Clumber Spaniel

[Vally]

Jennifer wrote:

My Clumber Spaniel was diagnosed with IMHA. Her red blood cell count plummeted, lethargic, white gums … We requested vet to put her on antibiotics to prevent sepsis since vet said to “just watch her.” Do not “just watch them,” condition worsened so we let Internal Medicine Vet do exploratory surgery on my Clumber’s spleen was removed and she made a FULL Recovery, now on NO IMHA meds at age 10. My dog’s spleen has liquified and was floating inside her abdominal cavity along with two extra liters of fluid when they opened her up in Surgery.
My question: Is there a safe flea medicine for IMHA dogs? Probably not — any suggestions?
The vet has said my IMHA Clumber should NEVER receive a dog vaccine of any kind because it might kill her.

[Vally]

Sheena replied:

Hi Jennifer

A big welcome!

I am very happy to hear your Clumber is doing well after the surgery to remove that diseased spleen & that you didn’t “just keep an eye”. I am disappointed that you got such poor advice as this disease is extremely serious & needs rapid treatment, plus every possible diagnostic test to find out the cause.

I would just like to say for anyone else on here, we absolutely DO NOT recommend removing a dog’s spleen unless it is found to be diseased. The spleen performs many functions & is an important part of the immune system – it can even produce new blood cells as stem cells are found in there, especially when bone marrow is not producing adequate amounts of blood cells, so removing it could sometimes be a huge mistake. It also protects from infection. So, just to clarify, splenectomy should not be carried out unless the spleen is proven categorically to be diseased, in which case it has to go, but not otherwise – some older vet sites mention this as a possible IMHA treatment, but it really is a last chance saloon option which I would not put my dog through – UNLESS the spleen is diseased.

Your vet is right – no vaccinations at all. I use Frontline Combo on my dogs religiously, as ticks & fleas are carriers of horrible diseases & you need to protect your dog. My dog Worzel got bone marrow failure because of a tick disease plus a vaccination. It is very important now there is no spleen to watch for infection – unfortunately, dogs without a spleen are more prone to infection – don’t get hung up on that – just be vigilant & get antibiotics immediately if you think your baby has the slightest sign.

Hope this helps a little – I bet others have some ideas too

Sheena, Worzel & Ollie xxxxx