What is anemia
Anemia is defined as a drop in blood hemoglobin levels. Hemoglobin is an iron-containing protein found in a dog's red blood cells. Its function is to capture oxygen in the respiratory system to release it to the other organs of the body.
In dogs, the hemoglobin blood level is normally between 10.3 and 18g/dL of blood. We speak of anemia when this hemoglobin level drops below 10g/dL.
Causes of anemia in dogs
There are also two types of anemia in dogs depending on their origin: non-regenerative anemia and regenerative anemia.
Aregenerative anemia in dogs
Aregenerative anemias (or central anemias) are due to a decrease in hemoglobin production.
This decrease in hemoglobin production can itself find its origin in:
- a bone marrow condition that may be caused by:
- a tumoral infiltration of the bone marrow observable in leukemia, lymphoma, mastocytoma, multiple myeloma or even metastasized adenocarcinoma,
- certain drugs or toxins,
- a systemic condition such as kidney failure or hepatic failure, hypothyroidism, hypocorticism, the presence of a tumour, a chronic inflammatory condition or parvovirus,
- nutritional deficiencies in iron, vitamin B12 or protein.
Regenerative anemia in dogs
Regenerative anemias in dogs, also called peripheral anemias, are linked to the destruction of red blood cells (hemolysis) or a loss of the latter during blood leakage from the body (hemorrhage).
Thus, hemolytic anemia can find its cause in a wide variety of dog conditions such as:
- an "autoimmune" disease during which the dog's immune system, whose essential function is normally to ensure the defense of its body against external aggressions (bacteria, viruses, ) , “disrupts” itself by abnormally producing antibodies directed against its own red blood cells. This is called autoimmune hemolytic anemia,
- various congenital diseases that lead to abnormal fragility of red blood cells in dogs,
- poisoning of the animal, in particular with onions among other toxic substances,
- piroplasmosis and ehrlichiosis, two vector-borne diseases caused by dog parasites,
- various diseases causing microangiopathies (damage to small-calibre blood vessels).
A haemolytic anemia can also occur following a blood transfusion of the dog, when there is an incompatibility between the blood of the donor dog and that of the recipient.
Dog anemia caused by acute or chronic dog bleeding have multiple potential origins like:
- trauma,
- surgery,
- blood coagulation disorders related to dog poisoning by rat poison, Von Willebrand's disease, hemophilia, an abnormality in blood platelets, disseminated intravascular coagulation, etc.,
- a massive infestation of the dog by hematophagous parasites (which feed on blood) of the dog such as fleas, ticks or even hookworms,
- the presence of tumors within the gastrointestinal tract or in the wall of blood vessels (hemangiosarcoma),
- the existence of gastrointestinal ulcers that lead to digestive blood leaks.
Anemia in dogs: symptoms
In dogs, anemia is manifested by the following signs:
- pallor of the mucous membranes,
- depression and faster onset of fatigue during exertion,
- a weak pulse,
- slow heart rate and respiratory rate.
Anemia is most often accompanied by other symptoms related to the condition that caused it.
How is anemia diagnosed?
To diagnose anemia, the hemoglobin level in the dog's blood is measured. The veterinarian then performs a simple blood test on which he asks for a blood count.
The reticulocyte count, that is to say the evaluation of the number of reticulocytes in the blood, will then allow the veterinarian to characterize anemia. Reticulocytes are the immature red blood cells, which have just been released into the dog's bloodstream after being produced by the bone marrow. Their number therefore makes it possible to know whether we are dealing with regenerative or non-regenerative anemia.
In light of these results and other observable signs during the clinical examination of the dog, the veterinarian will use additional examinations to identify the causes of the dog's anemia.
Dog anemia: how to treat it?
The treatment of dog anemia will obviously depend on the cause of this anemia diagnosed by the veterinarian.