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In January of this year, my Boston Terrier, Rose, developed hemolytic anemia. The cause of her anemia is still unknown. Because I didn’t recognize her anemia fast enough, it almost cost her her life. Maybe by learning the steps to recognize it, you can save your dog’s life.
Observation.The first step is to look at your dog.
* Look at their gums. Are they pale or yellow in color?
* Is the tongue pale in color?
* Does your dog look depressed?
* Aren’t they jumping on the couch anymore?
* Do they act that they can’t keep their eyes open? Their eyelids weigh a thousand pounds.
* Have they lost their appetite?
* Do they lack energy?
* Do they growl or click easily?
I feel it.The second step is to touch and feel your dog.
* Does your dog’s belly feel too warm?
* Place your hand on their chest.
* Does their heart feel that it is beating too fast?
* Do they breathe harder or faster than normal?
I’m listening.The third step is to pay attention to their breathing.
* Has your dog started snoring or snoring louder than usual?
* If you recognize any of these symptoms, see your veterinarian immediately. Do not hesitate.
The last step is to treat hemolytic anemia in dogs.
Depending on the severity of the case, your dog may receive a blood transfusion. (My dog, Rose, received a blood transfusion donated by a mastiff bull. In fact, the unit of blood was divided between my Boston Terrier and a poodle.)
This will probably be followed by IV steroids. (My dog, Rose, had them, and they gave her intravenous access, as did people for a few days. I’d include a picture of that now if I could. Rose was very good at leaving IV alone.)
Other treatments include the use of immunosuppressants. In hemolytic anemia, the dog’s own system destroys its own red blood cells, and these drugs are used to delay this destruction.
The dog’s switch to oral steroids (and removal of IV) occurs after a few days, and the dog can go home when it is no longer losing blood (or destroying its own red blood cells).
It’s September and I still have to give my Rose oral steroids, an immunosuppressant, a blood pressure medication (hemolytic anemia causes worsening heart murmurs), liquid and tablet forms of multivitamins with minerals and CoQ10 (also to support the heart).
If I hadn’t caught this anemia and treated my dog, she would have died.
Please pay attention to the list of symptoms above and again, if you recognize any of them in your dog – go to the vet immediately!