From:
williamsb.comcast.net
Date: 2002-07-03 00:14:43 UTC
Subject: What can I do to build up red blood cells?
Dear Lois:
In such cases, finding out the CAUSE of the anemia is the most important step. Animals can become anemic from continual loss of red blood cells, as may be seen with gastric ulcers, severe flea infestations, and other reasons; they may destroy their own red blood cells (called hemolytic anemia), or they may not make any more to replace ones that normally grow old and are removed from the circulation. Animals with chronic diseases may develop anemia, especially chronic kidney disease, and females in prolonged estrus may become anemic. This is not a complete list of causes of anemia, but shows the range.
A complete blood workup my help identify causes of anemia.
While you can use a drug called erythropoetin alfa (Epogen) to help stimulate the bone marrow to produce aditional red blood cells, without identifying the cause of RBC loss, you may soon find yourself back in the same situation again.
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, DVM
> I took Snowball to the vet with a huge spleen. She said this time he is
> very anemic. She put him on pet tinic. What else can I do for my little
> guy? Thanks for your help. Lois