Dog Anemia"Dog anemia is a condition where the body is either losing red blood cells too fast or is not producing them fast enough. Causes include internal bleeding, parasites and cancer that is affecting the area where red blood cells are made, the bone marrow. Treatment involves removing the underlying cause for the condition." Dog anemia is a decreased number of red blood cells or iron in the blood (hemoglobin) or both. It’s not a disease in itself but is a symptom of something else. While anemia in people is often caused by iron deficiency in the diet, this is rarely the case in dogs. An anemic condition means that the red blood cells are decreasing and not being replaced as fast as they should. Since red blood cells come from the bone marrow, diagnosis starts with condition that affects this area of the body such as leukemia, bone marrow cancer and drugs that are having a toxic effect. Anemia is also caused by the body using red blood cells faster than normal such as when their is a bleeding condition. Common areas for bleeding include the digestive tract and if your dog is suffering from hookworm or heartworm. Anemia in dogs can be caused by a number of things, including: * Blood loss: caused by trauma or injury, parasites like fleas, ticks and worms, and diseases that prevent the blood from clotting * Breakdown of red blood cells: Disease with this as a byproduct such as autoimmune diseases, blood parasites, and cancer * Disease that prevents the production of red blood cells: such as autoimmune diseases where your dogs body attacks its own red blood cells (called immune-mediated hemolytic anmeia - INHA), an under active thyroid, and cancer. Dog Anemia SymptomsSymptoms of canine anemia include loss of appetite, listlessness, fatigue and pale gums. You’ll probably notice the listlessness, but your vet will notice the pale gums when he or she examines your dog.Canine Anemia DiagnosisThere several tests that may be done to check for dog anemia. One is called the packed cell volume (PCV) or hematocrit. In this test, a blood sample is spun in a centrifuge to separate the red blood cells from the plasma (the liquid part of the blood). Between 35 – 55% of the dog’s blood should be red blood cells. If the hematocrit is lower than 35, the dog is anemic.Other tests may be done, including a red blood cell count and a hemoglobin count. If your dog is anemic, tests will be done to find the cause of the anemia. Tests include checking the blood sample for increased numbers of immature red blood cells, which means that the bone marrow is responding to the need for more blood and making more red blood cells. Tests also include checking the blood for parasites that might be destroying red blood cells. A bone marrow biopsy might be done. This often identifies the cause of the anemia. It will check for things like leukemia. A urine sample may be tested to evaluation organ function. A fecal sample may be tested to check for intestinal parasites that may be causing blood loss. Dog Anemia TreatmentWhile mild cases do not require a blood transfusion, more severe cases do to stabilize your dog while the cause of the dog anemia is diagnosed and the underlying cause is treated.In the case of dog hemolytic anemia or immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA), there is no known cause. Treatment for this condition is prednisone which slows the bodies attack on the red blood cells. In severe cases the spleen may need to be removed. One third of dogs do not respond to treatment, but if your dog responds, then the prognosis is good. SourcesBasic Approach to Anemia DiagnosisTvedten, Harold William Hound Health Handbook: The Definitive Guide to Keeping Your Dog Happy, Healthy & Active From Dog Anemia to Dog Health Guide Home
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