Update: Dr. Vilar from OSU and Dr. Presley (Harmony’s local vet) spoke and they are both having a hard time reconciling her symptoms with anything specific. OSU just removed the spleen from a greyhound who had similar symptoms, but it turns out their cases diverge because Harmony’s spleen isn’t really that enlarged. The other dog’s spleen was the biggest Dr. Vilar had seen. I think Dr. Couto may be calling tonight or tomorrow to talk to Dr. Presley (or the on call doctor) in more detail to compare/contrast details of the cases). Right now Harmony’s tentative diagnosis is IMHA (Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia) with vasculitis. Basically, her body is shredding her own blood cells, which is causing the anemia and her blood vessels are inflamed, which is causing her to lose protein. So far, this is the only diagnosis that makes all the pieces fit together.

We visited Harmony and her doctor tonight. He’s a really, really great guy and I couldn’t ask for a more motivated or dedicated vet to be taking care of her. He’s taking her case very personally…Harmony has a way of wrapping men around her velvet paw.  Harmony looks…very sick. Dramatically different from yesterday. But she still wagged her stubby tail when she saw her daddy. Her PCV has dropped to 16% and they were starting a blood transfusion as we left tonight. The next 24 hours will be very important. She’s starting to get a little fluid in her abdomen…another concern.

Just when I think I can’t cry anymore, I do.

Original Post: I’ve decided to just start doing a daily update and edit an entry to add updates as the day goes on rather than write brand new entries for every update we here.  A lot has happened today and, at the same time, not a lot has happened.

Harmony’s PCV value dropped to 20% this morning. She also vomited, which may just be due to all the meds. They are adding another immunosuppressant to try to stop her body from killing RBCs and changing her antibiotic to a stronger for one on the TBD side of things. They are looking at her ultrasound again just to make sure they haven’t missed anything, but are still at a loss as to why she’s so sick. Dr. Presley said she is holding up pretty well, though you can tell she’s not feeling as well today as she was yesterday.

At the urging of my friends on GT and a fellow greyhound owner going through a similar situation with her pup, I contacted (email and called) OSU to see about a consult. Dr. Paulo Vilar called me back very quickly and asked me a list of questions. He said to have the vet fax Harmony’s info over to them and they will call me back later with more information or our local vet can call them up for a consult. The greyhound community is incredibly lucky to have the Greyhound Wellness Program at OSU as a resource.

Right now we are in a holding pattern waiting to hear from either Dr. Presley at Upstate or Dr. Vilar at OSU. Keep those prayers coming! I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all the emails, pms and calls of support from our friends. Greyhound people truly are the best in the world!

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