Red Blood Cell count low/anemia (Non-Yorkie (but I know you all care :) )
 

Hello all,

I am writing this on behalf of someone else to see if anyone could be of assistance:

My mom was "puppy-sitting" her neighbors 2 recently rescued Pomeranians. Sunday night my mom called me, one Pom, Cinnamon, who is about 1.5 years old, kept staggering and falling down. I told my mom this sounded like hypoglycemia, so she administered Karo syrup, but it did not fix the problem. So she took the little one to the Emergency Vet in our area, where they determined her red blood cell count was extremely low. They did a blood transfusion yesterday. From what I've read, it seems like she was anemic, which the causes are pretty vague (kidney issues, parasites, etc.) The vet has said, "the likelihood of treating her again successfully would be unlikely" - and that she will be on meds for awhile.
She was adopted from a shelter about 2 months ago at 1.5 years, and came to the shelter pregnant, where she had one pup (not sure if this would be related to her issue)

Her neighbor will not be back until Sunday, and little Cinnamon will be monitored by a vet until then. I was just wondering if anyone else had a similar situation with anemia. Even though she's a non-yorkie (and not even my pet), I know you all understand :)
Thank you!

Oh my gosh, how very scary for your Mom, wow! That poor little Pom. I so hope she will be okay...but it sounds like they're not sure. If it's just anemia, why does the vet think she cannot be treated again...?

I'm not sure on why they think she could not be treated again - we were confused about that as well. I know yesterday they updated that it seemed as if it was an infection that caused the low red blood cell count - so I am confused as to why they stated that as well (in terms of another blood transfusion). I suggested that a trip to a specialist would be best? Her owner comes back Sunday, so hopefully she does well and it was just a bad infection that caused it. I do know the vet stated if she hadn't been brought into emergency she most likely would not have made it. Thank you for your concern, even though she's not a yorkie (and not even my pet) I know that this site and its members has been SO helpful to me.

I wonder if it was indeed an infection, was the WBC high then?

A specialist is an awesome idea, I'd see an internist if it were me, most likely. I so hope some answers are found.

Btw, your Mom is awesome and I hope the owners do realize she literally saved this little one's life by acting so swiftly!

I honestly do not think the vet really knows what is causing little Cinnamon's issues... I received a message from my mom yesterday that the vet stated they were "Going in the wrong direction", poor little thing had to have another blood transfusion yesterday... :( And increased Prednisone, and that is she is successful with the blood transfusion from yesterday, she will need a high dose of steroids for at least 3 months"....
my response was, "Specialist" but I'm going to give her your advice with her owner to seek an Internist. A high dose of steroids for a tiny little Pom worries me, I know what happened with Tink when her steroids were increased, and it was not good. My mom is convinced she has an underlying issue that the past owners knew about, and that is why she ended up at the shelter. :( BUT, at least she now has an owner who loves her and is making sure she is treated. Thank you for your suggestions!

If your Mom does find out what the blood problem is I would love to know the diagnosis.

So sad , I will be Praying for this girl.

I had a feeling of this when you mentioned she had a puppy at the shelter so I just looked it up. It could be from poor nutrition during her pregnency & after delivery. Also toxins such as rat poison, flea meds or any number of things including vaccinations. Does your Mom use artificial sweeteners such as xylotol ? or does her owner use it ? if yes, please notify the vet of this ASAP.

Just thinking outside the box here....but if steroids happen to be helping her somehow...I have to wonder, could she have Addisons? Bc an Addisons event can look like hypoglycemia...they can totally collapse.

I don't know if I am too late with this reply, but one of my Yorkies recently had those symptoms and was quickly diagnosed with Auto Immune Hemolytic Anemia. She also received prednisone, blood transfusion, etc. Our vet was out of town and we had never met the vet on call but could not have asked for better care for Indy. She was with him for a week and after all of his efforts we still lost her on Mother's Day. Our vet told us that this is a horrible disease and very hard to treat. I hope the best for this little Pom.

Thank you all so much for your replies. I have forwarded them to my mom so she can let Cinnamon's owner know. She will be picking her up today. Thank you all for your suggestions, I sure hope they can figure out what is wrong with this poor little Pom.

For an update on Cinnamon:
She has a type of anemia (my mother could not remember the type). She is on steroids (Prednisone) and will likely have to be on them long-term. They said it could have been caused by vaccinations, or a genetic problem. She can no longer receive vaccinations. Her "numbers" of red blood cells are at 33%, improving from last week where they were 22%. When my mom brought her into the Emergency vet - they were at 5%! - the vet said he was very surprised that she didn't pass away. Thank GOD my mom's neighbors decided to have my mom babysit her, if they would have went with a dog sitter as originally planned she likely would have because she wouldn't have been monitored 24/7.
If she is below 10%, she has to get a blood transfusion. My mom said that she is looking better everyday - poor little girl - she's only 1.5 :(. We both think that her original owners knew she has an underlying issue and that is why she ended up at the shelter but at least she has an owner willing to take care of her and love her. Thank you all for your thoughts and concerns - I wanted to post this not only for advice, but to help anyone in the future that has similar issues or symptoms. Thank you all!

I am thinking this is the type of anemia Cinnamon has - sounds very similar. I'm so sorry for the loss of your beloved :(

I just wanted to say I am glad your Mom got to the bottom of it. Here is a link to a bloodbank just in case it is needed www.hemopet.org.