Diagnosing And Treating Anemia In Dogs

When our Riverside County veterinarians diagnose anemia in dogs, it is viewed as a symptom of an underlying condition rather than the main condition. If anemia has been diagnosed in your dog, here is what you ought to know about the causes, symptoms and treatments.

Anemia In Dogs

Anemia in dogs is a condition that is usually viewed as a symptom of an underlying disease, illness or trauma. Anemia occurs when either your pet's body doesn't produce enough red blood cells or hemoglobin, or if your dog suffers severe blood loss due to a medical condition such as cancer, or due to trauma such as a serious accident or injury.

There are 4 different types of anemia that dogs can suffer from:

Blood Loss Anemia

Blood loss anemia occurs in dogs due to severe loss of blood caused by injury, surgery, or a bleeding disorder. This form of anemia could also be caused by internal bleeding caused by parasites, cancer, ulcers or other conditions.

Hemolytic Anemia

Hemolytic Anemia happens due to the destruction or breakdown of the dog's red blood cells. This form of anemia can result from immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA), autoimmune hemolytic anemia- (AIHA), or non-immune mediated causes such as hereditary disease, parasites, toxins, or low phosphorous levels.

Aplastic or Non-Regenerative Anemia

Aplastic or non-regenerative anemia is caused by insufficient production of red blood cells and can occur in dogs due to toxin exposure (poisoning), bone marrow disease, kidney disease, parvovirus, certain medications, or chemotherapy drugs.

Methemoglobinemia

In dogs, methemoglobinemia is caused by too much methemoglobin in the blood due to certain genetic disorders, or exposure to toxins including some human medications such as benzocaine, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen.

Symptoms Of Anemia In Dogs

If your dog is anemic, you may notice one or more of the following signs and symptoms. These symptoms will vary based upon the underlying cause of the condition, and the type of anemia causing the symptoms.

What causes anemia in dogs?

There are a number of conditions that can cause anemia in your dog, including:

Treatment For Dogs With Anemia

The treatment recommended by your vet will be based upon the underlying cause of the condition. Some of the treatments that your vet may recommend include:

Prognosis For Dogs With Anemia

The prognosis for dogs with anemia is dependent on the effectiveness of treatments available for your pet's underlying illness.

Sadly, anemia can indicate that your dog is suffering from a very serious or life-threatening condition such as cancer, autoimmune conditions or poisoning. Which is why pet parents should always take the symptoms of anemia seriously. If your dog is showing any of the signs of anemia listed above, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible to schedule an examination.

Prevention

When it comes to preventing anemia, the focus should be on prevention to stop more severe conditions before they develop. Year-round parasite prevention medications to protect your dog against ticks, fleas, and worms is one way to help your dog avoid developing anemia. Keeping toxic substances far out of your dog's reach, and providing your dog with a healthy diet may also help to prevent your dog from developing anemia.

If your dog is a breed that is susceptible to developing anemia (e.g. American Cocker Spaniels, Labrador Retrievers, Miniature Schnauzers, and Shih Tzus) regular twice-yearly wellness examinations at your primary care vet may help to detect the early signs of anemia and start treatment before the condition worsens.

Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.

If you think that your dog is showing signs of anemia, contact Riverside County veterinarians. We can offer diagnoses and treatment options for your canine companion.