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Yes, your dog can have anemia, but only a veterinarian can determine this.
Canine anemia is a condition where your dog has an inadequate production of normal red blood cells, which are necessary for carrying oxygen around the body. The symptoms of this vary from mild to severe depending on how severe their cases. When anemia presents itself in dogs, the first obvious symptom is a shortness of breath. To clarify, it’s usually not quite so simple as shortness of breath.
No, the way that the dog is breathing out of breath, more like they’re not able to get enough oxygen into their bodies due to insufficient red blood cells. Anemia can present in one of two ways: during periods or as persistent. During periods you’ll find your dog is simply breathing a little heavier and has a noticeable loss in stamina and energy.
Causes of anemia in dogs
Anemia can be caused by different things, including blood loss in traumatic events (such as a car accident) or possibly even parasites. It’s important to keep a good record of all your dog’s symptoms. This can help you determine what other things may have caused the condition and how long your dog has had it.
What you need to do is keep an eye on their symptoms, try to determine the root cause, and maintain them as much as possible.
Table of Contents
what causes enemia in dogs?
Anemia is a fairly common condition. It’s usually very mild and not difficult to diagnose. Most dogs are diagnosed with anemia when their veterinarian determines the number of red blood cells in their blood.
The test involves a blood sample being drawn, and then some special tests are run on that sample to determine how many red blood cells there are, and what their overall health is like.
Anemia in dogs is usually due to a deficiency in red blood cell production. This is usually caused by some kind of problem within the dog’s bone marrow.
The most common problems are:
- An insufficient amount of nutrients and iron being absorbed from the dog’s diet. *Blood loss
- Infectious diseases that cause inflammation in your dog’s bone marrow (such as canine ehrlichiosis).Infectious diseases and parasites that infect red blood cells directly (such as hookworms, fleas, roundworms, etc.
- Trauma to the body (such as a car accident).
Canine anemia treatment: Treatment depends on the severity of your dog’s disease and how quickly it was diagnosed.
Usually, mild cases can be treated at home fairly easily by reducing the amount of activity, and administering frequent, small meals (in addition to your normal dog food) that are high in iron and nutrients.
Your veterinarian can determine the exact cause of your dog’s anemia with further testing.
A Few Other Common causes of anemia in dogs?
*Hypothyroidism *Cancer *Cushing’s disease *Poisons or toxins *Bleeding from the intestines
Types of anemia in dogs
There are a handful of anemias that dogs can be affected by. We will mention a few types of anemia in dogs and give you a little bit of information about each.
Aplastic anemia –
What is aplastic anemia in dogs?
Aplastic anemia is one of the rarest forms of canine hematopoiesis, but it has also proven to be one of the most difficult diseases for veterinarians to diagnose and treat.
Lack of enough red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. – Aplastic anemia is not commonly seen in dogs. – It is caused by a number of factors, including immune-mediated diseases, emotional trauma (such as that experienced from being hit by a car), surgical procedures, infections, and toxins.
Aplastic anemia is one of the leading causes of veterinary hospitalization in dogs.
Iron deficiency anemia in dogs –
Is a condition where there are lower than normal levels of iron in the blood and tissues. Most people are familiar with iron deficiency in humans, but it can also occur in dogs. Dogs with iron deficiency anemia may have pale or tinged gums due to decreased production of red blood cells.
Common causes of iron deficiency anemia in dogs include:
The same as us, anemia is caused by a lack of iron in the blood. Iron deficiency anemia can lead to mild or severe symptoms depending on the severity of the anemia in both dogs and people.
In humans, mild iron deficiency anemia causes fatigue and decreased energy level, irritability, abdominal discomfort (especially during menstruation), and failure to gain weight despite adequate food intake.
Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia in Dogs –
This is when the blood cells are damaged and destroyed prematurely. Hemolytic anemia can lead to the destruction of red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets in your pet’s bloodstream. This can lead to cell death, a life-threatening infection, and eventually organ failure if not treated properly with a fast response and aggressive treatment plan.
Symptoms and Types
Your dog’s symptoms will depend on which blood cell type is affected. The most common symptoms can include:
- Coughing or difficulty swallowing
- Tightness in the chest [breathing difficulty]
- Fatigue or weakness
- Diarrhea
- Lack of energy or jitteriness (may be caused by low blood sugar)
Anemia in dogs caused by vitamin deficiency –
Vitamin Deficiency Anemia is when a dog has low levels of red blood cells, a disease that can be caused by many things such as chronic health conditions, hereditary problems, or dietary deficiencies. The causes and treatment of this condition depend on the underlying cause.”
Vitamin deficiency anemia disease in Dogs is the fact that dogs are susceptible to erythropoietic protoporphyria which makes their bones fragile and prone to fractures. That is why it’s so important to identify the cause and seek help from your local veterinarian.
Anemia caused by inflammation in dogs –
The main symptom of anemia caused by inflammation in dogs is a loss of appetite. It can also be accompanied by weight loss, listlessness, and fatigue. Other symptoms may include pale gums, weakness during exercise, or reduced resistance to infection.
When the cause is diagnosed as anemia due to inflammation, treatment typically involves medications intended for controlling the inflammation that causes the anemia.
Vitamin B12 deficiency in dogs –
Vitamin B12 deficiency in dogs is when the blood levels of vitamin B12 are low, and is an indication that the animal is not getting enough of this vitamin. Dogs that have a Vitamin B12 deficiency can show symptoms such as lethargy, lack of appetite, weight loss, and pale-colored or thinning hair.
Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia in dogs can be resolved when they correct their diet or take prescribed medication orally to deal with it, but your vet may suggest that you give your dog either supplements or injections of vitamin B12 to improve his condition.
Can I prevent my dog from developing anemia?
Yes! Many factors can cause anemia in dogs, so it is possible in some cases to prevent anemia by providing an adequate diet and nutrition.
Dogs require certain nutrients from the food that are not present in a pill form. It is important to make sure your dog’s needs are being met by feeding them properly.
If you are concerned that your dog may have a nutritional deficiency, speak with your veterinarian about the type of foods and supplements that would best suit this concern.
Can anemia be fatal to dogs?
The answer to that is tricky. There are a few different types of anemia, and not all of them are fatal to canines. Anemia diagnosis in dogs is tricky because many dogs can suffer from a blood disorder without actually being anemic.
Anemia is a condition that occurs when there are fewer red blood cells, hemoglobin, or oxygen in the body than normal. This can lead to dizziness and light-headedness as well as difficulty breathing.
These symptoms will increase if the anemia gets worse and affects other organs in addition to the heart and circulatory system. Anemic dogs may also have elevated heart rates along with heavy breathing and/or dilated pupils.
What foods help dogs with anemia?
What kind of foods can help dogs with anemia? Well, it depends. Depending on which type of anemia your dog has, it will have different needs.
There is no rule as to what dog food (or food in general) should or should not be given to your dog. What works for one dog may not work for another, and the same goes for humans too! That’s why it’s important to know what type of anemia your pet has.
The first step is always talking to your vet, but we recommend that you also do some research on the internet about the foods you can give your pet with different types of anemia.
Most people think that anything that high in iron is going to help, but some dogs have trouble absorbing iron, so giving them vet recommended supplements can be more helpful.
But, if your dog has a different type of anemia, then his/her diet may be different from the same food given to other dogs. So, there is no one-size-fits-all approach.
Before we go into the details on how each type of anemia affects its need for foods, let’s first look at what they are:
Anemia is a condition where your dog does not have enough red blood cells (also called hemoglobin). This is what happens when your dog doesn’t have enough iron in his system.
Other names for anemia include “iron deficiency” and “iron-deficiency anemia.” But, iron deficiency is not the only condition that causes anemia.
Anemia can be due to any of the following reasons:
Stunted Growth (also called iron-deficient anemia) is a condition where your dog does not have enough iron to grow at the normal rate. This is also called idiopathic or nonregenerative aplasia, as its cause is unknown. Iron-deficient anemia in dogs is usually caused by intestinal malabsorption, meaning that your dog’s ability to absorb iron is affected. It can also be due to diseases that affect the body’s ability to produce new red blood cells or destroy old ones.
Iron deficiency anemia is the most common cause of anemia in dogs, and some foods your vet may recommend for your dog would be:
Vegetables such as broccoli, kale, spinach, and root vegetables such as whole white potatoes and sweet potatoes.
It’s important to get some light exercise after eating these foods. Light exercise like a walk or playtime helps your pet digest the food better.
Other causes include vitamin B12 deficiency, lead poisoning, and parasitic infestations, such as heartworms. A dog may also have an iron deficiency if he is weaned too early (before the age of 1) or fed too little–for example, if you feed him kibble for one month and nothing else.
If your dog has vitamin B12 deficiency, some foods that may be good for them are:
• Brown rice
• Lentils
• Flaxseed
• Lamb or beef heart (“these are typical ingredients in dog foods – always check the label as some dog foods contain only chicken by-products and pork liver”)
You can also give your pet vitamin C, which helps him to absorb it better.
It is NOT common to find a healthy dog with anemia. If your dog is anemic, it can means either that he has been losing blood or has had a decrease in red blood cells and/or hemoglobin because of some medical condition.
Iron deficiency, compared to anemia, is transient. This means that once your dog has received the right amount of iron and has been able to process it for a while, his symptoms go away. If he is losing blood again, it means that he is not processing the iron he receives.
Thiamine deficiency in dogs can also cause anemia (called thiamine-responsive anemia), but not always.
Some food that may be beneficial for thiamine deficiency in dogs is:
- liver and other organ meats, egg yolk, whole grains, soybeans, and sunflower seeds (small quantities).
You need to talk with your veterinarian to find the cause, appropriate treatment, and food plan.
treatments for anemia in dogs
Spending any time online you know there an endless amount of information. If you’re looking for “treatments for anemia,” you may feel completely lost. You may never have heard of it before, or even seen an article on it.
The first step is to determine the cause of your dog’s anemia. Some causes can be caused by a change in diet and/or environment, while others can be side effects of medications or diseases.
Talk to your veterinarian about any advice you’re given. If there are any questions you have about treatment or medication, ask them.
Make sure have kept a journal and documented your dog’s health history & symptoms, this will help your vet decide what the next step is.
If your dog’s anemia is determined by your veterinarian, they can now help them be better, and there are numerous options depending on what the cause is.
Here are some options your vet may consider:
- Altering current
- medications
- Deworming or
- parasite medications
- Immunosuppressive drugs
- Hemoglobin infusion therapy
- Iron preparation
- Antibiotics for bacterial infections
- Steroids
- Gastrointestinal medication
- Bone marrow transfusion
- Intravenous fluids
Remember, the best way to determine if your dog has anemia is by periodic blood work.
Your veterinarian will be your best defense against anemia!
Conclusion
The best advice is to keep a journal and write down what your dog eats, other things you are giving, or symptoms & behaviors. The more information you have for your vet, the more easily they will be able to figure it out.
This is especially true for dogs that are older. Anemia can also be very hard to figure out because it comes in many forms. The most obvious form of anemia is a drop in the number of red blood cells, which is called hypochromic. This type of anemia is the main reason that dogs are being diagnosed with anemia every year now.
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
Anemia can be very serious for dogs, and is often seen in cases of chronic infectious disease. Anemia is a condition in which the body doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells, which carry oxygen to your tissues.
This can cause impaired or weakened ability to function, and some serious physical effects such as an increase in heart rate.
These effects can present during times of stress. Anemia is caused by low levels of nutrients in the body and often due to inadequate nutrition for long periods of time; but other causes include genetic disorders, toxic effects on bone marrow, or hypoxia (low levels of oxygen).
Ways I can help a dog with anemia:
-Feed a healthy, high-quality diet with supplements as necessary
-Check for parasites/internal infections and treat if needed
-Take the dog for frequent walks
-Allow the dog to get off leash frequently and run free in safe, enclosed areas like dog parks or your backyard
-Increase the amount of fresh water, although not too much (dogs can become overhydrated) -Spend plenty of time playing or training with your dog; exercise helps keep their body healthy and immune system strong.
Some of the best sources of iron for a dog are meat, spinach, and dark green vegetables such as kale. However, some dogs have trouble digesting raw meat due to their stomachs being unable to break down the proteins found in raw meat. A good alternative is to feed your dog a food that has been cooked in chicken broth. This makes it easier for your dog’s digestive system to break down the protein.
Liver can be a great option when it comes to treating anemia in dogs.
If you have a dog suffering from anemia, then you may want to consider feeding them a diet including liver.
This is because it is packed with iron and fatty acids. Additionally, this diet will provide your pup with natural energy, which can result in an overall healthier and happier life. Some people add chicken livers as well for added benefits of food variety as well as vitamin D3.
Yes, any dog can be born with anemia.
Anemia is defined as low levels of hemoglobin, which is responsible for the red color in your blood cells. Dogs can be born with any level of anemia. If the mother doesn’t have enough iron or other nutrients during pregnancy, this will affect both her and her puppies’ levels of hemoglobin leading to newborns that are mildly to moderately anemic.
sources
- https://www.animalhospitalofclemmons.com/site/veterinary-pet-care-blog/2020/06/12/anemia-dogs-signs-symptoms
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/anemia-in-dogs/