Anaemia is a common but potentially serious condition that can affect dogs of all ages, breeds, and sizes. It occurs when there is a decrease in the number of healthy red blood cells, or haemoglobin, in the blood. This can decrease oxygen delivery to the tissues and organs, which can cause a wide range of symptoms.
There are various causes of anaemia in dogs, and it can be tricky to identify the cause without running some tests. However, the good news is that there are treatment options available for dogs with anaemia. With the right treatment, most dogs can make a full recovery.
Keep reading to learn more about anaemia in dogs, including its symptoms, causes, and treatment options.
What is anaemia? Is it possible for dogs to get it?
Anaemia is a medical condition where a person or animal has a lower-than-normal number of red blood cells or a lower-than-normal amount of haemoglobin in their blood. Haemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. When there are not enough red blood cells or haemoglobin, the tissues and organs do not get enough oxygen, leading to fatigue, weakness, and other symptoms.
Yes, dogs can get anaemia, just like humans and other animals. The causes of anaemia in dogs can vary and may include blood loss due to injury, surgery, internal bleeding, nutritional deficiencies, autoimmune diseases, infections, and certain types of cancer. Symptoms of anaemia in dogs can include lethargy, weakness, pale gums, an increased heart rate, and a loss of appetite. Treatment for anaemia in dogs will depend on the underlying cause and may involve medications, dietary changes, and blood transfusions. If you suspect your dog may be anaemic, take them to the vet for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Causes of Anaemia in Dogs
Anaemia in dogs can be caused by losing too much blood, not getting enough nutrients, having an autoimmune disease, getting sick, having cancer, having kidney disease, taking certain medications, or having a genetic disorder.
How can blood loss cause anaemia in dogs?
Blood loss can lead to anaemia in dogs by reducing the number of red blood cells in circulation. Haemoglobin is present in red blood cells, and this protein carries oxygen to the tissues and organs of the body. When a dog loses blood because of an injury, surgery, or internal bleeding from tumours or parasites, the number of red blood cells in the dog’s body drops.
The severity of the anaemia depends on the amount of blood lost and how quickly the blood loss occurs. In cases of sudden blood loss, the dog may rapidly show signs of anaemia, like being tired, weak, and having pale gums. In cases of chronic blood loss, the dog may develop anaemia gradually, and the symptoms may not be as noticeable until the anaemia is more severe.
Anaemia caused by blood loss may be treated by stopping the bleeding and giving blood transfusions to replace the red blood cells that have been lost. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to repair the source of the bleeding.
How can nutritional deficiencies cause anaemia in dogs?
Dogs can get anaemia when they don’t get enough of certain nutrients, which stop their bodies from making enough red blood cells. Red blood cells need iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid, among other things, to develop properly. If a dog’s food doesn’t have enough of these nutrients, the bone marrow might not be able to make enough red blood cells, which can lead to anaemia.
Haemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that moves oxygen around the body, can’t work without iron. Without enough iron, the bone marrow cannot produce enough haemoglobin, resulting in anaemia. Vitamin B12 and folic acid are also important for the production of red blood cells. Deficiencies in these vitamins can lead to abnormalities in the red blood cells and a decrease in their number.
How can autoimmune diseases cause anaemia in dogs?
Autoimmune diseases can cause anaemia in dogs by causing the immune system to attack the dog’s red blood cells. Usually, the immune system recognizes the body’s cells as “self” and attacks foreign cells, like bacteria or viruses. But in autoimmune diseases, the dog’s immune system attacks its cells because it thinks they are foreign.
In dogs with autoimmune hemolytic anaemia (AIHA), the immune system attacks and destroys red blood cells, leading to a decrease in their number and causing anaemia.
The underlying cause of the autoimmune disease is not always clear, but genetics, infections, medications, and environmental factors can all play a role. The diagnosis of AIHA requires a thorough physical examination, blood tests, and possibly additional tests such as a bone marrow biopsy or an ultrasound.
Immunosuppressive drugs, like steroids, are often used to treat AIHA. These drugs stop the immune system from attacking red blood cells. In severe cases, blood transfusions may also be necessary. It is important to work closely with a veterinarian to manage AIHA and provide ongoing care for the affected dog.
How can infections cause anaemia in dogs?
Some infections can directly damage or destroy red blood cells, leading to anaemia. For example, certain tick-borne diseases like ehrlichiosis and babesiosis can cause red blood cell destruction.
Infections can also cause inflammation throughout the body, which can interfere with the body’s ability to produce red blood cells. This type of anaemia is called anaemia of chronic disease. Infections such as chronic kidney infections or certain fungal infections can lead to this type of anaemia.
Severe infections can cause blood loss, either from internal bleeding or through damage to organs like the intestines or stomach, which can lead to anaemia.
How can cancer cause anaemia in dogs?
Cancer can cause bleeding, either from tumours or from the gastrointestinal tract, leading to a loss of red blood cells and anaemia. Some cancers can interfere with the body’s ability to produce red blood cells. For example, bone marrow cancer or cancer that has spread to the bone marrow can disrupt the production of red blood cells, leading to anaemia.
Some cancers can cause the immune system to attack red blood cells, leading to autoimmune hemolytic anaemia.
How can kidney disease cause anaemia in dogs?
The kidneys produce a hormone called erythropoietin (EPO), which stimulates the bone marrow to produce red blood cells. If the kidneys are not functioning properly, they may not produce enough EPO, resulting in decreased production of red blood cells and anaemia.
Chronic inflammation in the body can be caused by kidney disease, which can make it hard for the body to make red blood cells. This type of anaemia is called anaemia of chronic disease. Severe kidney disease can cause gastrointestinal bleeding, leading to a loss of red blood cells and anaemia.
How can certain medications cause anaemia in dogs?
Some medications can cause damage to red blood cells, leading to their destruction and resulting in anaemia. For example, some antibiotics and chemotherapy drugs can cause red blood cell damage.
Some medications can interfere with the body’s ability to produce red blood cells. For example, some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause kidney damage, which can lead to a decrease in the production of erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates red blood cell production.
Some medicines can cause the body to have a hypersensitivity reaction, which can lead to autoimmune hemolytic anaemia. This can happen with certain antibiotics or anticonvulsant medications.
How can inherited disorders cause anaemia in dogs?
Inherited disorders affecting red blood cells, such as haemophilia or sickle cell disease, can lead to anaemia by affecting the function or lifespan of red blood cells.
Some inherited disorders can affect the body’s ability to produce red blood cells, leading to anaemia. For example, in a liver disease called hereditary copper-associated hepatopathy, the liver isn’t able to metabolize copper properly. This causes copper to build up in the liver and damage red blood cell precursors in the bone marrow, which leads to anaemia.
Inherited immune-mediated disorders can also lead to anaemia. For example, in autoimmune hemolytic anaemia, the dog’s immune system attacks its red blood cells, leading to their destruction and resulting in anaemia. Some breeds, such as the Cocker Spaniel, are more predisposed to autoimmune hemolytic anaemia than others.
It’s important to take your dog to the vet for a proper diagnosis and treatment if you suspect it may be anaemic. To treat the anaemia properly, it will be important to find out what caused it in the first place.
Symptoms of anaemia in dogs
Anaemia in dogs can show up in different ways, depending on what caused it and how bad it is. Here are some common symptoms:
- Lethargy and weakness: Dogs with anaemia often feel tired and weak, and may not have as much energy as usual.
- Pale gums: A dog’s gums normally have a healthy pink colour, but with anaemia, they may appear pale or even white.
- Rapid breathing and heart rate: Anemia can cause the heart to work harder to pump oxygenated blood to the body, resulting in a faster heart rate and breathing rate.
- Loss of appetite: Dogs with anaemia may have a decreased appetite and may not be as interested in food as usual.
- Weight loss: Anemia can lead to weight loss due to a decrease in appetite and decreased energy.
- Jaundice: Anemia can sometimes cause bilirubin to build up in the body, which makes the skin and eyes yellow (jaundice).
- Dark urine: Dogs with anaemia may have dark urine due to the breakdown of red blood cells.
If you suspect your dog may have anaemia, it’s important to take them to a veterinarian for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Anaemia can be a sign of a lot of different problems, some of which are serious and need treatment right away.
Treatment of anaemia in dogs
Anaemia in dogs can be treated in different ways, depending on what caused it and how bad it is. Here are some common treatment options:
- Treating the underlying cause: Anemia is usually a sign of a bigger problem, so treating the bigger problem is the most important part of taking care of anaemia. Depending on the cause, this may involve medication, surgery, or other forms of treatment.
- Blood transfusions: In severe cases of anaemia, a blood transfusion may be needed to replace the lost red blood cells and boost the amount of oxygen in the blood. Blood transfusions can be given as a one-time treatment or may need to be given periodically, depending on the underlying cause of the anaemia.
- Iron supplements: If the anaemia is due to an iron deficiency, iron supplements may be prescribed to help boost red blood cell production.
- Nutritional supplements: Some dogs with anaemia may benefit from vitamin B12 or other nutritional supplements that help boost red blood cell production.
- Medication to help make more red blood cells: Sometimes, medications like erythropoietin or immunosuppressive drugs are given to help the body make more red blood cells.
- Supportive care: To help them get better, dogs with anaemia may need rest, a low-stress environment, and a high-quality diet.
Anaemia is a condition where a dog’s red blood cells are reduced in number or function. This can lead to a decrease in the amount of oxygen that the blood can carry. As a result, the dog’s organs and tissues don’t get the oxygen they need to function properly.
Dogs can develop anaemia for a variety of reasons. It can be caused by disease, injury, or even parasites. Regardless of the cause, it’s important to understand the symptoms and treatment options to ensure your dog gets the care they need.
Several symptoms can indicate anaemia in dogs. These include lethargy, weakness, pale gums, and rapid breathing. If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to take your dog to the vet for a check-up immediately.
It’s important to work closely with a vet to find out what’s causing the anaemia and come up with a plan for how to treat it. Anaemia can be a serious condition, so early diagnosis and treatment are important for the best possible outcome.
Disclaimer:
The information contained in VOSD Vet Advice™ is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical action which is provided by your vet. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information. For any emergency situation related to a dog’s health, please visit the nearest veterinary clinic.
