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Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Joey udate and help needed with diet
| Hi everyone, Joey's latest PCV has come back at 41 which is great news for us.It has been between 41 - 43 for the past 34 months and means as long as he's ok he doesn't get another check until January.We have gradually decreased his piriton from 12mgs to 8mgs but he is sneezing a bit so may have to up it again.The bad news was that he only lost 1/3gram last month and when weighed this month had put on 1kg inspite of having more exercise.My vet said he won't win any prizes at weight watchers but I'm sure the family will!I don't know where to go with this.At the time he was on James Wellbeloved white fish and rice kibble but I was told to put him on the light diet.We've been increasing this slowly and he's now on 1 meal (am) of total light diet and the 2nd evening meal is mixed between light and normal kibble.Over the weekend he started to eat dirt out of my flowerpots again and seems starving hungry.I phoned my vet as I was worried that this might trigger his illness again and she said that it was because of the drop in calories and he will get over it given time.Although he weighs 29kgs we've been told to feed him at maximum Border Collie weight (25kgs).Has anyone else experience of this?It's now 13 months since he was first diagnosed and i don't want things to go wrong again.Also as he's a sensitive tum I don't really want to change his food again. |
| Corrie Dagenham Essex UK |
| Corrie, This is probably a condition called geophagy. This is "eating earthy or soil-like substances such as clay, and chalk, in order to obtain essential nutrients such as sulfur and phosphorus from the soil." This is known around the world not only in dogs but also in humans who live in some underdeveloped countries. Dogs also eat dirt in an effort to get rid of internal parasites or to try to flush their digestive system of something that is irritating. I suspect, though, that in Joey's case he has been on a very restricted diet for awhile and may be deficient in some minerals that are triggering his desire to eat dirt. If he is deficient in minerals he may be also deficient in some vitamins as well. This is not uncommon and has been discussed on several canine lists I am on. If this were me I would talk to the vet about finding a good vitamin mineral supplement for him to see if this will help! my best patrice |
| Patrice NYS |
| corrie/joey- just wanted to say congrats on 13 months, that is to be applauded. |
| josh california |
| Corrie, sounds like you're doing all the right things for Joey as far as his PCV goes. Hopefully you'll get the sneezing and the weight under control. I'm sure these are only minor roadblocks compared to what you probably already had to go through. High paws from Tessy to Joey for a job well done. Johnny & Tessy |
| Johnny |
This thread was discussed between 27/10/2009 and 08/11/2009
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