Jessica Thrombocytopenia

Jessica's Story (Thrombocytopenia)

We thank Dr. Wohl & crew at Auburn, AL. and Dr. White & crew at Country Clinic in Toney, AL. for their devoted care.

On Sept. 11, 2001 late in the evening around 7:00 pm, Jessica's (my dachshund) life fell apart, which devastated us. Jessica began bruising all over her body. Every time we touched her it left hand prints literally. It happened suddenly.

We called our Veterinarian but they were unavailable. We then called the only 24 hour emergency vet in the area. He was 45 minutes away. They were waiting for her. The doctor immediately took blood. He already guessed she had Thrombocytopenia. Thrombocytopenia is a disorder in which the number of platelets (a type of blood cell) is abnormally low, sometimes associated with abnormal bleeding. Causes are poisoning, allergies, or idiopathic (unknown).

Jessica had always had a reaction to her shots, but one week prior to her getting sick we had put Hartz brand top spot for fleas on her. We are unsure what caused this to happen, the shots or the flea treatment.

The blood tests confirmed that it was Thrombocytopenia. The doctor administered some medications called doxycycline and prednisone.

I stayed until 2:00 am. The doctor told me to then go home and get rest. He told us to be back by 7:00 am.

The next morning Sept. 12, 2001 at 7:00 am, he released her to us. But we had to take her straight to our vet Dr. White at Country Clinic. Once we arrived, Dr. White took her and administered doxycycline 100 milligrams and prednisone 20 milligrams again. She was hanging in there.

By that afternoon Jessica was stable. Dr. White figured she probably could go home in the morning. I had planned on picking her up early. So my husband could see her before he left out of town.

Sept 13, 2001 at 9:00 am, I arrived at the clinic to pick up Jessica. I was crushed my baby girl was on two i.v.’s looking very weak. I asked what was happening. Dr White pulled me out of the room. He said, “There is nothing more we can do!” They had tried to give her Vincristine-chemotherapy. Nothing was working. I called my husband and told him. He rushed to the clinic. Once he got there they allowed him to see her. His eyes filled with tears. It was the first time I ever seen him cry. Dr. White told him they had exhausted there options.

Then Dr. White had an idea. He said if we could get her to the Auburn Veterinary Hospital. She may have a slight chance but it was less than 50%. We told him whatever it takes. We did not care about cost. She was part of our family.

So he called Auburn Veterinary Hospital. They said they would be on standby. It took us only 3 hours to make a 4 ½ hour trip to Auburn, AL.

We finally arrived at Auburn Veterinary Hospital. Dr. Bellhom and Dr. MacEntire with team verified the diagnosis and immediately administered a blood transfusion to buy time so her immune system could have time to react to the prednisone treatment.

We stayed for a little while till they got her situated. Then we went to a motel. I was not leaving her.

In the morning on Sept. 14, 2001, we went back to the hospital to see Jessica. They brought Jessica to us. So we could visit while waiting for the doctor. She looked so fragile. She had not eaten since Sept. 11.

The doctor came in and told my son and me that Jessica only had a 50/50 chance to live. I told him “Do whatever it takes to save her!” He said it would be costly and he could not guarantee she would make it. I told him I did not care.

We visited for a little while longer. Then, they took her back and we left.

On Saturday Sept. 15, 2001, we went again in the morning to see Jessica. They brought her in to see us. She was slipping away fast.

Then a new doctor, Dr. Wohl, came in. He proceeded to tell me that Jessica still only had a 50/50 chance to beat this. I know he probably thought I was crazy, because and I could not stop crying. I had not eaten in days. It just made me sick to my stomach that something so horrible would happen to our baby. I told him how she was a like a child. That are animals are not property but like children to us, part of our family. I proceeded to tell him some funny little stories about her and that I would be there every day by her side until she was better. She seemed to be fighting to live.

They continued to keep her on fluids, doxycycline 100 milligrams and prednisone 20 milligrams and other meds. They also sent her to have x-rays, a bone marrow test and ultra sounds. Where they determined her stomach was completely black and bleeding internally and no sign of cancer.

We went back that evening to see Jessica. They brought her in to see us. She was still getting worse by the hour. Dr. Wohl told us he was trying to determine what to do next to by more time. Jessica was not producing enough red blood cells or platelets to stay alive. He thought about another blood transfusion but he did not think it would buy enough time until Jessica’s her immune system could to react to the prednisone treatment. So he suggested a new solution called oxyglobin (imitation blood). So new it had just become available on the market. We agreed to go ahead.

Come Sunday Sept. 16, 2001, they had already administered the oxyglobin before we arrived. When they brought Jessica into see us she seemed so much better. Dr. Wohl proceeded to tell us that she was only feeling better because of the oxyglobin. And that he was hoping it would buy her enough time for her immune system to react to the prednisone treatment.

We visited with her for a while. We always brought her favorite toys. It always seemed to help. We also tried every day to get her to eat with no luck.

On Monday morning Sept. 17, 2001, Jessica was at deaths door. When we arrived the doctor told us we could visit only for a couple minutes. He said he was hoping Jessica was going thru a condition called Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) and not dying. DIC is a condition in which there is over stimulation of the body’s clotting and anti-clotting process in response to disease or injury. This condition is when the body shuts down and blood clots take over the organs. Then, hopefully with the help of the medications the body kicks back in again. Then we try to help it repair itself with treatment.

They brought her in to see me. She looked horrible. She was uncontrollably jerking as if having a seizure. She was there but not there. I tried to hold her but it was if she was leaving me. I had to let her go back with them. It just ripped my heart out. They told me to call them later to check on her.

I will tell you one thing people may think I am crazy but there is a one God for all life. I left the hospital with my son. I was going to do all I could to help her fight. I stopped at the first church (Auburn United Methodist Church, Auburn AL) I could find. I went in and asked for the Preacher. A young man came out an associate of the ministry. He explained who he was. I was so upset and my memory is blurred but this man took me back to his office. I explained that I new this situation was unusual for him but I needed him to pray with me for God to spare Jessica’s life or at least not let her suffer. He then prayed with me for Jessica. To this day I thank him deeply because when I got back to the hotel an hour later, I received a call. It was the hospital. Jessica’s immune system had finally started reacting to the treatment.

She continued the next few days to slowly improve except for one allergic reaction to one of the medications they were giving her that they discontinued.

We stayed at the hotel for 7 days, until Jessica was out of the woods so to speak. Then my son and I went home. I continued to drive to Auburn every day for the next 5 days to be there at 12:00pm for visitation.

On Sept. 12, 2001 I went to see Jessica. She was continuing to improve. Dr. Wohl said it would be months until we would know if she would pull out of this. Dr. Wohl also said he would release her to go home, but she would have to continue treatment thru my veterinarian, Dr. White. Dr. Wohl said he would continue to work side by side with Dr. White in treating Jessica. Dr. Wohl told me that I would have to administer all her meds 24/7 every 4 hours at home.

We had to go every week, then gradually every two weeks to once a month a trip to see Dr. White for CBC. A CBC is a blood test that actually shows you how many platelets, white and red blood cells you have. By comparing them you can tell if your body is producing the right amounts.

It took months to help rebuild her immune system. For 14 months, she was under continuous medical treatment. She could only go outside in a small fenced in area or playpen. We had to continuously bleach the area to make sure she would not get sick. After they had only given her a 50% chance to live, Jessica’s treatment ended January 2003.

The prednisone is to us a miracle pill.

Prednisone (a Steroid) is a popular drug that does a wonderful job in helping a pet deal with allergies, joint problems and many other ailments. A veterinarian must prescribe it. The dosage is usually according to weight. The prescription usually is doubled in the beginning to get it into your pet's system quickly. Then it is leveled off to “normal” according to the dog’s weight. Then once the allergies are under control your pet is gradually weaned off the steroid. Sometimes a veterinarian may require blood work while a pet is on this steroid.

Today April 12, 2005, Jessica is out of danger. She only gets prednisone if she gets hives (allergic reaction), which has only happened once since her treatment has ended. She is no longer allowed to receive her shots. She has a letter stating the shots will cause her death. She does go annually for titer checks.

Since this happened she stays in the safety of our home living a very spoiled life.

I did everything humanly possible to help and encourage her. I believe it is what gave her the strength to pull her through.

Please if you would help us spread the information on this disorder to all pet loving people. The treatment for this disorder is inexpensive if we are familiar with the symptoms and catch it early.