Dear Dr. John,
One of my Airedale Terriers was identified with one thing known as Polycythemia Vera. She is seven years previous, and her vet prescribed two medicines, hydroxyurea and semintra. She began off consuming and peeing loads and I used to be initially involved that she might need diabetes or a kidney downside. She was additionally exhibiting some extra drained conduct than normal.
Apparently, this situation is kind of uncommon in canine, so I wish to get a second opinion, however I’m not positive the place to go or if I even want one. Are there specialists for this sort of situation? I’m hoping that she’s going to survive for an affordable quantity. M.M.
Dear M.M.,
Polycythemia as a hematologic situation meaning that there’s an extra of pink blood cells or erythrocytes within the circulatory system. The blood is thicker than normal, leading to scientific indicators reminiscent of these you described in addition to canine having very pink gums that may additionally bleed simply together with weak spot, incoordination, and even seizures. Once normal polycythemia is identified and handled, it’s also essential that the underlying trigger can also be addressed.
Polycythemia Vera is certainly a uncommon illness in canine for which there isn’t a particular trigger and is a results of too many pink blood cells being produced by the bone marrow. Vera means true and, in these circumstances, reminiscent of in your canine, the illness is major erythrocytosis. The medicines that your veterinarian prescribed in your canine are certainly applicable. Hydroxyurea is used as a most cancers drug generally used for this illness to decelerate the manufacturing of pink blood cells. Semintra, also referred to as Telmisartan, is used to deal with hypertension as a result of extra quantity of pink blood cells within the circulation.
There are veterinary specialists that take care of hematology/oncology points and you can begin with researching native veterinary colleges to see if one is on workers. It sounds as in case your veterinarian has issues underneath management and also you may not want a second opinion. With correct remedy your canine ought to be capable of reside a standard life for a number of years to return.
Dr. John de Jong owns and operates the Boston Mobile Veterinary Clinic. He might be reached at 781-899-9994.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”