Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Ruger still barely eating

Ruger is still acting exactly the same...I keep thinking I will see some improvement but nothing. My biggest concern is he is still barely eating anything. I can get him to eat a little chicken and steak but small amounts and not very often. Any suggestions? Did anyone else's dog take awhile to get their appetite back? He goes in tomorrow for PCV. We are praying it has at least gone up!

jaime Parker

Tessy was the same way before the meds started to really kick in. She was picky with everything. Now's the time to be creative and try different things. I fed Tessy everything from potatoes, chicken, beens, LIVER (a huge hit when she was picky), beef heart, lean boiled hamburger, steak, etc. Just keep trying. Every little bit helps. If he completely stops eating then you might have to bring him back to the vet for a little stay and they might put him on a drip to get the nutrients into him he needs. Most of us have been in this exact situation. Are you able to give him his pills on time? This is super important. At this point we do not want him to miss a single dose. For this I used to hide the meds in ice cream and Tessy would gobble it right down (yeah....she's a sucker for ice cream!). It's going to take some time before you start seeing any improvement. It's the little things you'll see that'll improve. For example you said he wasn't as yellow as he was in the beginning so that's a very good improvement. Try to keep him calm and rested as much as possible. I'll keep him in my thoughts and prayers. Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

Hi Jaime, Johnny has given you good ideas. We also liked chicken broth, steamed white rice, boiled and shredded chicken, soft canned dog food, boiled sweet potatoes, scrambled egg, etc. Start with very small portions, and just watch the fat (ie, steak is not a great choice, they are very susceptible to pancreatitis). Our best to Ruger and you. melissa and tiggs

melissa slc

Hi Jaime - We had very good luck with plain meat baby food - just chicken/chicken broth, beef/beef broth, etc. Be sure to read the ingredient line to be sure there are no onions or garlic. It's very palatable and, importantly, bland/easy on their systems. Our ER hospital used it when re-introducing solid food and sent us home on it. I would avoid anything that is too rich or high in fat -as Melissa said, many of the immuno-supressant meds can put them at risk of pancreatitis so you don't want to exacerbate that risk with fatty foods. Good luck with Ruger - it sounds like you are all over this and he's getting good care at CSU - both are so important! Bonnie

Bonnie Chicago

It is so hard to get them to eat when they don't want to and Johnny has given you some very good tips. I have used baby food in the past just make sure it does not contain onions. Any type of improvement will come in small baby steps and it will take a few weeks before the meds really kick in. Ginger pretty much got what ever she would eat for a few weeks and I was afraid she would never go back to her old diet again after being so spoiled but she did. If Rugers PCV has not gone up or has gone down perhaps it might be a good time to ask your vet again about the cyclosporine as that takes about 3-4 weeks and you should not wait to long. How many tablets of the Bioprep are you giving him? Sending our prayers your way. Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA

Yes indeed, watch out for fatty foods as pancreatitis is the danger there - and I know that first hand. When Riley was first diagnosed, he would not eat anything, not interested, and the vet struggled and then suddenly said "I know, cat food", and Riley gulped a small quantity of that, but of course it is way too rich for the whole time. I agree with the other posts. I now boil chicken breasts, steamed vegetables and some probiotic yoghurt - its quite yummy. I got this on some sites that Patrice guided me to - pretty much what Melissa has said. Riley never had any inclination much for food, but the pred has taken care of that. Best wishes for a better PCV, and lots of prayers and white light coming your way. Stay in touch.

Silka Melbourne Australia

Oh cool, Jaime, we went to CSU as well, but just for another opinion since we lived in Ft. Collins for 9 years. We met with Dr. Christine Bradbury, she was a vet who was also doing her PhD in Immunonology and was studying under another vet there who is doing a Meisha's Hope funded Morris Animal Foundation study...can't remember her name, but we were treated very well there.

melissa slc

Johnny thanks for the Liver suggestion. That is the only thing he will eat but he gets excited for it. He loves it! So happy he finally ate something today - I was getting so nervous. Melissa..Dr Bradbury is Ruger's doctor! She is wonderful. We had taken Ruger to a local emergency clinic and the dr. basically told me not to try and to put him to sleep. Then my mom suggested I called CSU and I got Dr. Bradbury on the phone. (lucky she was on emergency that weekend)She gave us hope and we immediatly drove him up there. She has been amazing every step of the way and Ruger really likes her. She is on vacation this week so tomorrow we are seeing her colleague Dr. Allison Bradley. I so pray that one day we will be a success story on Meisha's Hope :) I know we have a long way to go but Ruger is fighting hard and I know he can do it. My husband and I are so happy to have our first baby home and our almost 3 year old and my 1 year old are so happy to have him home that he has to make it : ) Vet check tomorrow so lets pray for healthy numbers!!! Up Up Up!!!!

jaime Parker

things will turn around, I know they will! Eating is a good sign. I gave Oliver cottage cheese, brown rice, mixed with his regular food as an added bonus. He always had a strong appetite. For that, I was very grateful. I will keep positive thoughts coming your way.

Mardi Northern Calif

This website has information on just about every kind of diet you might want to buy or make for a dog. I admire Mary Straus very much. She has put a lot of research and work into presenting this information. http://www.dogaware.com/dogfeeding.html I make all my dog's food at home. It is less expensive than prepared kibble and takes about a half hour 3-4 times a week to prepare for two large dogs. Mary can guide you through how to add some fresh food to a kibble diet if you want to start simple. The main site also has a wealth of information about many dog diseases. http://www.dogaware.com/ my best patrice

Patrice NYS

Jaime So glad that Ruger is enjoying the liver,I give it to Nollaig also but just to let you know not to give a lot of liver it has to be just a little. Hoping you get good news today with those numbers and also that Ruger seems better in himself that's the main thing. Take care Kathleen and Nollaig

Kathleen North Ayrshire

This thread was discussed between 20/12/2009 and 21/12/2009

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