92

Summery :

1. How to recognize anemia in dogs? Clinical signs
2. What causes anemia in dogs? Causes
3. How to treat anemia in dogs? Treatments
4. What is the prognosis for anemia in dogs?
   

Anemia is a medical term that refers to a reduced number of circulating red blood cells or erythrocytes (RBCs), hemoglobin (Hb or Hgb), or both . It is not a specific disease, but rather a complication of other disease processes or conditions.

Red blood cells are produced in the bone marrow and released into the blood, where they circulate for about three months. As they age or become damaged, they are removed from the bloodstream by the spleen and partly recycled to form new red blood cells. The number of red blood cells can be reduced due to defective or slowed synthesis , increased destruction or lysis, or increased loss , typically from internal or external hemorrhage (bleeding).

Red blood cells and the hemoglobin they contain are designed to deliver oxygen to cells in various body tissues ; therefore, an anemic dog will suffer from symptoms related to hypoxia (lack of oxygen).

1- How to recognize anemia in dogs? Clinical signs

The most common and easily detectable clinical sign of anemia is the loss of the normal pink colour of the gums , which will appear pale , almost white .

Anemic dogs also have little stamina or energy ; they will appear lethargic and tire easily, sometimes to the point of collapse .

Additional signs may include weight loss , shortness of breath , loss of appetite , rapid heartbeat , and blood loss (from the nose , in the stool , urine , or vomit ).

Pale gums and lethargy indicate the need for blood tests as soon as possible.

How is canine anemia diagnosed?

The main test is the haematological one , more precisely the complete blood count (CBC).

The most common test to diagnose anemia is the packed cell volume (PCV), also called the hematocrit (HCT).

In a normal dog , 35% to 55% of the blood will be made up of red blood cells . If the PCV is less than 35% , the dog is generally considered anemic .

Other tests to determine anemia include red blood cell count and hemoglobin count .

When a low red blood cell count is found, it is important to know whether the bone marrow is producing more new red blood cells in response to the ones that are being lost. This is because when the body detects anemia, it prematurely releases immature (young) red blood cells from the bone marrow, and these, called reticulocytes , can be stained in the laboratory for easier identification on a blood smear .

The presence of an increased number of reticulocytes indicates that the anemia is responsive . This means that the body has identified the anemia (responding) and is attempting to correct the deficiency by releasing immature red blood cells. This parameter helps the veterinarian determine the body’s response to the anemia.

It is also important to study the blood smear to look for parasites that could cause the destruction of red blood cells or abnormal cells that could indicate leukemia (elevated white blood cell count ). In addition, agglutination test may be performed on the slide, to rule out the presence of autoimmune hemolytic anemia.

If there is concern that the bone marrow is not responding adequately to the anemic state (nonresponsive or nonregenerative anemia), a bone marrow biopsy or aspirate may also be performed .

Other important tests for anemic dogs are a biochemical profile and urinalysis . These tests evaluate organ function and electrolyte levels , providing important information about the dog’s overall health.

Fecal parasite testing can identify pathogens in the intestinal tract that may be causing blood loss.

Imaging studies such as X-rays ( x -rays ) or ultrasound may be recommended to help determine the cause.

[blockquote align=”none” author=”Steve Jobs”]Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking[/blockquote]

2- What causes anemia in dogs? Causes

Many diseases can cause anemia. We can group them as follows:

• diseases that cause blood loss ;
• diseases that cause hemolysis (breakdown or destruction of red blood cells);
• diseases that reduce the production of red blood cells through bone marrow suppression.

What diseases cause blood loss?

The main causes of blood loss in dogs include:

• trauma or injury to blood vessels or internal organs , causing persistent bleeding;
• heavy infestations of blood-sucking parasites, such as fleas , ticks and hookworms;
• tumors (benign or malignant) of the intestinal tract, kidneys, bladder, or spleen that begin to bleed;
• diseases that prevent blood from clotting properly .

What diseases cause hemolysis?

The main causes of hemolysis in dogs include:

• autoimmune diseases , particularly immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA or AIHA);
• blood parasites such as Babesia ( babesiosis );
• chemicals or toxins (e.g. zinc , rat poison, onions , or garlic );
• cancer ;
• mechanical fragmentation (e.g. heartworm disease , splenic torsion, heart disease )

What diseases prevent the production of red blood cells by suppressing the bone marrow?

The main causes of bone marrow suppression in dogs include:

• any serious or chronic disease (such as chronic kidney or liver disease, Ehrlichia );
• very poor diet or nutritional imbalances;
• autoimmune disease;
• hypothyroidism ;
• chemicals or toxins (estrogen drugs , lead , some chemotherapy drugs , rarely some antibiotics such as chloramphenicol and trimethoprim-sulfadiazine);
• cancer.

Do dogs suffer from dietary iron deficiency anemia?

Iron deficiency anemia is a common disease in people – especially women.

Similarly, iron deficiency can also be common in dogs, but is usually secondary to the above causes.

Occasionally, it is seen in puppies that are fed very poor diets, or that have severe hookworm infections.

3- How to treat anemia in dogs? Treatments

If the dog’s anemia is so severe that it is life-threatening, a blood transfusion will be necessary to stabilize the dog while the underlying cause is investigated. Before subjecting the dog to this treatment, it is obviously necessary to understand the blood type .

Further treatments are determined once the cause has been diagnosed. For example, drugs such as:  corticosteroids (especially for autoimmune hemolytic anemia), anthelmintics (drugs against worms such as pyrantel or fenbendazole), vitamin K1 in case of toxicity due to some rodenticide poisons, antibiotics such as doxycycline against some infectious causes or surgery (in case of damaged organs such as the spleen or liver ).

Your veterinarian will outline a treatment plan specific to your dog’s needs based on the results of the diagnostic tests.

What is the prognosis for anemia in dogs?

The prognosis for dogs with anemia is based on the specific diagnosis and the dog’s condition at the time of diagnosis.

If anemia is diagnosed early and the dog is in relatively good health, the prognosis is good.

Dogs suffering from severe anemia, caused by toxins, cancer or autoimmune diseases or severe trauma, have a less favorable prognosis; but the final word always belongs to the veterinarian, who must carefully analyze all the factors involved.