Anemia in Dogs

Anemia is when the body does not produce enough red blood cells. Dogs may experience several different types of anemia. Here, our Killen vets share the different types of anemia in dogs, as well as the symptoms and how they are diagnosed.

What is anemia in dogs?

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

The Different Types of Anemia in Dogs

• 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 are 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 must be officially diagnosed and tested to determine 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 his levels register at lower than 35 percent, he’d be classified as anemic.

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

If your dog is diagnosed with responsive anemia, their bone marrow attempts to correct it. 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 are the symptoms of 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:

Can a dog die from anemia?

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

Is anemia painful for dogs?

While anemia itself is not painful for dogs, the underlying medical condition that causes it may result in other painful symptoms.

Can anemia in dogs be cured?

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 your vet may recommend 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 a healthy diet may also help.

If your dog is a breed susceptible to developing anemia, including American Cocker Spaniels, Labrador Retrievers, Miniature Schnauzers, and Shih Tzus, regular wellness examinations twice yearly at your primary care veterinarian can help 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 see any concerning symptoms in your dog, please contact our Killen vets at Center Star Veterinary Services to schedule an examination.