Samson's IMHA Fund
Donation protected
Samson came in to our lives in January 2010. We wanted to get our 1 year old Labradoodle a friend and my 4 children another doggie to love. So we found this adorable little Labradoodle in Knoxville, TN and went on a road trip.
He instantly fit in. He was so loved and loved us all back, but he especially took to me and eventually became my shadow. I never went anywhere without Samson by my side. Ella also had a sidekick!
The morning of April 17, 2017 began just like any normal weekday. Me, my husband, and our four children all got ready for work and school while the dogs layed around. Samson was right at my feet while I got ready, he went outside to go potty, and then he and Ella went to their dog room. My husband came home around 2pm to let the dogs out to go potty and that's when normal changed...Samson could barely stand and was off balance. Lee helped him outside and noticed that his urine was dark red/brown. He immediately loaded him up, called the vet, called me, and was on his way. Once I made it to the vet, Lee and Samson were already inside. He had a fever of 105.6, very weak, and his gums were pale.
The vet got us to a room and, based on the symptoms, immediately knew that Samson was suffering from IMHA. Never hearing of this before, we soon learned that IMHA (Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia) was aquick and aggresive disease where the body begins attacking the red blood cells. Samson had bloodwork done, was prescribed 3 different medications, and we were told that the vet would call us first thing the next morning with the lab results. We walked out of the vet with a little hope and a weak 90 lb Labradoodle. The rest of the week is a bit of a blur. Samson declined quickly. He lost the ability to walk, couldn't use the bathroom, was extremely weak, and his skin had turned very yellow. On Wednesday we took our other Labradoodle in to donate blood and Samson had a blood transfusion that afternoon. The vet said Samson had a 50/50 chance of improvement with the transfusion, but that the next 24 hours were going to be critical.
Samson getting some fresh blood and Ella in the kennel behind, cheering him on.
Even the office cat hung out.
He did well through the night and was even holding his head up, wagging his tail, and drinking water Thursday morning. I thought that the transfusion just might have bought his body some time to allow all the medications to begin working and for his body to start healing.
Samson on Thursday morning.
The vet called later that afternoon and said that Samson was alert and drinking water, but had fallen weak again, His respiration was still high, but his temperature was normal. Thursday afternoon, I left work, picked up the kids, and we went to see our Sammy Boy. When we got there, I knew that he wasn't doing well.
He had become so weak that he could barely hold his head up and he was still breathing heavy. My children and I sat with my sweet boy for 2 hours. We softly pet him, talked to him, and cried. He kept jerking his head up every so often to look at us and even managed to gradually scoot closer towards me. He didn't seem to be in pain, just weak and tired. We went back and forth with going ahead and putting him down or giving him one more night. I didn't want to give up on him just yet. So after a long discussion with the vet, we decided to give him the night, come back first thing in the morning and see if the transfusion and meds had worked their magic. I hugged my big boy, kissed his head, and told him I loved him. We left the vets office a little after 6pm. About a hour later we got a call from the vet. Samson had passed away about 45 minutes after we left the office. My family is devestated. This cruel disease is a quick and aggressive killer. I believe that Samson's organs had already began to fail before the transfusion, but I had to try everything I could and not just give up on him. Samson brought a type of happiness to our family that I had never experienced before. I am sad, heartbroken, and just feel lonely without my boy by my side.
I have never used gofundme, and kind of feel weird about asking for help, but we have a very large vet bill and creating this account has been suggested by several people. 100% of the funds donated for Samson will be used to pay his vet bill. We are so grateful for any donations made. Thank you and please keep us in your prayers as we try to heal and create a new "normal".
He instantly fit in. He was so loved and loved us all back, but he especially took to me and eventually became my shadow. I never went anywhere without Samson by my side. Ella also had a sidekick!The morning of April 17, 2017 began just like any normal weekday. Me, my husband, and our four children all got ready for work and school while the dogs layed around. Samson was right at my feet while I got ready, he went outside to go potty, and then he and Ella went to their dog room. My husband came home around 2pm to let the dogs out to go potty and that's when normal changed...Samson could barely stand and was off balance. Lee helped him outside and noticed that his urine was dark red/brown. He immediately loaded him up, called the vet, called me, and was on his way. Once I made it to the vet, Lee and Samson were already inside. He had a fever of 105.6, very weak, and his gums were pale.
The vet got us to a room and, based on the symptoms, immediately knew that Samson was suffering from IMHA. Never hearing of this before, we soon learned that IMHA (Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia) was aquick and aggresive disease where the body begins attacking the red blood cells. Samson had bloodwork done, was prescribed 3 different medications, and we were told that the vet would call us first thing the next morning with the lab results. We walked out of the vet with a little hope and a weak 90 lb Labradoodle. The rest of the week is a bit of a blur. Samson declined quickly. He lost the ability to walk, couldn't use the bathroom, was extremely weak, and his skin had turned very yellow. On Wednesday we took our other Labradoodle in to donate blood and Samson had a blood transfusion that afternoon. The vet said Samson had a 50/50 chance of improvement with the transfusion, but that the next 24 hours were going to be critical.
Samson getting some fresh blood and Ella in the kennel behind, cheering him on.Even the office cat hung out.He did well through the night and was even holding his head up, wagging his tail, and drinking water Thursday morning. I thought that the transfusion just might have bought his body some time to allow all the medications to begin working and for his body to start healing.
Samson on Thursday morning.The vet called later that afternoon and said that Samson was alert and drinking water, but had fallen weak again, His respiration was still high, but his temperature was normal. Thursday afternoon, I left work, picked up the kids, and we went to see our Sammy Boy. When we got there, I knew that he wasn't doing well.
He had become so weak that he could barely hold his head up and he was still breathing heavy. My children and I sat with my sweet boy for 2 hours. We softly pet him, talked to him, and cried. He kept jerking his head up every so often to look at us and even managed to gradually scoot closer towards me. He didn't seem to be in pain, just weak and tired. We went back and forth with going ahead and putting him down or giving him one more night. I didn't want to give up on him just yet. So after a long discussion with the vet, we decided to give him the night, come back first thing in the morning and see if the transfusion and meds had worked their magic. I hugged my big boy, kissed his head, and told him I loved him. We left the vets office a little after 6pm. About a hour later we got a call from the vet. Samson had passed away about 45 minutes after we left the office. My family is devestated. This cruel disease is a quick and aggressive killer. I believe that Samson's organs had already began to fail before the transfusion, but I had to try everything I could and not just give up on him. Samson brought a type of happiness to our family that I had never experienced before. I am sad, heartbroken, and just feel lonely without my boy by my side.
I have never used gofundme, and kind of feel weird about asking for help, but we have a very large vet bill and creating this account has been suggested by several people. 100% of the funds donated for Samson will be used to pay his vet bill. We are so grateful for any donations made. Thank you and please keep us in your prayers as we try to heal and create a new "normal".
Organizer
Anna Massey Collins
Organizer
Powder Springs, GA
