Vitamin recommendation for anemia

**Mirabella** · 08-28-2007, 12:35 PM

Sorry to put it here in Lab Chat but I want to go look for some today and this forum gets the most hits.

Brodie is anemic so the vet recommends a vitamin supplment especially with the B vitamins and I would like one to have iron.

Are there vitamin brands you would recommend? Anyone have an anemic dog - any tips?

Thanks!

**cinderbay** · 08-28-2007, 12:58 PM

Maybe I missed something, but what is the cause of the anemia?

**cinderbay** · 08-28-2007, 01:03 PM

Originally Posted by Mirabella

Sorry to put it here in Lab Chat but I want to go look for some today and this forum gets the most hits.

Brodie is anemic so the vet recommends a vitamin supplment especially with the B vitamins and I would like one to have iron.

Are there vitamin brands you would recommend? Anyone have an anemic dog - any tips?

Thanks!

Why one with iron? I don't think there is a connection to iron and anemia?
You need a complex vit B and C i think.
But again, it all depends on the source of anemia.

**Mirabella** · 08-28-2007, 01:40 PM

His labwork is fine but he is anemic. He is 12, does not have a big appetite so I don't think the vet felt it was too unusual for him to be anemic. I don't want any invasive testing done unless the vitamins don't work and he continues to get more anemic.

You give iron to treat humans so I don't know why you wouldn't for dogs but I know the B's are what is most needed.

**labby** · 08-28-2007, 01:44 PM

Not to scare you, but get an ultrasound of the abdomen and spleen. Stevie came up anemic for no reason. We did all the tests, xrays, tick panels and they all came back normal, but she was still anemic. Finally I had an ultrasound done and she had a mass on her spleen. I lost her the next day. She was 11.

There is ALWAYS a reason for anemia despite what the blood tests may say. Most of the time its not good.

**Mirabella** · 08-28-2007, 02:02 PM

Just talked to the vet based on Labby's reply. There was no mass seen on xray, the other labwork didn't suggest tumor activity and he in only very slightly anemic. We will get another CBC in 8 weeks to see if the vitamins work. Thanks, Laura and I will have to hope it is just "old age".

**labby** · 08-28-2007, 03:14 PM

Nothing showed up on Stevie's abdominal xrays either. It wasn't until we did the ultrasound that we saw something. Stevie was only "slightly" anemic also.

Seriously I do not mean to scare you but I've learned my lesson and wish I had demanded the ultrasound immediately. I might have been able to save her and I wouldn't have this awful guilt.

**rottnlabs** · 08-28-2007, 03:37 PM

You can also treat anemia with zinc...at least in humans. When I was growing up, my entire family was anemic. My mom started everyone (except my stubborn dad who doesn't believe in all this vitamin/mineral bumbo jumbo :

) on zinc and it went away. My dad was scheduled for surgery but the dr decided not to do the surgery because my dad was anemic. My dad finally decided to "try" the zinc and he was cleared for surgery just a couple of weeks later.

Skubaa · 08-29-2007, 06:28 AM

I agree with labby, I think a little more pushing to rule out more causes of the anemia may be in order. Get a second opinion if you need it. But, I would also be giving your doggie the meds the vet wants you to while you are figuring it all out.

Phoebe was anemic after her major complications from spaying. Her anemia was from blood loss----she had lost so much blood from surgery and her body wasn't replenishing it as easily as it should. Her gums were barely pink---mostly gray. The vet gave her fluids each day for about 5 days and had me give her some human pre-natal supplements I think. I can't remember the name. It was literally the rest of her bottles from her last baby---she is a friend/neighbor. I write this because it seems from my experience that anemia can be caused either by more than just low iron---low blook volume can also cause it.

Good Luck!