Mildly Anemic

[Miabella]

My husband brought Ilsa in for her vincristine treatment today, and her bloodwork is showing that she is mildly anemic. She was still able to get chemo, but they recommended that we put her on a multi-vitamin three times per week. Luckily we only have one more treatment left in the 19-week protocol, doxyrubicin next week.

[Patty1231]

Well, I wouldn't think that would be unexpected. She's probably doing good making it this far into her treatment without any signs of anemia. It's a pretty common symptom in chemotherapy patients - people that is, I doubt it would be different for dogs. Give our girl a big ole butt scritch from me and Rocco! Prayers still coming your way for both you and Ilsa!

[fbkeays]

Give her foods high in iron too. Misty loved shrimp. I just bought bags of the smaller pre-cooked ones (not the baby or bay shrimp) with the tail off and defrosted under the tap. She scarfed them down.
Glad to hear that she is almost done. Keeping my fingers crossed that she stays in remission. How is tracking and utility coming along?

[Miabella]

I gave her some liver with dinner tonight, but I don't think it's a good idea to give that too often because of some of the contaminants that can be in it. Thanks for the shrimp idea, I will try that. I'll be talking to the oncologist tomorrow. I usually bring her to her appointments on my day off, but they changed the day this week because they were moving their facility. So DH brought her in today.

Tracking and Utility are going great. She's been doing TD length and difficulty tracks for awhile, but I've been working on specific things that I think she needs to learn. We've been doing lots of different types of cover, tire tracks and gullies, and LOTS of articles. I really hope to have her certified at the end of the summer.

Utility is also going really well, my instructor told me to plan on trialing her in September. We're proofing and seasoning, I've got a few matches and show 'n' gos lined up for her.

[Miabella]

Patty, I agree, it's probably good that she's made it this far without any big problems. We haven't had to delay any of her treatments, and other than a couple diarrhea incidents that were quickly cleared up with metronidazole, she's been doing really well.

[moondog]

Laurie,

When Luna had a slight anemia, the vet gave me an iron-fortified liquid vitamin formula that fixed her right up. I can't remember the name of it (that was way back in 2001), but ask the vet about it - I think the liquid really absorbs well.

[jas'smom]

Sorry to hear about the anemiea (sp?) she sounds as though she is doing well despite it though does she like veggies??? there are many veggies high in iron as well....I get the organic ones that way I dont have to worry as much about pestesides etc!!!

Do you have an actual trial in mind for Sept???? I would love to come and cheer you guys on!!!

[Judi W]

The liquid might have been Red Cell.

[Miabella]

Thanks guys! I will ask about Red Cell.

Pam, I'm going to enter her in Southern MD DTC and Hyattsville DTC at the Canine Training Assoc. building in Beltsville on September 24-25.

[GraceAAA]

A word of caution on the use of supplemental iron with cancer...cancer cells utilize iron very productively...the cancer cells store the iron and thus are believed to grow/multiply faster with iron stores in the blood. Also, iron contributes to free-radical production...which is known to cause cancer. [Note regarding free radicals: there are anti-oxidant and oxidant therapies for cancer...but those are attempted with a check and balance system to try to ensure that excess levels of free-radicals are not left circulating in the body.]

Many veterinarians will attempt to keep the dog in a low range of iron sufficiency while treating cancer...only supplementing iron when the dog is reaching dangerously low levels or levels which would cause them to discontinue chemotherapy if iron was not supplemented. So, if you have not already, you may want to check with Ilsa's oncologist before beginning iron therapy.

And, I commend you, Laurie, for keeping that girl working throughout! Way to go to both of you...not just fighting cancer but LIVING with it!!

[Miabella]

Just talked to the doc, she wants us to just go with a regular multi-vitamin like Centrum for now. The ones I have at home are One-a-Day with lycopene added, with apparently is an anti-oxidant. She said that should be just fine.