Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Bloody Diarrhea ???

OMG ... Not another road block !!!! Gunner had some diarrhea yesterday, nothing he hadn't had once in a while in the past ... Just now we let him out and he went, my husband went out with a flash light and it was blood !! Red not dark .. pure blood. He is acting ok , eating, drinking nothing too out of the ordinary !!! What the hell could this be, he has an appointment tomorrow for his elbow issue, I'm ready to lose it here ! This poor dog .. I feel aweful for him .. I'm so scared for him to lose any blood !!!!

jacki

Jacki, I don't know about dogs, but if that happens to a human, red bloody stole are usually due to hemorrhoids or fissures. If the blood is darker, it's from higher up in the colon. Hopefully this holds true for animals as well. Don't lose it yet! I've been spending enough time at VSEC in Langhorne with Beau - don't want to see you there too - they don't need the additional $$$ - they're getting enough from me! Sharon

Sharon PA

Ughh Sharon I feel your pain, I've spent thousandSSSSS there ... but I think I'm going to have to take him tomorrow. He's sleeping now and I'll be on the floor next to him all night. He hasn;t had to go back out since the last time, so I'm hoping thats a good sign. THis poor guy has been through sooo much ! SO many different things too !!! I just get one thing under control and POOF something else happens !!! How Beau doing ?

jacki

Jacki, it is a roller coaster alright... I am hoping the blood you are seeing is just from irritated intestines. is he on a stomach protectant? I think it is wise to take him in tomorrow. of course these things always happen after hours or on Sundays. your vet is most likely giving him (yet another) medication for the diarrhea (metronidazole) that should clear it up fairly quick. Try and get some canned plain pumpkin. Not the pie filling just plain pumpkin and add a good table spoon to his food. that will help to keep stools firm. Funny enough it also helps with constipation. The pumpkin is an excellent source of fiber for dogs. Relax, take a deep breath and keep us posted! Best wishes, Brigitte

Brigitte BC Canada

It might be a good idea to try fasting him for the day. Then slowly introduce some bland food. Tessy had the exact issues when she was dealing with this disease. It would just shoot outta her! I ended up having to use metronidazole on her! Good luck and keep us posted. Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

Hey Johnny , Was it just blood ? Gunner's is just blood. Ughh I'm freakin out ! I haven't given him anything yet to eat. I am taking him to the vet today as soon as they open. I'm just praying it nothing too serious!! Brigitte .. my last message didn't go through i guess, yes he is on stomach protectant. Please say a prayer, I don't know if we financially we can handle something new in this proccess. We are over our heads now !!!

jacki

Sending our prayers for Gunner, please let us know how he makes out at the vet today. I to have made a major contribution to VSEC in Langhorne, I guess we are helping them pay for their new building. Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pinevile PA

Just pure blood? Red? Is it lots or small amounts? Is there a chance he may have eaten something like a chicken bone...or somehting similar? It's quite possible that it may have started out normal and irritated the lower intestinal lining to the point that it caused bleeding. Can you get a sample to take with you to the vet to have them check it out? A fecal may be a good start to rule out things like parasites, colitis, giardia, cocidia, infections, etc. You're going to also want to make sure he isn't dehydrated. Check by lifting up the scruff on hte back of the neck and then letting go. If it falls back into place then he isn't dehydrated. If it falls slowly or tents then he's dehydrated. In this case a vet visit for sure! For now avoid food and water (only water if dehydrated) for as long as possible up to 24hrs. May be difficult while giving meds though. My thoughts and prayers arew with you both. Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

Yes just pure blood. He seems to want to go number 2 and gets in the position and seems to be struggling and then just blood comes out. A medium amount. He did get a chicken bone on Sunday or Monday, would it take that long to cause a problem ? OMG ... he never ever steals food, but since being on the pred he is awlays sniffing around for something, we are alwasys so careful !!!!!! What would they do if thats the case, surgery ?? Could he even survive that with all thats going on? My vet opens at 1:30, I'm counting the minutes !!! This poor dog :( I feel horrible Thanks for taking the time to listen and help with your thoughts BTW... he's not dehydrated and seems to want to eat and has been drinking . I haven't given him his morning meds yet , wasn't sure what to do ????

jacki

What is he taking currently for meds?

Johnny

If I were you I'd give him the meds. Best to avoid a potential relapse!

Johnny

Hey everyone ... I'm so sorry I have been having computer issues and haven't been online. Update, apparently they think Gunner has a bad case of colitis !!!!! His red blood count dropped from 39 to 34. Which I figured since he has lost so much blood. His gums look a lot pinker now!! Thank god. He is on 5 new meds in addition to what he was previously on! THe next day he had a more solid looking stool, no BLOOD . Thank god! We were so scared. I watch him like a hawk, he is such a good boy to be dealing with all this. I love my buddy ! But without all of you, I have no idea where we would be. I can not thank you all enough for all your help and advice, it has truly been a GOD SEND !!

jacki jacki.fusion@yahoo.com

Jacki, Glad to hear that Gunner is doing better. The drop is not too bad and like you said it probably had to do with the other issue. What meds have they added?

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

This thread was discussed between 20/03/2011 and 26/03/2011

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