Anemia

Twice

My Bully Gave Me Wings
Feb 3, 2012
2,686
311
Woodbridge Township, NJ
Bulldog(s) Names
Abby (my Sweetie Head 10.24.11-11.23.12) and Otis
Abby's gums are pale so I ran her to the vet yesterday to get her PCV level checked. It came back a little low. Normal is between 37 and 66. Abby's level was a 30. The vet wasn't too worried about it because it's not all that low and I decided that I would just add some more leafy greens to her diet and see if I can raise that number to more within normal range.

That was yesterday. Today (as usual) I am doubting my decision. I am wondering if I should have insisted on iron pills.
 

ChanelnBrutus

Snookie ain't got nuttin on me!
Feb 6, 2012
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New Jersey
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Brutus (EBD 6/4/11), Chanel (Pitbull 12/23/06)
Abby's gums are pale so I ran her to the vet yesterday to get her PCV level checked. It came back a little low. Normal is between 37 and 66. Abby's level was a 30. The vet wasn't too worried about it because it's not all that low and I decided that I would just add some more leafy greens to her diet and see if I can raise that number to more within normal range.

That was yesterday. Today (as usual) I am doubting my decision. I am wondering if I should have insisted on iron pills.

:nonono: Stop doubting yourself! Look at how far Miss Abby has come BECAUSE OF YOU! I dont know much about anemia in bullies. Just wanted to tell you what a good mama you are to her! Cant wait to meet you guys next week
 

cali~jenn

..........
Mar 28, 2010
0
419
Southern California
Bulldog(s) Names
Cutty, Miila and Mugsy the pug :)
No help here but I think iron pills are bad for them? I could be wrong but I know they are BAD for babies/kids. Had to take them while prego and I know I was told by someone to dump them as soon as I didnt need them anymore cuz they are toxic to kids. Not sure on dogs but I thought so. Natural is better all around, you were right. Unless you see signs that isnt good enough anyhow.
 
OP
Twice

Twice

My Bully Gave Me Wings
Feb 3, 2012
2,686
311
Woodbridge Township, NJ
Bulldog(s) Names
Abby (my Sweetie Head 10.24.11-11.23.12) and Otis
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  • #4
:nonono: Stop doubting yourself!

Oh please! Girl I doubt every decision I make lol

No help here but I think iron pills are bad for them? I could be wrong but I know they are BAD for babies/kids. Had to take them while prego and I know I was told by someone to dump them as soon as I didnt need them anymore cuz they are toxic to kids. Not sure on dogs but I thought so. Natural is better all around, you were right. Unless you see signs that isnt good enough anyhow.

Normally this is true. But Abby's kidneys don't work properly. She isn't producing enough of the hormone needed to create red blood cells (erythropoietin or EPO) and this is what causes the anemia. If her PCV value bottoms out I can give her synthetic EPO injections or we could begin with an iron supplement therapy and hope it never gets that low.

Everything in me says to increase the leafy greens in her diet. But what if I'm wrong?
 

ChanelnBrutus

Snookie ain't got nuttin on me!
Feb 6, 2012
4,928
181
New Jersey
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Brutus (EBD 6/4/11), Chanel (Pitbull 12/23/06)
Oh please! Girl I doubt every decision I make lol



Normally this is true. But Abby's kidneys don't work properly. She isn't producing enough of the hormone needed to create red blood cells (erythropoietin or EPO) and this is what causes the anemia. If her PCV value bottoms out I can give her synthetic EPO injections or we could begin with an iron supplement therapy and hope it never gets that low.

Everything in me says to increase the leafy greens in her diet. But what if I'm wrong?

Bev if there is anything I can do for you I am 20 mins away! Anything at all message me!
 

cali~jenn

..........
Mar 28, 2010
0
419
Southern California
Bulldog(s) Names
Cutty, Miila and Mugsy the pug :)
Oh please! Girl I doubt every decision I make lol



Normally this is true. But Abby's kidneys don't work properly. She isn't producing enough of the hormone needed to create red blood cells (erythropoietin or EPO) and this is what causes the anemia. If her PCV value bottoms out I can give her synthetic EPO injections or we could begin with an iron supplement therapy and hope it never gets that low.

Everything in me says to increase the leafy greens in her diet. But what if I'm wrong?
Oh I see. I always say go with your gut. If you think leafy greens is best then do it. Could it hurt? I do not know much about this but what is the worst that could happen by giving spinach to boost it?
 
OP
Twice

Twice

My Bully Gave Me Wings
Feb 3, 2012
2,686
311
Woodbridge Township, NJ
Bulldog(s) Names
Abby (my Sweetie Head 10.24.11-11.23.12) and Otis
  • Thread Starter
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  • #7
Bev if there is anything I can do for you I am 20 mins away! Anything at all message me!

Thanks Roe :hug: I just sometimes worry that I'm not doing enough. Every test we get show's something else going wrong. And I guess that's to be expected with her but it still keeps me up at night.

Oh I see. I always say go with your gut. If you think leafy greens is best then do it. Could it hurt? I do not know much about this but what is the worst that could happen by giving spinach to boost it?

Between what's going on with Abby and my aunt dying last month I have become half an expert on kidney disease and failure (my aunt quit dialysis after 7 years of it and died a couple of weeks later).

I guess it can't hurt to try more spinach and peas for a couple of weeks, see if it makes a difference. I just worry that if the numbers keep dropping I won't be able to get them back up and I will lose her.
 

ChanelnBrutus

Snookie ain't got nuttin on me!
Feb 6, 2012
4,928
181
New Jersey
Bulldog(s) Names
Brutus (EBD 6/4/11), Chanel (Pitbull 12/23/06)
Thanks Roe :hug: I just sometimes worry that I'm not doing enough. Every test we get show's something else going wrong. And I guess that's to be expected with her but it still keeps me up at night.



Between what's going on with Abby and my aunt dying last month I have become half an expert on kidney disease and failure (my aunt quit dialysis after 7 years of it and died a couple of weeks later).

I guess it can't hurt to try more spinach and peas for a couple of weeks, see if it makes a difference. I just worry that if the numbers keep dropping I won't be able to get them back up and I will lose her.

I cant even imagine the worries you have with her! I mean ANYTIME TOO! :hug: to you and Miss Abby!
 

cali~jenn

..........
Mar 28, 2010
0
419
Southern California
Bulldog(s) Names
Cutty, Miila and Mugsy the pug :)
Thanks Roe :hug: I just sometimes worry that I'm not doing enough. Every test we get show's something else going wrong. And I guess that's to be expected with her but it still keeps me up at night.



Between what's going on with Abby and my aunt dying last month I have become half an expert on kidney disease and failure (my aunt quit dialysis after 7 years of it and died a couple of weeks later).

I guess it can't hurt to try more spinach and peas for a couple of weeks, see if it makes a difference. I just worry that if the numbers keep dropping I won't be able to get them back up and I will lose her.
I can not imagine. We worry enough in a day with perfect pups. :( Do you go in often to check her levels? Maybe try it for a week and see if there is any change?
 

cali~jenn

..........
Mar 28, 2010
0
419
Southern California
Bulldog(s) Names
Cutty, Miila and Mugsy the pug :)
Oh and I am very sorry for your loss of your Aunt. :*( Kidney disease is also in my family, thankfully not in my direct line but my grandmas sister had been on dialysis for many many years. Hard life.
 

Davidh

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Mar 21, 2011
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I say go with your gut, you have done a wonderful job with her so far and she is a lucky little girl to have you. You have already extended her life and her quality of life. You have done a great job with her.
 
OP
Twice

Twice

My Bully Gave Me Wings
Feb 3, 2012
2,686
311
Woodbridge Township, NJ
Bulldog(s) Names
Abby (my Sweetie Head 10.24.11-11.23.12) and Otis
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  • #12
I can not imagine. We worry enough in a day with perfect pups. :( Do you go in often to check her levels? Maybe try it for a week and see if there is any change?

She goes to the specialist for retests every 5 weeks but if I have an immediate concern (like the white gums yesterday) I take her to my regular vet. What's great about that is that they are considering anytime I bring her in as a follow up visit so I only have to pay 19.00. I also have her doctors cell phone number for after hour questions or stuff that doesn't need an office visit for (like when I needed to know if I was giving her too much vitamin b) Since I live with her and can see day to day changes, they are leaving most of her treatment decisions to me. If I see her having tremors I can increase the amount or frequency of the subq fluids I give her.

I had read an article in one of the veterinary journals that said low protein was not always the right way to go for CRF, especially for puppies. It said that low protein could lead to malnutrition and that high quality protein was still safe. I know that her body can't tolerate the protein in meat and I know that she is far from malnourished but, stupid me, I tried it anyway. For a day and a half she had 3 ounces of raw ground beef twice a day. Normally when I feed her I just eyeball the amounts I give her but this time I followed the instructions to the letter! Halfway into the second day the tremors started. I gave her fluids that afternoon and again the next morning to flush that stuff out of her.

So see? Even though I think I know what she needs, sometimes I question myself and do something new and I am so afraid that I will hurt her :( That's why I'm so worried about the iron level today. Yesterday I thought I was doing the right thing but I thought that when I almost killed her with the meat too.
 
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2BullyMama

I'm not OCD....now who moved my bulldog?
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:nonono: Stop doubting yourself! Look at how far Miss Abby has come BECAUSE OF YOU! I dont know much about anemia in bullies. Just wanted to tell you what a good mama you are to her! Cant wait to meet you guys next week

WELL SAID!!! agree
 

Bella'sMom

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are there other foods but greens and meats that will help? I had real bad anemia once and all the greens and liver didn't help. The Doctor said only Ferrous Sulfate pills, not just "iron" pills was the way to go. I know there are drops you can get for kids....also what about baby formula with iron? Would that help her at all?
 

bullmama

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She goes to the specialist for retests every 5 weeks but if I have an immediate concern (like the white gums yesterday) I take her to my regular vet. What's great about that is that they are considering anytime I bring her in as a follow up visit so I only have to pay 19.00. I also have her doctors cell phone number for after hour questions or stuff that doesn't need an office visit for (like when I needed to know if I was giving her too much vitamin b) Since I live with her and can see day to day changes, they are leaving most of her treatment decisions to me. If I see her having tremors I can increase the amount or frequency of the subq fluids I give her.

I had read an article in one of the veterinary journals that said low protein was not always the right way to go for CRF, especially for puppies. It said that low protein could lead to malnutrition and that high quality protein was still safe. I know that her body can't tolerate the protein in meat and I know that she is far from malnourished but, stupid me, I tried it anyway. For a day and a half she had 3 ounces of raw ground beef twice a day. Normally when I feed her I just eyeball the amounts I give her but this time I followed the instructions to the letter! Halfway into the second day the tremors started. I gave her fluids that afternoon and again the next morning to flush that stuff out of her.

So see? Even though I think I know what she needs, sometimes I question myself and do something new and I am so afraid that I will hurt her :( That's why I'm so worried about the iron level today. Yesterday I thought I was doing the right thing but I thought that when I almost killed her with the meat too.

(((Hugs))) you are doing a good job and there will be trial and error, especially with what you are dealing with. You knew to stop and what caused it- that really says a lot!

Maybe you could implement both ideas, an iron pill every other day along with the added leafy greens?

[MENTION=390]cali~jenn[/MENTION] I think too much iron in kids is what is bad, causes constipation. But kids really need a vitamin with iron in it or a good diet with iron. Gummy vitamins have no iron, which is bad. But they have to leave it out in case a child decides to snack on them as candy, since they are made specifically to entice children to have a vitamin.
 

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