Anemia (blood deficiency) is a disease in which the body doesn’t make enough hemoglobin or RBCs, or the body suffers from extreme blood loss as a result of any medical conditions. Anemia can also be due to a severe degree of injury or accident.
Anemia in Dogs:
Dog Walker SF says “If your dog is suffering from Anemia, it often points out that your dog is suffering from an underlying medical condition or illness.”
Dogs suffering from Anemia show very little energy; their stamina is very low, so they often seem tired and weak. Including this, they show a gradual decline in their weight and appetite.
Different Types of Anemia:
There are various types of Anemia, namely:
- Blood loss Anemia
- Non-Regenerative Anemia
- Methemoglobinemia
- Hemolytic Anemia
Symptoms of Anemia in Dogs:
If your lovely dog is experiencing any of the types mentioned above Anemia, you may notice the following symptoms:
- Stool color changes to black
- Severe vomiting
- Decrease in appetite
- Gradual loss of weight
- Increase heart rate
- Rapid breathing
- Swelling of face
- Swelling of jaws
- Pale eyes
- Fatigue
- Weakness
Causes of Anemia in Dogs:
Several conditions might result in Anemia in your dogs; a few most common ones are:
- If the dog is taking poor nutrition food
- Lyme disease
- Tick-borne disease
- Suffering from any type of cancer
- Cushing disease
- If the dog has an infectious disease
- If your dog is already taking medication that interferes with the making of hemoglobin
- If the dog went through severe injury or had an accident
- Due to kidney disease
- Hypothyroidism can also be the cause
- Poisons and toxins
Diagnosis:
Several different methods and tests are regularly performed to diagnose the disease.
The packed cell volume or hematocrit is the most commonly performed as a part of the CBC complete blood count test.
In general, normal dogs have around 35% to 50% of Red blood cells in their blood, so if the above-mentioned test shows less than 35 percent Red blood cells, the dog is considered Anemia.
Other than these tests, Red blood cell counts and ABS hemoglobin count tests can also be performed for diagnosis.
Treatment for Anemia in Dogs:
Anemia is a fatal and serious condition that requires aggressive and effective treatment on time. Anemia can indicate severe conditions like toxins, cancers, or other autoimmune disorders.
Treatment suggested by the Vet is based on the causing agent; some treatments that they might suggest could include:
- By IV fluids
- Getting chemotherapy done
- By Blood transfusion
- They also might suggest surgery
- Can recommend antibiotics or immunosuppressive drugs
Prevention:
Anemia is a fatal condition; necessary steps should be taken to prevent Anemia which includes:
- Keeping toxins and poisonous things away from dogs, providing them with healthy food and lifestyle.
- Protecting them from worms, ticks, and fleas.
- Regularly visit the doctor for scheduled checkups.
Conclusion:
Anemia is a serious medical condition that requires proper treatment and diagnosis. It can be caused by numerous factors and underlying conditions and can also be treated if its diagnosis is made properly. However, there are some precautions and prevention that could lead to no anemic condition in dogs and can prevent them by getting any degree of Anemia.
Reference:
https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/anemia-in-dogs
