Anemia In Dogs Explained: The Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Anemia is an abnormally low red blood cell count. In veterinary medicine, anemia is one of the most common clinical abnormalities. Anemia in dogs can occur for a variety of reasons and we classify the type of anemia into regenerative (red blood cell loss or destruction) and nonregenerative anemias (lack of red blood cell production). Symptoms of anemia in dogs depend on the duration and severity of the anemia. Common symptoms include pale gums, lethargy, and weakness and treatment depends on the cause of the anemia. A canine red blood cell has a normal lifespan of 110-115 days. Cats' red blood cells have a lifespan of 70-75 days. Spleen, liver, and bone marrow remove RBCs from circulation as normal age-related damage occurs.

What are the different types of anemia in dogs?

There are two main types of anemia in dogs: regenerative anemia and non-regenerative anemia. Regenerative anemia is anemia that is caused by the loss or destruction of red blood cells. A non-regenerative anemia is an anemia that is caused by a lack of red blood cell production. Each type of anemia can have a variety of different causes.

Regenerative anemia

Regenerative anemia is the most common type of anemia in dogs. This type of anemia can be caused by a number of possibilities, including blood loss due to trauma, hemorrhage (internal or external), or diseases that cause the destruction of the red blood cells.

Blood loss anemia in dogs

This type of anemia occurs when there is an abnormal loss of red blood cells, either internally due to internal hemorrhage or externally due to trauma. Common causes of blood loss are severe gastrointestinal diseases (e.g. gastric ulcers), bleeding masses (e.g. splenic masses), coagulopathies (e.g. rodenticide poisoning), and thrombocytopenia (low platelet counts).

Hemolytic anemia in dogs

Hemolytic anemia causes the destruction of red blood cells as they circulate through your dog’s body. Hemolytic anemia in dogs can be immune-mediated anemia, which is when the body’s own immune system attacks and destroys red blood cells, or non-immune-mediated anemia. Immune-mediated anemias are caused by a variety of diseases. Common causes include immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA), infectious canine hepatitis, distemper, and leptospirosis. Non-immune mediated anemias are caused by oxidative stress to the red blood cells due to a variety of toxins such as lead, onion/garlic, and zinc toxicosis.

Non-regenerative anemia

Non-regenerative anemia occurs when the bone marrow stops producing red blood cells due to an underlying disease. This anemia can be caused by anemia of chronic diseases, iron deficiency anemias, cancer-associated anemia, and bone marrow failure. Chronic renal disease leads to non-regenerative anemia from decreased production of erythropoietin by the kidneys. Erythropoietin is normally produced by the kidneys and stimulates the bone marrow to produce red blood cells. Hypothyroidism or Addison's disease may also cause nonregenerative anemia in dogs Thyroid and cortisol hormones stimulate red blood cell production and improve the effects of erythropoietin.

Iron deficiency anemia

Iron deficiency anemia can be non-regenerative or regenerative. Iron is required for hemoglobin production and most of the iron in the body is within hemoglobin. Iron deficiency can result from hemorrhage and rarely from a lack of dietary iron intake.

What are the symptoms of anemia in dogs?

The most common anemia symptoms in dogs include pale gums, lethargy, and weakness. Other general anemia symptoms may include decreased appetite, weight loss, and an elevated heart rate. Symptoms depend on the duration and severity of anemia as well as the cause of the anemia.

How is anemia diagnosed in dogs?

Anemia is diagnosed in dogs by a complete blood count (CBC). The CBC will determine the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in your dog’s bloodstream. In addition, an evaluation of the red blood cell size and shape (called morphology) may be performed. This evaluation can help to determine if the anemia is caused by the destruction of red blood cells (hemolytic anemia) or a lack of production of red blood cells (non-regenerative anemia).

What is the treatment for anemia in dogs?

Anemia is treated by identifying and treating the underlying cause. If the anemia is very severe, your veterinarian may recommend an emergency blood transfusion to help your dog survive until an underlying cause can be found.

How to prevent anemia in dogs?

The best way to prevent anemia in dogs is through early diagnosis and treatment of diseases that are known to cause anemias such as autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, and cancer. Prevention of blood loss anemia in dogs can be accomplished by treating gastrointestinal diseases and removal of masses that are causing blood loss, if possible.

Anemia in dogs is a condition in which the red blood cell count is low. This can be due to a variety of reasons, including loss of blood, destruction of red blood cells, or a lack of red blood cell production. Symptoms of anemia include pale gums, lethargy, and weakness. Treatment depends on the cause of the anemia. Prevention of anemia in dogs includes early diagnosis and treatment of diseases that can cause anemia.