12 Apr Anaemia in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment

Anaemia is a complexity that affects a dog’s blood. When the red blood cells or haemoglobin in a dog’s body decreases, it’s called anaemia. Anaemia isn’t a disease but a complication that results from an illness, trauma, or other problem. Red blood cells are the part of the blood that is made in the dog’s bone marrow. Red blood cells are made up of a protein called haemoglobin. In this protein, there is an iron atom that is responsible for transporting oxygen. Therefore, red blood cells play an important role in transporting oxygen and excreting carbon dioxide in the body. Anaemia in dogs means low blood cell count, packed cell volume, and haemoglobin concentration. A dog with anaemia ، has this complication due to a serious problem in his body, so his owner needs to understand this complication and eliminate it.

Anaemia in dogs symptoms 

Chronic anaemia can have various causes, and a thorough physical examination, history, and several laboratory tests are needed to determine the underlying cause. The symptoms listed below aren’t specific to anaemia and are just common symptoms of this chronic disease. These symptoms include:

• Lethargy
• Breathing problems
• Fainting and weakness
• Flatulence
• Heart murmur
• Pale gums
• Increased respiration
• increase of heart rate
• Hypothermia
• Anorexia
• Pale mucosal coating
• Weight Loss
• Early fatigue
• Blood in urine, faeces or vomit
• Nose bleeding

Because red blood cells and haemoglobin are responsible for delivering oxygen to the dog’s body, a deficiency in one or both of them reduces the oxygen supply to various tissues and cells. If enough oxygen doesn’t reach the dog’s tissues, ‌he may have difficulty breathing, ‌ get tired easily, ‌ don’t eat, and become weak. It isn’t possible to have enough energy in cells without oxygen. The dog’s heart rate may also increase as the body pumps blood to compensate for the lack of oxygen.

Pale mucous membranes, such as the gums and around the genital area, are due to a lack of red blood cells and haemoglobin. If these two aren’t present enough in the body, the mucous membranes will appear paler than usual, and even in acute situations, white. Dogs usually have pink gums, not pale pink or white. It’s straightforward to check the colour of the mucous membranes at home. You may see blood outside the dog. If your dog has anaemia, there’s sometimes blood in his urine and faeces. Some dogs may even vomit blood or bleed their noses. These signs of bleeding may indicate that your dog is anaemic or may be anaemic.

Anaemia in dogs causes 

Anaemia can be caused by problems that lead to blood and red blood cells loss or decreased red blood cell production in the bone marrow. Several diseases and complications cause these changes in the dog’s body.

• Trauma: 

Trauma is caused by surgery or injury, which usually results in severe dog’s blood loss. Bleeding can be internal or due to a wound on the skin, both of which can lead to anaemia.

• Parasites: 

External parasites, blood and intestines can all lead to blood loss and anaemia in dogs. Babesia is the name of a blood parasite that causes hemolysis or destruction of red blood cells. Intestinal parasites, such as hookworms, can cause anaemia due to damage to the gastrointestinal tract. External blood-sucking parasites, such as fleas and ticks, can lead to anaemia.

• Bleeding Tumors: 

Some dogs have tumours that bleed. If the bleeding doesn’t stop, it will cause anaemia.

• Blood clotting problems: 

Disorders and diseases that affect a dog’s blood clotting can cause anaemia. Von Willebrand disease is a complication that disrupts blood clotting and can cause anaemia if uncontrolled bleeding occurs.

• Autoimmune diseases: 

Diseases that affect the dog’s immune system can cause anaemia. One such immune disease is immune-mediated hemolytic anaemia. The disease causes the dog to produce antibodies that attack his red blood cells.

• Toxins: 

Some foods, drugs, and chemicals can cause problems with blood clotting and red blood cells. Onions, garlic, chemotherapy, and rat poison can lead to anaemia in dogs.

• Cancer: 

Unfortunately, cancer can cause a variety of secondary problems in dogs, such as anaemia.

• Poor nutrition: 

Most dogs have a balanced diet for certain illnesses or periods in their lives. But malnourished dogs often develop anaemia.

• Chronic diseases: 

Several types of chronic diseases can cause anaemia. Liver and kidney disease or Ehrlichia infection are some of the chronic complications. These diseases cause the body to produce less bone marrow, resulting in fewer red blood cells.

• Hypothyroidism: 

Hypothyroidism, if left untreated, can cause mild anaemia.

Anaemia diagnosis 

35 to 55% of dogs’ blood is made up of red blood cells. This percentage can be seen by packed cell volume (PCV) or hematocrit (HCT). This test involves taking the dog’s blood sample and part of a normal checkup. If the result of this test shows less than 35%, a dog has anaemia. Your veterinarian may also perform other tests to find the anaemia causes.

Anaemia treatment 

Because anaemia is caused by a disease or complication that affects a dog’s red blood cells or haemoglobin, the main problem must be identified to treat the anaemia problem. This may mean surgery, medication, supplements, antibiotics, antiparasitics, gastrointestinal medications, medication changes, or in more severe cases, blood transfusions to dogs or other specialized treatments. I may need intensive and supportive care or blood transfusions too. If left untreated, anaemia can be life-threatening for dogs. If you feel your dog is anaemic, you should see your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Because anaemia can occur for a variety of reasons, there’s often no way to prevent it. Controlling and recognizing the illnesses and complications that cause anaemia is often the best thing you can do to prevent dog anaemia. Besides, a balanced diet, the use of common antiparasitics, trying to prevent injuries that may cause heavy bleeding, and regular visits to the vet for physical examinations and blood tests can reduce the risk of anaemia in your dog. Mishka professional team accompany you to have a healthy and energetic dog again.