Slightly Anaemic

[Kaz]

I have a pound dog here who looks a touch anaemic.

Her gums aren't really too pale - nothing to cause me to panic - just not as much colour as I would like.

What would be the best thing to do?

[Poodle wrangler]

Need to find the cause e.g. recently had pups? slow bleed from somewhere in her digestive system? other illness?

Has she had a vet check, yet?

Raw meat would have lots of iron, I'd think. Mince would be the most economical.

I'm not sure if you can give dogs extra iron tablets (like you would in humans)?

[Kaz]

Ta Poodlewranger.

She hasn't had pups recently but is practically straight from the pound, is underweight and has kennel cough.

I am thinking the dog equivelant of ' just run down'.

I think I will invest in a steak or two

Edited July 20, 2007 by Kaz

[Rappie]

If you're going on mucous membrane colour, it might be abnormal, it might be normal for her. Pale mucous membranes in animals tends to be either poor perfusion of blood to tissues (shock, dehydration, cardiac problems etc etc) or due to anaemia, which is most cases is due to loss / destruction / inadequate production rather than iron deficiency (although malnutrition can certainly play a part).

I would provide all your normal supportive care, and then next time you are at you vet just mention your concern and ask them if they could run a PCV - that way you'll know if it is 'real' or due to some other factor.

Edited July 20, 2007 by Rappie