Dr.Dr Michael Michael Reinhart
Reinhart,
Jacaranda Animal Hospital
Ask the Vet
By Dr. Michael Reinhart
Jacaranda Animal Hospital
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Dr D
Reinhart, our Husky became very sluggish and was
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we were told he was seriously anemic and needed a
transfusion to live. We watched as they hung the blood
and gave her the transfusion, but nowhere did it seem like
they took her blood type. Don’t dogs have blood types
? Don’t you need to check that before you give them
blood? We are confused as to why he was anemic, but
even more confused about the transfusion.
—Mark
Well, Mark, there are a lot of reasons
for the need for a transfusion. Absolute
hemorrhage (internal or external),
A
ns
immune mediated anemia, parasites, kidney failure
and tumors of the bone marrow are but just a few. But if
the red blood cell numbers get low enough, you have to
bring them up with more blood.
Yes, dogs do have blood types, and you need to
check that the donor’s type matches the recipients.
Greyhound blood is a universal donor and it will match
Greyhounds being universal donors, they have a higher
number of blood cells than your average dog. So, they
are providing more blood.
Most veterinarians try to use Greyhounds for donors,
and that may be why it seemed like they never checked
the blood type.
From a personal point of view, my own dog was dying and
needed blood. When I called the person whose Greyhounds
we used for help, I was advised she had moved an hour and
a half away from me. She said she would text the phone
numbers of some people near me that would be of help.
Twenty minutes later, she called and said she was bringing her
dog up to me so we could get the blood. I was concerned
about the distance, but her answer was, my dog was
dying, and she could help. We got the blood, gave the
transfusion and my dog is alive today, one month later.
In my profession, we see the worst of people and
the best of people, and it was the best of people that saved my dog’s
life.
weight I think is life threatening. Is there anything we
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can do to get her to lose weight? We have tried everything. —Alex
AAl Alex, i it i
is rare
that an owner
can realize
weight can be a lifethreatening
issue, and
I applaud you for your
concerns. Weight, as in
humans, can be a serious
heart and lung issue. It
can increase orthopedic
issues like joint disease
and hip dysplasia. As
with humans, it
also can be
an issue for
in and dog is usually responsible for
YOU are responsible for the
calories the client not understanding the
of the treats they give their pets
reason for weight gain.
you, the breed your dog is may
another problem that you can
correct.
retriever is the poster child for
hypothyroidism. The thyroid is
responsible for your metabolism
and when too low, the
metabolism is decreased so the
and you gain weight. Likewise,
your dog.
I would suggest you have
your dog’s thyroid checked
and if low, put him on thyroid
hormone. You will be amazed at
the weight he could lose.
Dr. Reinhart is the owner of Jacaranda Animal Hospital, located
at 725 Shamrock Boulevard in Venice. For more information or to
schedule an appointment, call 941-497-1676, or visit the clinic
online at www.JacarandaAnimal Hospital.com.
Photo, above: ©123rf.com/Nigel Spooner
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Well Mark there are a lot of reasons
14 | November/December 2019 | www.SuncoastPet.com
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