What You Need to Know About Anemia in Dogs

Without normal red blood cell function, your dog will become anemic. Without veterinary treatment, your dog will become seriously ill.

By
Dr. Debra M. Eldredge, DVM
-
Published:
4
Anemia in dogs can cause fatigue and a lack of desire to play.
An anemic dog may ignore formerly enticing games—like a ball rolling by—because he lacks energy. Anemia seriously reduces blood oxygen levels. Credit: Westend61 | Getty Images

Anemia in dogs is defined as a deficiency of red blood cells. Red blood cells deliver nutrients and oxygen to cells and organs and carry carbon dioxide to the lungs to be exhaled. Without adequate red blood cells, your dog’s heart and lungs go into overdrive to try to make up for the lack of oxygen in the dog’s body and keep the body functioning. Anemia is serious.

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4 COMMENTS

  1. I lost a dog to Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia a few years ago. I gave him every treatment available, including a splenectomy. Unfortunately, the IMHA won out and I lost him. He was a fearful dog and I regret putting him through all of that treatment.

    • Same here. Three years ago my dog Molly had immune mediated hemolytic anemia probably from her annual vaccinations including rabies the month prior. She was was given blood transfusions etc. But passed away from a blood clot during her treatments. Only 10 years old.

  2. I adopted a 10 years old dog terrier mix.Used some topical flea meds and then tried apoquel was a no and then cytopoint for allergies per her. Weight which later I found out it could cause this anemia.She did have treatment and lived 3 more years.I suggest no allergy med or cytopoint internally.SadieCake was a wonderful dog.She lived to 15 years.I am cautious more in vaccines and flea meds now.I have 2 young dogs.

  3. I agree on Apoquel. Lost my 14.5 year old Cock-a-poo Kyra just before Christmas.
    Enormous growth on the spleen. When you read the fine print now, you can see this potential is
    not atypical. 14.5 is considered a good life for a Cock-a-poo, but as you know it was too soon and perhaps something that could have well been prevented and we could have had a little more time.