Hello, my name is Brenda, and I rescued a dog named "Wallaby" on 11/09/2023.

We renamed him Mookie, as in Mookie Betts from the Dodgers!

He quickly became an integral part of our family, along with our dog, Willow, who was rehomed to us 1 day before we got Mookie.

Mookie has always been very high energy, loves to jump up on people, play fetch, and run around!

So, when he gradually became less energetic over the last few months, started eating less and less, and was sleeping a lot, we got worried.

What's wrong with our Mookie boy?

Upon taking him to our local vet, he was given a full blood panel. They discovered that his PCV (packed cell volume) was at 11, which is extremely anemic!

We had to rush him to the hospital for an emergency blood transfusion, so he could be stabilized and figure out why he was so anemic.

The transfusion worked! His pcv went up to 26! But the doctors told me that they suspect he may have a rare autoimmune disease called

Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia

(IMHA).

I've had dogs my whole life and have never heard of this disease! Once I started reading about it online, I couldn't believe that Mookie had even survived the transfusion. Most dogs with his level of anemia don't make it.

After they did some xrays of his chest to make sure his heart was normal, and an ultrasound of his abdomen to rule out any cancer, they started him on a high dose steroid and an additional immunosuppressant.

The doctors explained to me that he will need to take these medications for at least 3-6 months to prevent his body from attacking it's own red blood cells, which is what IMHA does. He is also taking an antibiotic initially to prevent infection, and an anti-nausea medication to make sure he eats.

So far, his medical bills total over $8,400 (as of 10/30/25).

He spent 2 nights in the hospital, and came home yesterday (10/29), but had to go back this morning for another PCV test. It is at 24, which is still good.

His next appt for PCV testing is Saturday, and another on Tuesday. The doctors are not sure if his case of IMHA was triggered by something (secondary) or of it is idiopathic (primary), but they hope to be able to taper him off the meds after 3-6 months.

The side effects of the high dose steroid are the biggest issue for Mookie, so far. It makes him very hungry and thirsty, and makes him have to pee very often, and also causes some diarrhea.

But he is hanging in there, and he's happy to be home. It's a long road ahead, but I am hopeful for a full recovery and a long, happy life for Mookie boy!

PS I forgot to mention that when we rescued Mookie, he was about 1 year old, so he is almost 3 years old now. Such a young boy to have this horrible disease.