Xander’s Fight Against PIMA

Anybody who knows me, anybody who speaks to me for more than an hour, knows how crazy I am about my dog. To you he may be just a dog, but that’s far from what he is to me.

Xander is my hero, my best friend.

From the moment I held him I knew he would become my world, and as he grew into the gorgeous little man he is, so did my dependence on him.

Every time it felt like my life was crumbling, he remained my biggest strongest pillar of support. He’s my shadow, and if you ever saw us together, you’d know how he lives and breathes for me.

He knows when it’s getting close to time I get home from work, and he positions himself to look out the window until I do. He lays in the hallway and refuses to move if Im taking a shower. He will only sit in my car is he’s passenger prince. And when we’re hiking and sitting by the water, he leans against me and watches my back, never straying far enough to where he cannot see me.

His love is undeniable, his love is unwavering and it’s the most intense passion I’ve ever felt from anyone. That’s saying a lot, but I swear on my life, no one makes me feel more loved than Xander. I can say wholeheartedly, that I would not be here today if I didn’t have his love.

But last week, my worst nightmare almost came true..

Xander has been diagnosed with PIMA (Precursor Immune-Mediated Anemia)

His symptoms began with not eating, followed by a huge decrease in energy/motivation, then cognitive issues, leg weakness, and hypersomnia. Each day that went by was like a little more of him vanished. We were oblivious as to why, it happened so fast and he was perfectly fine a week ago, so when he was taken to the vet, nobody expected it to turn into a long night at the ER, getting an emergency blood transfusion because he was on his deathbed.

I cannot even begin to put into words the confusion, fear, and helplessness I feel, Im still in a bit of shock.

That night, he was given a 50/50 chance. His PCV was 11% when he was admitted (normal ranges are 35%-55%), after the transfusion it went up to 18%, but then back down to 15%. We were told to monitor at home and start his steroid medications that would help try to save him. I didn’t know what was going to happen so I wanted to make it a special night together, we snuggled and watched his favorite show Dr. Pol on my tv, and unlike the days leading up to that night he actually growled at a horse and wiggled his tail a little bit. So It was beginning to look up for him.

The next day he went back for another PCV check, and it was 20%. He gained some energy and mentally he was acting a lot more like himself, but still fairly weak. Regardless, I was so relieved to see his numbers rising and the life coming back into him. Two days later (This Monday), it was at 29%.

Last week was traumatic for the both of us, and it’s still not over yet. Xander’s diagnosis was originally IMHA, but today the vet ran a CBC, and his PCV came back at 25%. There are so many questions.. why did this happen? How can I prevent it from happening again?

The issue is we don’t know what happened. So much has been ruled out already. His bone marrow is having a hard time jumping back and reproducing his red blood cells. The next 4-6 weeks will determine his future, Paying very close attention to his symptoms and going in for transfusions as needed when the PCV gets low enough. He’s been doing so well, We are so lucky he’s made it this far.

He is currently on a plethora of medications that are making him antsy and restless, but without them he will decline again until his body is healed. They are expensive, and it is unknown right now whether he will have to be on them the rest of his life.

Xander will be turning 3 on September 1st, and he still has so much life to live. He still has so much love to share. And I’ll be damned if I “give up” on him because “treatment is expensive”. I won’t ever have what I have right now with this dog with any other being. He’s such a brave, strong, smart boy. As much support as he has blessed me with, I will forever owe it to him to do the same and be the mom he’s always counted on and treasured so dearly.

I’ve had many people reach out in support of Xander, a lot of people were praying for him when it all went down, and both he and I are so grateful for the love and kindness we’ve received during this stressful time. He knows he’s not alone and I know keeping the positive energy has been beneficial to his recovery and his mental well-being.

This fight is not over yet. Donations for his cause would be greatly appreciated and welcomed if you have the ability to spare it. Any amount helps to afford his medications, blood tests, and blood transfusions. He’s still just a puppy, and I don’t know what I’d do without him.

Xander truly deserves the world, Please keep him in your thoughts/prayers.