Anemia in Dogs

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Anemia in Dogs

By: Dr. Erika De Papp

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Section: Overview

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Anemia is defined as a low red blood cell count and can be caused by a number of different processes, including blood loss, red blood cell destruction, and inadequate red blood cell production.

The aforementioned categories of anemia can be caused by trauma, cancer, immune-mediated disease, which is a disease in which the body attacks its own cells or organs, infectious disease, toxins, genetic defects, inflammatory disease, iron deficiency, drug reactions, kidney failure, and generalized chronic (long term) illness.

Because there are so many different types and causes of anemia, there is no gender or age predisposition for anemia. Individual disease processes may be more common in certain age groups and breeds, so it is important to characterize the type of anemia present.

The impact of anemia on your pet will depend on the cause of the anemia as well as the severity of the anemia.

Additionally, animals with a sudden onset of anemia may be clinically sicker than animals with chronic anemia. This is due to the fact that animals can become partially adapted to the anemia over time, and may feel relatively good in spite of the anemia.

What to Watch For

Generalized weakness

Pale gums

Increased respiratory rate

Episodes of collapse

Evidence of blood loss

Blood in the urine or feces

External blood loss

Decreased appetite

Yellow discoloration of the skin

Abdominal distension

Vomiting

Weight loss

Depending on the underlying cause of the anemia, your pet may show some or all of these signs. Some pets may not show any signs at all.