IMHA Haircut Makes Me Look Like a Different Dog

My 3rd occurrence of Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA) has been quite the challenge to my health and my dads’ sanity! The immunosuppresive effects of the drugs used to treat my disease have left me prone to secondary skin infections and compromised the appearance of my normally luxurious hair coat. Fortunately, all infections have resolved and my skin and fur are glowing again. As I lacked sufficient red blood cells (RBCs) to oxygenate my tissues, including the skin, I developed large areas of bacterial infection my hips, flank, and chest. Additionally, my deficient immune system could not fight off the invasion of canine papilloma virus. Therefore, I developed some unsightly warts on my legs. One would think that I had been spending too much time down at the frog pond. Fortunately, the bacterial and viral infections resolved with a course of antibiotic therapy, an immune strengthening Chinese herb (Wei Qi booster), and an immune system supporting whole food supplement (Standard Process Canine Immune Support). As my fresh fur grows in, it looks very different from my longer, sick hair. The new color is deep red and black, versus the older blond and dark grey. To even out my appearance and promote my new hair growth, my dads decided it was finally time for me to be groomed. Thank you David, from Hollywood Hounds, for always do such a great job and being patient with my wiggly body. Over the next few weeks, my coat will take on a more homogenous appearance, as I currently look like a Welsh Terrier-Australian Cattle Dog hybrid due to my merle-appearing patches of fur. Look for my upcoming blog posts to follow my progress from sickly to healthy!