Anemia is a shortage of either red blood cells or hemoglobin. Many things can cause dog anemia, and the type of treatment needed will depend on the cause.
Anemia is a result of other diseases, not a disease itself. For one reason or another, your dog won’t have enough red blood cells to carry enough oxygen through its body, causing anemia. Injury, infection, or parasites
might cause bleeding. Problems with your dog’s bone marrow or kidneys might keep the body from making new red blood cells to replace those that naturally age and die. Or, a disease might attack your dog’s red blood cells directly and kill them faster than they can be replaced.
Anemia can affect every organ in the body and can have a profound effect on your dog’s well-being. An anemic dog will be tired and weak, you might notice a decrease in its appetite, and its gums and tongue will be very pale.
Fortunately, anemia can be treated. Most cases of anemia can even be cured by addressing the underlying problem.
Anemia Diagnosis & What to Expect at the Vet
Anemia is not something you and your dog can deal with by yourselves. If you notice pale gums and tongue, or other symptoms, take your dog in right away.
Your vet will confirm the anemia by testing your dog’s blood for its proportion of red blood cells or its proportion of hemoglobin. If your dog has a heavy infestation of fleas or ticks or has already been diagnosed with something known to cause anemia, the diagnosis could be clear. Otherwise, your vet will examine your pup’s urine and feces for signs of internal bleeding and look for parasites and signs of infection. With the cause identified, your vet can usually prescribe medication for the problem, such as antibiotics or deworming drugs.
As humans, we tend to associate anemia treatment with iron supplementation because iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia in humans. Dogs can get this form of anemia, too, but it’s very rare. Most anemic dogs have plenty of iron.
Treating Anemia
Sometimes anemia treatment is relatively quick and simple, but some forms require long-term intensive management. Your dog might have to be seen by a vet every day or two for a while for check-ups and emergency treatments. A cure, or at least a much-improved quality of life, still waits at the end of the tunnel. You and your vet will have to treat the underlying cause of the anemia. Restricted exercise and occasional transfusions can give your pup a long, happy life.
In rare cases, especially if the other components of the blood (the white blood cells and platelets) are also affected, the anemia might be impossible to cure.
Emergency Anemia Treatment
Sometimes cases of anemia are so severe that they must be treated separately from the underlying problem. One or more transfusions, or an injection of Ringer’s solution, will help get your dog through the crisis. Ringer’s solution is an artificial nutrient mix that essentially mimics blood plasma and helps the body’s organs survive blood loss. Even with transfusions, the anemia will come back until the underlying cause is addressed, but these treatments buy your dog time.
Low Red Blood Cell Count in Dogs: Causes of Anemia
Your beloved pup is tired, not acting right, and has a really pale tongue. Your dog could have a low red blood cell count. In other words: anemia. Your vet will need to figure out why.
WHAT IS ANEMIA IN DOGS?
Anemia is either a dangerously low red blood cell count or a dangerously low hemoglobin level. Any red-blooded mammal, including humans, can get anemia. Low red blood cell count, or anemia, is not a disease in itself. Instead, it is a consequence of other medical problems, and it can be very serious.
Red blood cells work to carry oxygen through the body, where all the body’s organs lie in wait. If the body’s organs don’t get the oxygen they need, they function below healthy levels.
WHAT IS AN ANEMIC DOG’S PROGNOSIS?
Anemia can usually be cured, but only by addressing the underlying problem. To treat anemia, you have to understand the symptoms and identify its causes.
WHAT CAUSES LOW RED BLOOD CELL COUNT IN DOGS?
Different animals get anemia for different reasons. We humans often become anemic because of iron deficiency, but low-iron anemia is extremely rare in dogs. But no matter the specifics, there are three basic causes of a low red blood cell count in dogs or in any other animal: the total blood volume is dropping, the body is not making enough red blood cells, or something is damaging the red blood cells or killing them off.
1. Blood Loss
Fast or slow, blood loss is the most common cause of anemia in dogs. If the blood loss is fast and messy, and obvious, you won’t need the Internet to tell you it’s an emergency. But some bleeding is so slow nobody notices until the dog is anemic. An ulcer somewhere in the gastrointestinal tract, or damage to the urinary tract, is often to blame. Your vet can test your dog’s urine and feces for traces of blood.
Hookworms, other internal parasites, and digestive tract tumors are also common causes of hidden blood loss. Look for fleas and ticks, too, especially with young or very small dogs, since too many of these literal blood-suckers can occasionally kill.
2. Non-Regenerative Anemia
Red blood cells are made in the bone marrow. If the marrow isn’t working properly, or if the kidneys cannot make the hormone that triggers red blood cell production, anemia follows.
There are several possible causes:
- Kidney failure
- Diseases and cancers of the bone marrow
- Infections of the blood (usually tick-borne)
- Poisoning, especially lead poisoning
- Radiation
- Certain medications
Some puppies are also born with genetic or congenital problems that cause non-regenerative anemia. These issues are most common in Beagles, Giant Schnauzers, and Border Collies.
3. Hemolytic Anemia
Red blood cells don’t last forever, which is why the bone marrow needs to grow new ones. A dog’s red blood cells usually live about three months, and healthy bone marrow has no trouble replacing them as they die and break down.
If something starts killing off the red blood cells faster, though, hemolytic anemia occurs. There are several different kinds of hemolytic anemia, and its causes include infections, especially tick-borne illnesses, poisons, drug reactions, and genetic problems.
Your vet is best equipped to find the right diagnosis for your dog, but this overview of anemia treatments will help you make sense of the process. What comes next depends on what caused the anemia since different causes require different treatments. Severe anemia can be treated with blood transfusions until your vet can find and treat the cause.
The bottom line is that anemia is a serious but usually treatable condition. Never ignore the symptoms of anemia, but don’t despair, either. Your pup has a very good chance of being cured.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a dog recover from anemia?
Yes, a dog can recover from anemia, depending on the cause and severity of the condition. Anemia in dogs occurs when there is a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the bloodstream, which can result from a variety of underlying health issues. Treatment for anemia in dogs will depend on the underlying cause but may include medications, changes in diet, and, in severe cases, blood transfusions. The dog's recovery will also depend on the severity of the anemia and the underlying health issues.
What are the signs of anemia in dogs?
The signs of anemia in dogs can vary depending on the severity and underlying cause of the condition. Common signs of anemia in dogs include pale gums, eyes, or ears, lethargy or weakness, loss of appetite, rapid breathing or panting, rapid heartbeat, collapse or fainting, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), dark or tarry stools, vomiting or diarrhea, and exercise intolerance. If you notice any of these signs in your dog, it's important to consult with your veterinarian.
What causes a dog to become anemic?
Various factors can cause anemia in dogs. The most common causes of anemia in dogs include blood loss due to injury, trauma, or surgery, parasites such as fleas or ticks, immune-mediated diseases that attack red blood cells, nutritional deficiencies such as iron, copper, or vitamin B12, bone marrow disease or cancer, kidney disease, and infections such as tick-borne diseases or heartworm disease. Some toxins, such as rat poison or heavy metals, can damage the red blood cells and cause anemia in dogs. Parvovirus is a highly contagious virus that can cause severe diarrhea and vomiting in dogs. This can lead to dehydration and anemia. Certain chemotherapy drugs used to treat cancer can also affect the production of red blood cells, leading to anemia in dogs.
Is anemia serious in dogs?
Anemia can be a serious condition in dogs, especially if it is left untreated or if the underlying cause is not addressed. The severity of the anemia can also play a role in how serious the condition is. In some cases, a dog's immune system may attack its own red blood cells, leading to anemia. Trauma, surgery, or internal bleeding can result in blood loss, leading to anemia. Certain toxins, such as lead, onions, or some medications, can damage red blood cells and cause anemia. Several diseases, such as kidney disease, liver disease, or cancer, can cause anemia in dogs.
Is anemia painful for dogs?
Anemia itself is not typically painful for dogs, but the underlying condition that is causing the anemia can be uncomfortable or painful. For example, if the anemia is caused by a parasitic infection, such as fleas or ticks, the dog may experience itching or discomfort from the bites. Similarly, if a kidney or liver disease causes anemia, the dog may experience discomfort or pain related to the underlying condition. The symptoms of anemia can be distressing for dogs and may cause them to feel weak, lethargic, or disoriented. In severe cases, anemia can cause a dog to collapse or lose consciousness, which can be frightening for both the dog and its owner.
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This information is for informational purposes only and is not meant as a substitute for the professional advice of, or diagnosis or treatment by, your veterinarian with respect to your pet. It has, however, been verified by a licensed veterinarian for accuracy.
