Anemia in Dogs

Anemia is when the body does not produce enough red blood cells. There are a few different types of anemia that a dog can experience. Here, our Eastham vets explain the types of anemia in dogs, including symptoms, and how it is diagnosed.

What is anemia in dogs?

Anemia is not typically a condition on its own in dogs, it is usually caused by an underlying condition. Anemia occurs when the body doesn’t produce enough red blood cells or hemoglobin, or when dogs suffer severe blood loss due to conditions such as cancer or stomach ulcers, or trauma such as an injury or accident.

The Different Types of Anemia in Dogs & What They Affect

• Blood loss anemia: Caused by severe loss of blood caused by injury, surgery, or a bleeding disorder. This form of anemia may also be caused by internal bleeding due to parasites, cancer, ulcers, or other conditions.
• Hemolytic anemia: Resulting from the destruction or breakdown of red blood cells. Often the result of immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), or non-immune mediated is caused by hereditary disease, toxins, low phosphorous levels, or parasites.
• Aplastic or non-regenerative anemia: Insufficient production of red blood cells is the cause of this form of anemia. This may occur due to toxin exposure (poisoning), bone marrow disease, kidney disease, parvovirus, chemotherapy drugs, or certain medications.
• Methemoglobinemia: High amounts of methemoglobin in the blood caused by certain genetic disorders, or exposure to toxins including some human medications such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and benzocaine.

How is anemia in dogs diagnosed?

Anemia needs to be officially diagnosed and tested to find out which type of anemia your dog has, and what’s causing it. Your veterinarian may do a series of blood tests for diagnostic purposes, in addition to ultrasounds, X-rays, and imaging.

Blood tests can include the PCV (packed cell volume) test, which measures the percentage of red blood cells in your dog’s bloodstream. If your dog's levels register at lower than 35 percent, they'd be classified as anemic.

Other tests can include blood smears and bone marrow biopsies, which can help your vet find out whether the anemia is responsive or unresponsive.

If your dog is diagnosed with responsive anemia, this means their bone marrow is attempting to correct the anemia. But if their bone marrow is not responding as it should, this would be unresponsive anemia. Hemolytic anemia occurs when a dog’s body destroys or loses red blood cells.

What symptoms are associated with anemia in dogs?

When a pet has anemia, they may display one or more of the following symptoms:

What causes anemia in dogs?

Because anemia is a symptom rather than a disease, there are many conditions which can lead to anemia in dogs, including:

Is anemia fatal for dogs?

Anemia in dogs should always be taken seriously as it can sometimes indicate that your dog is suffering from a very serious or possibly fatal condition such as poisoning, cancer, or autoimmune conditions. If your dog is showing any of the signs or symptoms of anemia, contact your veterinarian immediately to schedule an appointment.

Is anemia in dogs treatable?

The prognosis for anemia in dogs depends on the cause and whether treatment is available for the underlying condition causing the anemia. Once your vet has diagnosed your dog's anemia they will recommend the best possible treatment. Some treatments that may be recommended by your vet include:

How can anemia in dogs be prevented?

Since anemia isn't a condition on its own, prevention will come down to preventing the illnesses and conditions that cause it. Parasite prevention against ticks, fleas, and worms is one way to help protect your dog against developing anemia. Keeping toxic substances far out of your dog's reach, and providing your dog with a healthy diet may also help.

Breeds such as American Cocker Spaniels, Labrador Retrievers, Miniature Schnauzers, and Shih Tzus are particularly susceptible to anemia, so regular wellness examinations yearly at your primary care veterinarian can help to detect the early signs of anemia and provide treatment before the condition becomes more severe.

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 believe your dog has anemia, contact our Eastham vets today to book an appointment.