La anemia in the dog It can be due to several triggers, such as some diseases or insufficient nutrition, even due to toxic foods such as onionThis iron deficiency occurs when the number of red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout the body, decreases. Its most common symptoms include weakness, apathy, or drowsiness, and it requires veterinary treatment to prevent the problem from worsening.
There are different types of canine anemia, which depend on their causes. For example, anemia caused by severe blood loss is very different from anemia caused by a lack of nutrients. It can be diagnosed with a quick blood test called hematocrit (PCV (an acronym in English), which indicates the volume of red blood cells in the bloodstream. Other more detailed tests may also be performed, such as CBC (complete blood cell count), which examines red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
What is canine anemia and how does it affect the body?
La anemia is the decrease in the number of healthy red blood cells (erythrocytes) or functional hemoglobin. In healthy dogs, the hematocrit is usually around 40-60%; values ​​below 30-37% lead to anemia depending on the laboratory and clinical context. Red blood cells are produced in the bone marrow, live approximately between 110 and 120 days and are recycled primarily in the spleen. When they are missing, the transport of oxygen to tissues and organs, causing fatigue, paleness and, in severe cases, life-threatening.
Types of anemia in dogs and common causes
The anemia symptoms they also depend on its cause. They range from mild signs such as pale gums, lethargy or intolerance to physical exercise; even more serious consequences, such as muscle weakness, lack of appetite, fainting, blood in the stool, swelling of the abdomen or seizures, even being fatal. Therefore, before any of these symptoms, it is best that we go to the vet.
In practice, veterinarians distinguish between anemias regenerative (the body responds by producing reticulocytes) and non-regenerativeAmong the most common causes:
- hemorrhagic (blood loss): trauma, surgery, gastrointestinal ulcers or bleeding, tumors, intestinal parasites, fleas and ticks (especially in puppies).
- Hemolytic (destruction of red blood cells): immune-mediated (the immune system destroys the red blood cells), infections such as babesiosis or leptospirosis, toxins (heavy metals, certain plants or drugs), snake bites; also congenital due to rare enzyme defects.
- Of medullary/aplastic origin: failure in production due to tumor infiltration, cytotoxic drugs, chronic kidney disease with low erythropoietin, deficits of iron, vitamin B12 or folic acid, chronic digestive disorders.
- Other clinical pictures described: normocytic normochromic (sometimes requires a transfusion), iron deficiency (due to iron deficiency) or pernicious (B12 deficiency).
Signs you can observe at home
In addition to lethargy and paleness of the gums and mucous membranes, exercise intolerance, drowsiness, tachycardia, and rapid breathing. In hemolytic anemias there may be jaundice (yellowish skin and sclera) or dark urineCold paws and ears, a distended abdomen due to hemorrhage, are also possible. fainting and even seizures. The danger of severe anemia is the collapse under stress.
Veterinary diagnosis step by step
It can be diagnosed with a quick hematocrit (PCV), which indicates the volume of red blood cells in the bloodstream. Other more detailed tests may also be performed, such as the CBC (complete blood cell count), which examines red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
In consultation, mucous membranes and vital signs are assessed and a blood count complete with reticulocytes to differentiate whether it is regenerative. Depending on the suspicion, the following are added:
- Biochemistry, iron profile, B12 and folate.
- Blood smear for erythrocyte morphology.
- Product parasites transmitted by ticks.
- X-rays and abdominal ultrasound to look for masses or bleeding.
- Analysis of urine and heces.
- Aspirate or biopsy of bone marrow in non-regenerative anemias.
Treatment: options depending on the cause
He will know what is the most recommended treatment for our dog, which in turn will depend on the circumstances of each case. For example, if it is an anemia caused by sudden blood loss, it will be necessary an immediate transfusion.
On the other hand, if the anemia is the consequence of a lack of nutrients, called "Iron deficiency anemia", the expert will advise us on a specific diet to solve it. Although sometimes it's necessary to take a vitamin supplement or medication. Another possibility is that the problem is caused by infections caused by parasites such as ticks; in that case, we'll need to treat them with products recommended by a specialist.
In anemias hemorrhagicIn addition to transfusing, the source of bleeding (ulcers, tumors, parasites) is corrected. In anemias immune-mediated hemolytic are scheduled corticosteroids and immunosuppressants and, if severe, transfusions; in select cases, this may be considered splenectomy. When the cause is a cancer, surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy may be required. In cases of bone marrow failure, medications are adjusted and the underlying disease is treated; in cases of kidney disease, erythropoietin under veterinary control.
Prognosis and when to worry
The severity depends on the underlying cause and the speed of onset. The sooner the source is identified, the better the chances of recoveryAnemia is not contagious, although it can be caused by infectious diseases. The decision to euthanize is only considered when suffering is unavoidable and there are no reasonable options for improvement.
Prevention, diet and daily care
Prevention is based on periodic check-ups, external and internal deworming continued, avoid toxins and unsupervised risk medications (such as some NSAIDs), and travel with antiparasitic protection if you are going to endemic areas. Keep a physical activity according to your condition and control your weight.
The diet should be balanced, with a good supply of proteins, iron y Vitamin B12Natural foods such as liver and lean meats can be helpful, clams and cockles, sardines and eggs, along with Vitamin C to promote iron absorption. Always consult your veterinarian before introducing supplements. If you follow a raw diet (BARF), avoid mixing it in the same feed with feed and respects intervals between meals; in the BARF diet it is integrated in a planned manner.
Identify early pale gums, abnormal tiredness or exercise intolerance and go to the vet quickly It makes a difference. With a correct diagnosis and a plan tailored to the cause, most dogs with anemia can be stabilized and regain quality of life.