thank you for allowing us to nurture you and for being such an important part of our family.
Biba, you are with Scott now. I miss you both so much. One day, I too will cross over the rainbow bridge, and we will be together again. Until then, I will keep you both close to my heart. I will continue to love you in all the wonderful memories. And,.... I thank you so very much for sharing your life with me.
Till we meet again,....
"Mom"
