Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA)

Last weekend one of our dogs, Ellie (who had a splenectomy a year ago), started acting lethargic and her breathing seemed labored. After taking her to the vet and running some tests he referred us to Gulf Coast Veterinary Internal Medicine and Critical Care where she received a blood transfusion and it was confirmed; Ellie has immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (extravascular). In other words her immune system suddenly started destroying her own red blood cells. She was hospitalized for a couple days after the transfusion while they worked on getting her PCV (packed cell volume) count up. She is now home and is on several medications to try and control the immune system which is causing the anemia. She will be on them long term and will also need regular blood tests while we monitor her progress. She is doing well but the recovery will take awhile. 

Experts say some cases may have an underlying cause but 60 - 70% of dogs with IMHA do not have an apparent cause. There are a  few breeds like the cocker spaniels, poodles, Old English Sheepdogs and Irish setters that are predisposed to the development of it. To learn more about this serious disease you can visit these websites:  http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson/ and http://www.peppypaws.com/LillisLegacy.html

We are fortunate enough to have some of the best veterinary specialists here in Houston should we need them. Miss Ellie has been to the specialists before to have arthroscopic surgery for elbow dysplasia in 2008. Though she is 13, which is old for a dog, she is in good health other than this anemia. We are blessed to have her with us this Christmas and cherish the time we have together which hopefully will be a lot longer.

12/19/11 UPDATE: Good news! We just got the lab results back for infectious diseases and Ellie tested positive for Mycoplasma haemocanis. This apparently can be a problem in dogs that have had their spleens removed, which Ellie did. Why is this good news? That means Ellie is in the 30 - 40% that have a known cause of the immune-mediated hemolytic anemia. The Mycoplasma which causes the anemia can be treated with medications (prednisone and antibiotics) and once we get rid of that her anemia will be cured! This is really good news! We are so blessed. We are going in for a blood test tomorrow and to change up her medications. I don't know that much about Mycoplasma yet but will be updating you as I learn more. 

12/22/11 UPDATE: Ellie is doing much better and her PCV is on it's way back up to the normal range. There is little information available on Mycoplasma in dogs. What I have learned is this: Mycoplasma is transmitted by either fleas or ticks. It doesn't normally affect most dogs if they have it but if their spleen is removed, it can cause the immune-mediated hemolytic anemia. It's not known whether she contracted the Mycoplasma some time ago (before she had her spleen removed)  and then (a year) after her spleen was removed it causes the IMHA or if it was contracted more recently, since the removal of her spleen. It's also possible for her to get this Mycoplasma again in the future and because of this, we will be not only continue to use a monthly flea treatment (like we always have) but will need to also give her a monthly tick preventative to be on the safe side.

Favorite Pet Product of the Month

Hemp Leash w/Fleece-Lined Handle

After almost a decade of professional pet sitting I think I have seen or used every kind of leash, collar or harness there is. I didn't know there was so many!

Having the right tools while walking dogs makes all the difference. My first priority is safety. I want to have complete control over the dog (for it's sake and/or anyone else's sake) which means not having him/her more than six feet away from me on a good, strong leash usually made of nylon, hemp or leather. My favorite is the Eco-friendly hemp leash by Planet Dog. Planet Dog Hemp Leashes are made of one of nature's most durable fibers. Hemp tends to get soft over time, but it stays strong, which makes it the perfect material for collars and leashes. My favorite part is they come with a cozy fleece-lined handle providing ultimate comfort , which I just love! The leashes are 1" wide and 5' long (for medium and large dogs). For small dogs, there is the Small Hemp Leash which is 1/2" wide and 5' long. Machine washable, air dry. They are well made and the most comfortable leash I've ever used. They come in a variety of colors.The fleece-lined collars are soft and comfy too!

Mendota British Style Slip Lead

Another favorite and probably the leash I use the most is the (Mendota British style) slip-lead. It's a collar and leash in one. This slip lead features premium, strong, 1/2" solid braid multi-filament UV coated polypropylene rope, leather sleeves and brass ring. Used by trainers, field trial and hunting test participants. The adjustable leather slide keeps "collar" in place eliminating slipping off, yet releasing properly in relaxed position. "Broken-in" feel is easy on the hands and allows easy folding to fit in a pocket. 1/2" x 6 feet for medium to large dogs, 3/8" x 6' for small dogs. Quick and easy to put on and take off, these slip leads have quickly become a favorite for their quality, workmanship and simplicity. Handcrafted in the USA using only the finest materials, these dog leads are waterproof, colorfast and UV coated to protect against fading. A dog cannot slip out of this leash which is one of the reasons why I like it so much. I've had dogs slip out of their collars and I even had a dog back out of her harness! Another reason why I like it so much is if you position the collar high on the neck, just below the ears and slide the leather slide to keep it in place there, while holding the leash close to the collar, it keeps dogs that like to pull from pulling. It's also great to have handy for catching a loose dog.

Although for small dogs (especially if they like to pull) I prefer they wear a harness with a regular leash as their tiny  little necks are delicate, these slip leads are great if you have one that tends to pull out of his/her collar.

Pet Product of the Month

My favorite large pet fountain.

As a pet sitter and a pet parent I always make sure all  pets have fresh clean water. Just like us, dogs and cats bodies are comprised of mostly water. While most people don't consider water a nutrient, it is without a doubt the most important one. While your pet's food can supply a little or a lot of your pet's daily water needs, (dry food contains up to 10% moisture and canned foods have up to 78% moisture) water is the one thing to which your pet should have unlimited access. Animals know when they're thirsty and they should have free access to clean containers of pure, healthy water at all times.

Anything to encourage more water intake is helpful particularly for cats, who by nature, aren't big drinkers. Putting various kinds and sizes of water bowls in different locations around the house helps to encourage more drinking. If your pets go outside be sure to keep bowls of fresh water there as well. Pet water fountains are great forthose pets that like to drink out of faucets or prefer running water. We go through a lot of water at my house and  the stainless steel fountain shown above is one that is big enough for my eight pets. It's very quiet too. I have another smaller one (below) just for the cats in another room. The water stays fresh and oxygenated, plus the fountains come with filters that you change out every few months. (Be sure to buy plenty of extra filters!) I find it's best to use filtered or bottled water in pet fountains. They do have to be cleaned periodically but I have found them to be easy to clean. Some models have reservoirs to hold extra water so you don't have to add water as often. There are probably a dozen different types of pet fountains. You can find them at most pet supply stores. Try doing an on-line search to find the different models and the best prices.

This model has a reservoir.

Another one of my favorites.
This model comes with or without a reservoir .

Pet Product of the Month

As a pet sitter, giving medications to pets is a big part of my job. It can also be the biggest challenge, especially when it comes to medicating cats. Dogs are usually pretty easy considering they will eat almost anything you wrap a pill in; peanut butter, cream cheese, cheese, wet food meatball, hot dog, bread, etc. Some dogs will eat a pill if you just throw it in with their food. One of our dogs (Duke) has hypothyroid and has to take a pill twice a day. I typically give it to him in a small piece of cheese. He thinks "getting his pill" is actually getting a treat and looks forward to it. He will usually remind me if I forget too. Of course our other three dogs think they are missing out and they come running to get a "pill" too! No problem giving pills to these dogs! Dogs are easy! (Except if they don't want to eat anything in which case you give it the old fashioned way - down the throat.)

On the other hand, cats can sometimes be much more difficult to give medications to! (And yes, there are some cats I cannot administer medications to.) With cats you have to be creative. If you have a cat who doesn't mind getting pilled or taking some liquid medication, that's great. Some cats are real easy-going about taking oral medications and even shots like insulin injections. Some cats may be easy-going for their people-parents and not so happy about it when someone else is doing it! I have administered just about every kind of medication in a variety of ways. Of course it's better if you can give a cat medication without it knowing it's getting it; like hiding it in their wet food. Some medications can be compounded into special kitty flavored soft treats (check with your veterinarian). If your cat likes the treats (ask for placebos to try first) this works great! Some medications can be compounded into creams that you just wipe inside their ear and it is absorbed through the skin. In some cases this is much easier especially if the cat needs medication long term and is not a good candidate for pilling and won't eat the treats. 

Another great invention is Pill Pockets! These are small soft treats shaped like a cup. You put the pill in the cup and pinch it shut. Pill Pockets come in several different flavors; for dogs: beef, chicken or duck and pea for dogs with allergies; for cats: salmon, chicken or the duck and pea for cats with allergies. Of course, again, the key is the cat has to like the treats. Some cats may like one flavor and not the other. You may have to rotate the flavors when they get tired of one. For this reason I keep all three flavors on hand. If your cat likes the Pill Pockets it makes giving medications so easy and stress free. (Tip: If the pill is really small, try using just a half of a pill pocket.) With cats you just have to be creative and try different methods to see which one works best for your feline with the least amount of stress for the both of you!

Pill Pockets can be purchased at most retail or on-line pet supply stores. I found the best price at  PetSuppliesDelivered.com. (If placing your first order from them, tell them Beth VanDusen/customer # 16230690 referred you.)

Pet Product of the Month

Does your dog eat too fast? Inhaling their food in one or two gulps is not healthy and increases the risk of bloat. Bloat is not only an extremely painful condition but a serious life-threatening condition.

"In the bloated stomach, gas and/or food stretches the stomach many times its normal size, causing tremendous abdominal pain. For reasons we do not fully understand, this grossly distended stomach has a tendency to rotate, thus twisting off not only its own blood supply but the only exit routes for the gas inside. Not only is this condition extremely painful but it is also rapidly life-threatening. A dog with a bloated, twisted stomach (more scientifically called gastric dilatation and volvulus) will die in pain in a matter of hours unless drastic steps are taken."

If you ever see your dog show these symptoms take them to the vet immediately: 
            
              distended stomach
         vomiting; the pet appears highly nauseated and is retching but little is coming up 

Emergency surgery is needed within a matter of hours or they will die. Be sure you know where the closest emergency clinic is that is open during the night and weekends. 

Although the Great Dane, St. Bernard and Weimaraners have the highest risks of bloat according to one study, any dog can get it, especially those dogs with deep, narrow chests. I had a client who's wire-haired dachshund developed bloat and had emergency surgery. To prevent this from happening, avoid exercising your dog after a large meal. If you only feed once a day, start feeding them twice a day, it's better for them any way. If your dog eats too fast, there are slow-eat bowls available now in several different designs. I have several clients and family members who use them and report they really do help them to eat slower. You can find several different styles on-line at various pet supply retailers. Just do a search for slow eat dog bowls. I prefer stainless steel to plastic but unfortunately there are more styles available in plastic than stainless steel.

Plants and Pets

One of the best resources I've found for looking up poisonous plants to pets is the ASPCA's Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants. They have a great database with not only photos and details of each plant but you can sort the lists by toxic or non-toxic, for dogs, cats or horses.

Vaccine Insights

Here's informative videos presented by Dr. Patricia Jordan on the safety of vaccines.