Following are selected posts to the Holisticat (TM) Mailing List on the subject of anemia. There's a lot of information here, and the posts are arranged in ascending chronological order. If there is a particular word you're looking for, it's probably best to utilize the "Find in Page" function in your edit menu!

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<6/28/98 From: Vick Re: anemia, hookworms>

Hey ya'll-

Okay, here's what the Cornell Book of Cats has to say about hooks:

• They are extremely long-lived, and can possibly live the life of the  cat
• they cause *ANEMIA* (my emphasis) due to blood loss
• the feces become black becuz of blood being let into the bowel from the small intestinal wall (where the little ba$tards attach)
• in acute cases, such as those that occur in kittens, there will be  very black or even bloody stools and the animal may die from blood  loss
• in chronic cases, the animal may show no outward signs of infestation, but will be suffering from anemia
• the animal should recover quickly after treatment w/ a dewormer

<<One other thing: both kitties have intestinal worms, not tape worms but hook worms and maybe some other type. The doc gave me a single  pill for each cat: Drontal (praziquante/pyrantel pamoate).  Do any of  you have exp. w/ this med.?  I have been waiting to give it to the>>

About the anemia itself- according to Pitcairn it's "often caused by  blood loss from wounds or parasites such as fleas and worms". He says a  diet "rich in iron, protein and Vitamin B-12" is the way to go.For foods he suggests:

• Beef liver (Protein, B-complex, B-12 and iron)
• Nutritional yeast supplemented w/ B-12 (same benefits as liver)
• Green veggies (iron and other minerals)
• Kelp powder (iodine and other trace minerals)
• Vit C, 500-2,000 mg a day, depending on the animal's size (promotes absorption of iron from the intestinal tract)

So, on that note, she suggests as much raw food as possible, and adding  1/8 teaspoon of her 'Delicious Garlic Condiment'. However, I don't know  if I'd do that until the anemia is gone, as garlic is thought by some to be associated w/ anemia..... Anyone else feel confident answering this one one way or the other?

<<discovered that Frankie is very anemic (hemocrit: 18.5 and hemoglobin:  6.5) and Tillie is slightly anemic (HCT:23.3 and HGB: 7.9).  My vet  (allo) said all I need to do is feed them good food (which I am doing--raw food diet w/ vitamineral mix, enzymes, and vit. C).  Their appetites & attitudes are very good.  But I believe I should also supplement their diets with cod liver oil and B vitamins.  Can any of you tell me if I should be doing something else for the new girls? >>

So I guess sticking w/ all-raw and using some of Pitcairn's suggestions  would be the best way to go for the anemia. Good luck w/ the girls and  let me know if I can look anything else up for ya.

Vick, Skippy, Sam, (Mad)Max, and Jezebel

Hi everyone,

Sandy, I loved the bear stories.  They are really interesting creatures.

This is what Pitcairn recommends for anemia:  diet rich in iron, protein and  vitamin B12.

• beef liver: protein, B complex, B12 and iron
• nutritional yeast supplemented with B12
• green vegetables: iron, minerals
• kelp powder: iodine, other trace minerals
• vitamin C: 500mg-2g/day: promotes absorption of iron
• Calcarea phosphorica 6X: 1 tablet 3 times a day for 2 weeks; serves as a tonic and to stimulate the formation of new blood cells
• Natrum muriaticum 6X: 1 tablet 3 times a day for 3 weeks; to help an animal that is depressed and low in energy, or constipated
• Use one or the other of these two tissue salts, or alternate them.

For herbal use, nettles are probably your best bet, as Sandy suggested - and  easiest to find - just come check out my yard!  All the free nettles you can  carry!  But gentian and wormwood in tincture form might help too.  Also, if  your kitties will eat parsley or cabbage, that will help add some iron to their  diet.  Good luck and keep us posted.

Be well,
Nancy and the furkids

<< katseven@ wrote:
spayed on Friday at which time I also had blood panels done and discovered that Frankie is very anemic (hemocrit: 18.5 and hemoglobin:  6.5) and Tillie is slightly anemic (HCT:23.3 and HGB: 7.9).>>

Susan, are the babies flea-free?  When I met Tasha and Booey, they were  so full of fleas, that blood was running down their legs from the flea bites, and they were  anemic:((  Good thing for anemia is the herb Nettles.  I would try 1 Stinging  Nettles capsule a day.  SN is good for so many things, including allergies.  Probably a homeopathic tissue salt or two but dunno offhand which Ferrum one is  the best one to give for anemia.

Sorry to hear about the worms.  Looks like Vick gave you some good advice for  that.  Lots of garlic in their food would help too. Good luck.

Sandy, a huge bear fan; no Judy, not the Chicago Bears <g>

Part II, please bear with me...........

(these are forwarded with previous permission)  Contact a holistic vet in your area if possible for more specific advise.

Release.....
Kristy :")
muddypaw@
************
~~
Biffy is now pretty anemic.  His PCV is now 20.  It had been holding steady at about 23-25 (low-normal here is 29) up until Sept 23 when it dropped to 19.
~~~

Auto-Immune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA)

These are the most common Type II reactions.  They can be associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE [more common in dogs]) ......Drugs, vaccines, or infections also can precipitate attacks of HA or thrombocytopenia in most species.  More often than not, however, the triggering cause is unknown.  Although as more information becomes available about rickettsial organisms, these intracellular pathogens may be found responsible for many of the "idiopathic" (without cause) immune-mediated disorders.

AIHA has four basic forms:  peracute, acute or subacute, chronic, and pure red cell aplasia.  Most forms are treatable, and relapses  are uncommon.

Peracute AIHA is seen mainly in middle-aged, larger breeds of dogs. Affected dogs are acutely depressed, and within 24-48 hrs, there is a fulminating decrease in the packed cell volume (PCV) with bilirubinemia and variable icterus and sometimes hemoglobinuria.  Intially, the anemia is nonresponsive, but it becomes responsive within 3-5 days.  ........

Acute AIHA is the most common form of the disease, with a breed prediliction in Cocker Spaniels. Initial signs are usually pallor and fatigue, and less commonly, icterus. .....

***Chronic AIHA differs from the acute form in that PCV falls to a constant level and remains there for weeks or months.  The bone marrow is either normal or hyperresponsive, and the Coombs' test is often negative.  Relatively more common in cats than dogs. Usually, the anemia is responsive early in the course of disease but responds minimally or not at all by the time it becomes severe.***

Pure Red Cell Aplasia is a variant of the above disorders and is most common in dogs.  It occures in two forms, one in postweanling to adolescent puppies and the other in adults.  Unlike in AIHA, the bone marrow shows a selective depression of erythroid elements; granulocytes and platelets are unaffected.  Therefore, the peripheral anemia is unresponsive......The Coombs' test is usually negative.

Autoimmune Thrombocytopenia is common, especially in dogs.  It is more common in females than males.  The most frequent clinical signs are hemorrhages of the skin and mucous membranes.  Melena, epistaxis, and hematuria may be accompanying features and can cause profound anemia. Hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia sometimes occur together.  ......

Cold Agglutinin (hemolytic) disease is an AIHA that has been recognized most often in dogs and horses.  It is often idiopathic but can be secondary to a chronic infection, other autoimmune diseases, or a neoplastic process...

*********AND***********

~~~.32 cc Dexamethasone 1x day (in a.m.)
1/4 250mg tab Flagyl (in a.m.)
1/2 10mg Pepcid 2x day
1/4 4mg Chlortrimeton 2x day
1 5mg tab Prednisone 1x day (p.m.)~~~

Prednisone and other adrenal corticosteroids may interact with insulin and oral antidiabetic drugs....phenobarbital, ephedrine, phenytoin, anticoagulants, diuretics, and other steriods.

<><<><><<><
Immunosuppressant drugs in general:

Possible side effects include: kidney toxicity, liver toxicity, lymphoma, high blood pressure, increased hair growth (in people), growth of the gums, tremors, cramps, [acne], brittle hair or nails, convulsions,  headache, confusion, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, tingling in the hands and feet, facial flushing, reduction in blood counts of white blood cells and platelets, sinus inflammation, swollen and painful male breasts (people), fluid retention and swelling, ringing or buzzing in the ears, hearing loss, high blood sugar, muscle pains.
><><><><><><><

The disease according to the Merck Vet Manual:

Primary immune mediated thrombocytopenia (also called idiopathic thrombocytopenia) is characterized by immune mediated destruction of either circulating platelets or, less commonly, morrow megakaryocytes. It has been seen in dogs and horses.  Clinical signs includ petechiae of  the gingivae or skin and ecchymosis, melena, or epistaxis.  Platelets are usually <100,000/ uL.  Low platelet concentration and low mean platelet volume  have been noted in the early stages but not the later stages. Evaluation of megakaryocytes (by bone marrow aspiration) helps determine if circulating platelets or marrow megakaryocytes are targeted by antibody.........Administration of corticosteroids, starting at a fairly high dose and then tapering (as in the treatment of auto immune hemolytic anemia) is recommended.  Other treatments reported are administration of danazol and ascorbate.  Splenectomy should be reserved as a treatment for animals that have recurrent episodes of thrombocytopenia.  Vincristine has been used to enhance the release of platelets from marrow megakaryocytes, but its usefuless to decrease immune destruction of platelets is questionable.
><><<

Another disease listed right below that one is "Vaccine Induced Thrombocytopenia" has been reported in dogs vaccinated repeatedly with  modified live adenovirus and paramyxovirus vaccines.  Usually occurs 3-10 days after vaccination.

*****and**********

Immune boosters:

From Prescription for Nutritional Healing (by the Drs Balch--for people): (divide the animals weight by 150 [avg human wgt] to get percentage of human dosage)

• Vitamins  A , C, and E
• Kelp- in the form of giant red kelp, or brown kelp
• Pau d' Arco tea (or other form) has an antibiotic effect.
• Acidophilus - as directed on label
• CoEnzyme Q10 - 100 mg daily
• Garlic capsules - 2 capsules 3x daily
• Germanium - 200 mg daily
• Kelp - 8 tablets daily
• L-Cysteine - 500 mg each, take twice daily   and
• L-methonine       and
• L-lysine  and
• L-ornithine (amino acids)
• Vitamin B6 - 50 mg 3 x daily   on empty stomach with amino acids listed above         and
• Vitamin B12 - 1,000 mcg   and
• folic acid        and
• Vitamin C - 100 [+] daily
• multivit / mineral supplement - as directed on label
• Protein (free form amino acids) - label directions
• Proteolytic enzymes - 2 tablets between meals and with meals
• Raw thymus  -  label directions     plus
• raw lymph         plus
• raw spleen concentrate    and
• raw bone marrow  [can get "from the source on BARF]
• selenium - 200 mcg daily
• Vit A - 15,000 IU daily   plus
• beta carotene - 10,000 IU daily
• Vit B complex - 100 mg in tablet form (Injections may be necessary)
• Vit C plus Bioflavinoids - 3000-10,000 mg daily divided doses
• Vit E - 400 IU daily
• Zinc chelate - 50-80 mg daily  (Do not take zinc in amounts over 100 mg daily as it can impair the immune response.)
• and copper - 3 mg daily

<<Does anyone know if it's alright to use milkthistle in cats whose liver and kidneys are already compromised?  And if so,
how much? >>

MT is a specific for compromised livers. It shows no toxicity in animals.

<<Another vet recommended parsley or dandelion tea, but aren't they diuretics?>>

Dandelion is also good for the liver but nothing beats MT for protection, healing and rejuvenation. Truly amazing stuff. Parsley is actual a specific for kidney failure (total).
Here's a dosage chart I sent to the list a long time ago. It is set up for dogs but can be adjusted for cats as cats don't tolerate as many herbs well. Not as well as dogs (except MT).  This is based on dosing 2x daily.

Body Weight (Lbs.)      Tablets         Drops           Tsp of loose herb
Under 10                            1/2             5-15                1/2 to 1-1/2

10-30                                   1-2             10-25               1-1/2 to 2-1/2

30-50                                   2-3              20-30               2-3

50-70                                   3-4              25-35               2-1/2 to 3-1/2

70 +                                     3-5              30-40               3-4

When in doubt - use the child dosage of 1/4 - 1/3 the adult and go up from there. Also, remember that a #0 capsule holds about 400 mg of herb material and the #00 500-650 mg.

If using MT capsules, I'd open them up and give the powder in an a.m., noon, and p.m. food. Or get the tincture of silymarin (there's an  all around liver support tincture - nasty tasting - called Hepatone by Nature's Answer). Small food quantities w/MT added will give the animal's system less digestive stress. Also see if you can find a liver support product made by Nature's Way called either LG or Liveron (they're both the same thing - they just alter the name from time to time). There is also a product
called Super Milk Thistle which has a variety of additional liver support herbs in it, and an extremely good Chinese herb combo distributed by Ethical Nutrients called Jade Empress has ALL the necessary liver healing herbs.

The key with MT is to obtain a product containing no less than an 80% standardized extract of silymarin. The healing power of MT is in the seeds. If the bottle says 'whole plant' put it back!

I have had a great deal of positive healing experience dealing with liver dysfunction. If you'd like more info, please feel free to contact me.

Rev. Debra L. Moore, D.N.
Doctor of Naturology
RevHerbDoc