K9 Evans Syndrome
Here's the 411 on Canine Evans Syndrome:
-It is quick and deadly
-There is very little research done on the human disease let alone on pets
-They are currently unsure as to what causes Evans Syndrome. Some speculate it could be the following:
--Genetic
--Triggered by outside influences (parasites)
--Connection with: vaccines, bee stings, exposure to natural toxins, or various cancers
-There is no cure for the disease
-Any breed can be affected
Some info on my situation with Evans Syndrome:
My baby Ginger passed away after 3 days of being diagnosed with Evans Syndrome. We had no warning. After she passed away I still have a remaining vet balance of $1250. All I'm asking is help with paying it off. I lost my baby. I've had her since she was 6 weeks old, and I lost her so quickly.
When we brought her to her vet because she was urinating dark red blood he told us she had a bladder infection and it would clear up in 3-4 days. After she started vomiting that night I took her to a veterinary hospital to get a second opinion. That's when they diagnosed her with Evans Syndrome. Evans Syndrome is a combination or Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia and Thrombocytopenia. It is a very rare condition and little information is known as to where or how it occurs.
I would love to get the word out about this deadly disease. Since there is so little research for humans, for pets it is even lower. No one deserves to go through what this disease did to my pet.
When we brought her to the hospital they did a PCV (packed cell volume) test, the result came back and it was a 9 when it should have been 40-50. We had her admitted into their ICU and she received 2 blood transfusions. They were able to bring her level up to 15 and we were hopeful. They started her on a very strong steroid and two immunosuppressant's. We were able to take her home after they told us the next morning that her PCV level dropped back down to 10. We were told to keep giving her the medicine. She refused to eat and barely drank any water. During her only night home we fed her baby food with an oral syringe and pedialite. By the next morning she no longer was walking and barely picking up her head.
I rushed her back to the hospital where they told us her level was now a 7 and was an unlivable level. We had 2 options: she would have to be transferred to Tampa and continue to try with blood transfusions or euthanasia. Since her body was destroying the new blood so quickly she wouldn't have had a chance with the new blood transfusions or the transfer. We had no choice but to end her suffering and let her go to Heaven.
I miss her daily, hourly and every minute. Unfortunately I have the remaining vet bill hanging over my head. Before they would continue to treat her they were forcing me to pay a $1500 vet bill. I was able to pay a portion of it, now all I have is the remaining 1250. With my baby being gone, I just want to focus on the good and not the bad being the vet bill.
For more info:
http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/gard/6389/evans-syndrome/resources/1
http://www.ehow.com/about_5294417_evans-disease-dogs.html
http://www.evanssyndrome.net/#evans
**ALL DONATIONS GO TOWARDS HELPING WITH GINGERS VET BILL AND GETTING THE WORD OUT ABOUT EVANS SYNDROME**