Can Dogs Suffer from Anemia? Understanding Canine Blood

Today's article cuts straight to the chase, diving into the topic of canine anemia. Let's explore what this condition entails.

Anemia is a condition characterized by a deficiency in red blood cells or hemoglobin, which are crucial components of the blood.

Hemoglobin, a protein found within red blood cells, is responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the dog's body. When a dog is anemic, it means there's an issue with either the red blood cells themselves or the hemoglobin within them, and it's a serious matter indeed.

But why is canine anemia so severe?

Regardless of the type of anemia, it disrupts the dog's oxygen supply system, leading to breathing difficulties. As the body tries to compensate for the lack of oxygen by increasing blood flow, the dog's heart rate escalates, and they become weak, losing their appetite.

Look out for these signs: an increased heart rate and a lack of appetite can be fatal for many dogs, especially those with poor exercise tolerance like French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, and Bull Terriers. Temporary loss of appetite might not be a big deal for large breeds, but it's a serious risk for small dogs prone to hypoglycemia.

Besides an increased heart rate, drowsiness, and loss of appetite, anemic dogs may exhibit symptoms like difficulty breathing, pale mucous membranes, weight loss, blood in urine, feces, or vomit, and nosebleeds.

Therefore, anemia is a condition that demands our attention. However, before focusing on anemia, it's crucial to address any other abnormalities in the dog.

Could anemia be a sign of a more serious underlying disease in dogs?

Indeed, canine anemia is typically a secondary condition to other more severe diseases. This means that if a dog is showing signs of anemia, there's likely a more significant health issue at play. Anemia is often just a "sidekick" to these diseases, such as:

1. Trauma: Severe bleeding can lead to anemia, especially after a significant loss of blood. Often, the bleeding goes unnoticed by owners because internal organs have sustained injuries.

2. Parasites: Deworming is a common topic, and many parasites can cause anemia. For instance, Babesia is a blood parasite that breaks down red blood cells, while hookworms can cause anemia by damaging the intestinal mucosa.

3. Tumors: Tumors, being fleshly growths, can lead to anemia if they rupture and are not promptly treated.

4. Blood Coagulation Deficiency: When blood loses its clotting ability, it can hemorrhage from the dog's mouth, nose, eyes, and other organs, a condition known as hemophilia.

5. Toxins: Certain medications can inhibit blood clotting, such as rodenticides.

6. Chronic Diseases: Conditions like kidney disease and liver disease can suppress the bone marrow's ability to produce red blood cells, leading to anemia.

7. Malnutrition: The most common cause, inadequate nutrition can lead to a reduction in the bone marrow's production of red blood cells, resulting in anemia.

So, what should owners do?

It all boils down to three words: follow medical advice.

The common causes of canine anemia are outlined above. It's not hard to notice that many of these causes are related to diet, especially the ingestion of human food. That's why we at Leash always advise against feeding dogs human food and urge family members to adhere to this rule.