Question:
I have a year old full blooded Pug. Within the last week she has gotten very weak and lost all of her pink color. Her gums are very white. She would eat and drink fine but had no energy at all and usually you cant calm her down. After a bad weekend were she could barely make it up the steps at the house I took her to the Vet today. He was concerned about her and she ended up staying there. He said she is very very anemic and in critical condition. He had no idea what else was going on with her. The Vet said that they would draw blood and send it off to see if they can find out what it is. I am sad and depressed at this point because I have no idea what is wrong or if she will pull through. The Vet didnt give any good reassurance as to her pullng through and being okay. Does anyone have any ideas on what they think it might be?

Answer:
I am no vet, and what I'm saying is merely anecdotal. I had a cat with the same symptoms. He was white, and staggered when he walked. It turned out he had a sort of parasite which had destroyed his red blood cells. I cannot remember the name of the parasite,(never heard of it) but after a few days on meds, my cat rebounded wonderfully.

I hope that's all that is wrong with your doggie! Let us know.

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Well I certainly hope the blood work shows what is wrong.

Has anything like this, even a little happened before. Anything changed with your dog in the way of diet, or exposed to something different?

Atleast your sweetheart is at the vets and most probably on IV for hydration.

I will keep positive thoughts for you both, pls keep us posted and post some pictures of your furry!

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Well I heard back from the Vet already (they rushed her bloodwork). She has Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia. Something that she will have for the rest of her life. That is heartbreaking in itself but at least we know what it is. He also said that they will keep her for a couple of days and watch her but she is already showing signs of improving. That made me smile. I have posted a picture of her so you all can see her. Believe it our not this is from 2 1/2 weeks ago right before she got sick.

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Oh my dear, I am so very sorry!!

That picture is absolutely adorable, what a happy happy lovely face

The most I can offer you is do as much research as you can on the newest forms of treatment. Perhaps discuss with your vet going to a specialist.

The net can offer you loads of information, it's going to be overwhelming reading through all of it, but it will nonetheless help you to understand the illness and what can be done.

My very best of wishes and prayers to your beautiful doggie!

She looks like quite the character.

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I dont have any good news to report. Sassy has been at the vet since the 24th. I went to visit her yesterday and her blood levels dropped and they had to do another blood transfusion. That was her second one. The Vet said then she would have to go on an IV drip for fluids because she wasnt eating like she should. I miss her so very much and want her to come home to us. Please pray for her to get better and come back home where she belongs.

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Oh when I saw you responded I was hoping for some good news!

Has the vet given you any more information or advise? I would be just sick with worry if I were you and missing her so much!!

Hugs to you!! I hope things will begin to improve. Are there any alternative treatments for her?

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Sorry to hear that little cutiepie is sick.:( Hope she'll feel better soon.

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Well I called the Vet first thing this morning to get the scoop on Sassy. She is probably coming home tomorrow!!! The vet said her levels had come up over the weekend and she was getting to be more active. I stopped by there today to see her and she was so happy to see mommy. She actually stood up in the cage and wagged her tail at me. I played with her for a little bit and then I had to go. When I locked the cage door she started crying and barking at me. Which I was so excited about because she hadnt done that in 4 or 5 days so I could tell she was getting better. The Vet said that she would have to be on medicine for the next month and her blood would need to be tested every week to make sure she was staying up on her levels. Thanks to all of you who prayed for her and lets hope she really does get to come home tomorrow. The kids are so excited that she might be coming home (mommy and daddy too!).

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WHeee thats wonderful news!! I am so happy to hear that. Let us know how things go when she comes home

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Wooohoo! Great new's !

She will feel better at home....

Like Luba said, keep us posted....

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Well I have gotten the dreaded call from the Vet today. Sassy took a turn for the worse and now is so bad that they are just keeping her alive by IV's. The vet said that now there is really nothing left to do. She is maxed out on the amount of meds she can take and she has had two transfusions already. He said that we should really think about putting her to sleep to end her suffering. I have been so upset since this afternoon and I am at a loss as to what to do. I cant let her go! i havent told the kids any of this because I am hoping she will come out of it tonight. Wishful thinking on my part I might add. I just cant believe that in a week she has went from an active healthy puppy to being so sick we have to put herr down. I am just so shaken by all of this. I will let you all know what happens with her tomorrow. My husband thinks that we should get another Pug to make the kids think its the same one because he is afraid that they wont understand whats going on. I really dont want another one but then again on the other hand I would want one to fill the void Sassy would leave behind if she were to leave us.

Answer:
I am sooooooooo very sorry.

But you have to think of Sassy.And how much her body can take...I know it's hard.

As for the kids,how old are they?
I would just explain to them Sassy is very sick.I wouldn't keep it from them.It will be hard for them in the begining,but they will except it.

I was always honest and open when my daughter was younger.And it started with hamsters.I never hid anything from her.They need to learn.And this is a start for them.If you teach them about how animals get sick and sometimes they don't make it,then it will prepare them with any emergencies that arise when a human member of the family is sick and passes away..My daughter was 4 when she went to her first funeral.She understood about death very well.She has been to many many more after that.

Sorry for going a bit off topic.

Please keep us posted.

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I have sad news to report. My husband and I went to the Vets office and when we got there we were told that Sassy passed away last night on her own. :( I was glad that I didnt need to make the decision to put her down but so sad that she was already gone by the time we got there. We have decided not to tell the kids what happened until this weekend. My daughter has her preschool graduation tonight and my sons school year ends on Friday. We figured this would be the best for them. Thank you to those of you who have kept us in your prayers.

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I'm so very sorry.... :(

((((((( HUGS)))))) to you and your family.

I definately agree it would be best to wait till the weekend.

Have they not been wondering where Sassy has been?

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I am so very sorry to hear that about your dog. I agree I think you are doing the right thing. It is so awful to have one of our friends leave us. You are in my prayers and thoughts. Once again I am so sorry but remember your baby knew that she was loved and you all know that she LOVED you! Good luck and you are in my thoughts and prayers! :(

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I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your pup.

I see that you live in Missouri and was curious as to where you got her.

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Originally Posted by LavenderRott
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your pup.

I see that you live in Missouri and was curious as to where you got her.

We live in St. Louis but got her in the Springfield area.

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Did she come from a breeder?

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Originally Posted by mona_b
I'm so very sorry.... :(

((((((( HUGS)))))) to you and your family.

I definately agree it would be best to wait till the weekend.

Have they not been wondering where Sassy has been?

The kids knew Sassy was sick and we visited her about every other day at the Vets. They just dont know HOW sick she was.

Answer:
Originally Posted by mona_b
Did she come from a breeder?

She came from a Purebred Animal Shelter. They got her from someone that was a breeder.

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(Hugs!!)
I am so sorry!!! Sassy is with the angels now. Best of Luck, and I'm very sorry for your loss! :(

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Probably a Backyard Breeder...........

When you do tell the children,please let us know how it went ok?

It's so very hard to tell kids that their beloved pet has passed on...... :(

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Well we told the kids today about Sassy. I think I cried more than what they did. I think that they understood what happened. We asked them if they woulf like another dog and they both wanted one. So now we are in the process of finding another one. At first I thought that it wouldnt be a good idea to get one right away, but the kids seem to really want one. My son said he knows no other dog with take Sassys place but he wants one so that he doesnt miss her so much. So thanks again to all of you who kept us in your prayers. I just wanted those of you who asked about the kids to know that they are fine.

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Well I'm glad that it went well.......

It's amazing how at times kids can be stronger then us at times...I know I have had to use my daughters shoulder to cry on a few times.

I always say it's better to be honest with children then to hide something from them...They are way to smart these days..

Please keep us posted when you get your new addition....

Please give them a hug from me.

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