I'm sorry, I thought you were wanting to know why the diagnosis was not made...my mistake.
With IMHA it is a process of where the body starts rejecting her own bloodcells. Would your dog had a different outcome? I would say it is a 50/50 shot of a yes. There are great protocals for treating this disorder...but it is rarely a "curable" disease. We spend quite a bit of time managing these cases. I can say definately the quicker the diagnosis, we can get a jump on the disease, but the response doesn't seem to be predictable. I have had several that were diagnosed early on and failed to respond to treatment and would do well for 2-3 days and then poorly again. Some have only lived 30 days.
What I am trying to say is that there is a chance that her life would have been extended further, if the disease was picked up on and treated 30 days earlier...but because it is a significant, immune mediated process, it will be hard for anyone to say with a 100% certainty that she would still be here.
Again, I am sorry for not understanding the question...but I am more sorry for the loss of your companion. The loss of a friend that close to your soul, is crippling...and I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.
Dr.Vamvakias
Edited by DanaDVM on April 8 2005 at 9:25 PM
Dr. D.A. Vamvakias
Veterinarian