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Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - HELP with edema from blood clot
| Lucy went back to NC vet school for her back leg. It is so swollen with edema that its hard for her to walk. Dr. did an ultra sound and found out that it's all do to a clot that runs the whole length of her leg. The clot starts where the vein splits down the leg to about her heel area. The leg is so swollen that it looks like its going to pop. They increased her blood thinner and told me to rotate between heat and cold with massage after with regular small walks. I have been doing this about 5 to 6 times a day. But it doesn't look like it is getting any better. When we walk or she stands on it to long it seems to get worse. The Dr. did say that the good thing was that the clot was in different stages. Where it looks like its trying to dissolve. Is there anything else I can do to make the fluid move? I don't wanna put her back on pain meds. Any advice will help. Thank You! Dana |
| Dana NC |
| Dana, Drawing from my pt background, this is essentially the same kind of approach they take with humans. However, I was taught NOT to do massages, that it was contraindicated in lower limb edema with clots because it can artificially disturb clots back into general circulation and they can go to the lungs. So that is where I have a concern. However, do not use my statement to stop doing what your vet has prescribed! So there are two things that are happening, one is the clot and the second is the fluid leaking into interstitial tissues located in the legs. Managing the clot with meds is correct. And managing the fluids with warm/cold compresses is good. Combining that with careful ambulation is appropriate. The large muscles of the leg help compress the fluid back into venous circulation. Dogs don't have the same really large leg muscles as humans, but it's probably sufficient. Since I am also very involved in aquatic therapy I can highly suggest water walking (or even standing). This is an excellent and safe way to provide further gentle compression of the limbs and is often prescribed for folks who have edema. Do you have any place where you can walk her in water? You will be amazed at how well this works. Ever sat in the tub for a long time and your finger tips got all puckered up? They often recommend regular daily elevation of the limb to humans, but darn if I can figure out how you could coax a dog to "put your feet up and relax for a bit." But limbs that are constantly vertical can imped the venous return. The lymph nodes can be impacted as well. That system essentially travels the body in a similar way to the veins, but the progress is much slower. Massage therapy is often used for woman who have had lymph nodes removed for breast cancer. my best patrice |
| Patrice NYS |
This thread was discussed on 20/08/2011
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