Rescued and adopted, Sawyer beats odds again

Amelia Larkin’s beloved 2-year-old dog was diagnosed with an acute autoimmune disease. Sawyer, who was adopted from an animal shelter, was given just a 20% chance of survival.

Sawyer was diagnosed with a life-threatening condition known as immune mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA). The disease, which affects dogs, cats, and even humans, causes the body’s immune system to destroy its own red blood cells. These important cells carry oxygen from the lungs throughout the body.

“Sawyer’s IMHA was so severe that he needed seven blood transfusions,” Amelia says. “I went thousands of dollars into debt to save his life. But after adopting him from a shelter, he had helped me deal with the passing of my dad. So there was no way I was going to give up on the little guy!”

The veterinarians told Amelia that Sawyer’s allergies to airborne pollutants such as mold spores were triggering some of his IMHA symptoms, including skin and breathing problems. Controlling his exposure to these triggers, they said, could be the key to his survival.

Fortunately, the mother of one of Amelia’s students (Amelia is a tennis teacher) came to Sawyer’s rescue while he was in remission.

“She was concerned when I told her Sawyer wasn’t doing well,” Amelia says. “She surprised me with the IQAir HealthPro^®Plus as a gift after one of her daughter’s lessons.”

Sawyer’s symptoms began clearing up within two or three weeks,” Amelia says. “I haven’t turned the HealthPro Plus off since. It’s helped to prevent a recurrence of Sawyer’s IMHA by eliminating mold spores and other airborne allergens. And he loves the soothing sound the system makes — it actually lulls him to sleep!”

Amelia has noticed her own respiratory illnesses have also improved since she brought home the HealthPro Plus.

“Sawyer and I are so lucky to have the HealthPro Plus in our home,” says Amelia. “It saved his life and has helped keep me healthy as an active tennis coach.”

Though Sawyer’s veterinarians gave him just a one in five chance of survival four years earlier, Sawyer celebrated his sixth birthday recently. After being rescued and adopted early in life, Sawyer has beaten the odds again.