In January of this year, my Boston Terrier – Rose contracted hemolytic anemia. The cause of her anemia is still unknown. Because I didn’t recognize his anemia fast enough, it almost cost him his life. Perhaps by learning the steps to recognize it, you can save your dog’s life.

Observation.The first step is to keep an eye on your dog.

* Look at your gums. Are they pale or yellow?

* Is your tongue a pale color?

* Does your dog act depressed?

* Don’t you jump on the couch anymore?

* Do they act like they can’t keep their eyes open? As if his eyelids weighed a thousand pounds.

* Have they lost their appetite?

* Do you lack energy?

* Do they growl or break easily?

Feel.The second step is to touch and feel your dog.

* Does your dog’s belly feel too hot?

* Put your hand on his chest.

* Do you feel your heart beating too fast?

* Are they breathing harder or faster than normal?

Hear.The third step is to pay attention to your breathing.

* Has your dog started snoring or is he snoring louder than usual?

* If you recognize any of these symptoms, see your vet immediately. Do not hesitate.

The last step is the treatment of canine hemolytic anemia.

Depending on the severity of the case, your dog may receive a blood transfusion. (My dog: Rose received a transfusion that was donated by a bull mastiff. Actually, the unit of blood was divided between my Boston Terrier and a poodle.)

This will likely be followed by intravenous steroids. (My dog ​​- Rose had these and they left an IV in her, like humans do for several days. I would include a photo of this now if I could. Rose was very good at leaving the IV alone).

Other treatments include the use of immunosuppressive medications. With hemolytic anemia, the dog’s own system is destroying its own red blood cells, and these medications are used to slow that destruction.

The dog’s switch to oral steroids (and IV removal) occurs after several days and the dog can go home when it is no longer losing blood (or destroying its own red blood cells).

It is now September and I have yet to administer my Rose oral steroids, an immunosuppressant, a blood pressure medication (hemolytic anemia made her heart murmur worse), multivitamin tablet and liquid forms with minerals, and a CoQ10 (also for support cardiac).

If I had not contracted this anemia and had not received treatment for my dog, he would have died.

Pay attention to the list of symptoms above and again if you recognize any of them in your dog, go to the vet immediately!