Dog Diseases - Anemia
Anemia is a reduced number of red blood cells, hemoglobin, or both. It is not a specific disease, but the result of some disease process.
If your dog is tired and listless, showing little stamina, and if your dog’s gums have lost some of their normal pink color, your dog has the symptoms of anemia. To verify this condition requires that some blood tests be performed.
There are several tests that are performed on the red blood cells. The most common test for anemia is the packed cell volume (PCV); it is also called the hematocrit. Thirty-five to fifty-five percent of the normal dog’s blood will be red blood cells. If the PCV is below 35%, the dog is anemic. Other tests to determine anemia include the red blood cell count and the hemoglobin count.
It is also important to know if the bone marrow is producing an increased number of new red blood cells. Often, this can be determined by a study of the stained blood smear. The presence of increased numbers of immature (young) red blood cells usually means the bone marrow is responding to the need for more red blood cells.
A careful study of the blood smear is also important to look for signs of leukemia or for parasites that might be causing red blood cell destruction.
If bone marrow response is not obvious by studying the blood smear, a reticulocyte count is performed. A special stain is used to identify reticulocytes (immature red blood cells).
A bone marrow biopsy or aspirate is a procedure that provides cells from the bone marrow. Studying these cells can give valuable information about the cause of some anemias and the condition of the bone marrow.
Other important tests for anemic dogs include a biochemical profile and urinalysis. These tests evaluate organ functions and electrolyte levels. They will often provide important information about the total health of the dog.
A fecal exam is important to identify the presence of parasites in the intestinal tract that might be causing blood loss.
Several tests are important for an anemic dog because there are many diseases that cause anemia. These are grouped into:
1) diseases that cause blood loss,
2) diseases that cause red blood cell breakdown, and
3) diseases that decrease the production of red blood cells.
The main causes of blood loss in dogs include:
A. Trauma or injury that severs blood vessels or internal organs
B. Parasites such as fleas, ticks, and hookworms
C. Tumors of the intestinal tract, kidneys, and urinary bladder
D. Diseases that prevent proper clotting of blood
The main causes of red blood cell breakdown in dogs include:
A. Autoimmune disease
B. Blood parasites
C. Chemicals or toxins
D. Cancer
The main causes of bone marrow suppression in dogs include:
A. Any severe, chronic disease
B. Very poor nutrition or nutritional imbalances
C. Autoimmune disease
D. Hypothyroidism
E. Chemicals or toxins
F. Cancer
If your dog’s anemia is so severe that it is life-threatening, a blood transfusion is needed. This may be performed immediately after a blood sample is taken for testing. The main purpose of a blood transfusion is to stabilize the dog long enough that a determination of the cause of the anemia can be made.
Further treatment will be determined once the underlying disease has been diagnosed.
