Anemia in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms, and Bloodwork Explained

Anemia in dogs occurs when red blood cells or hemoglobin levels are too low, reducing oxygen delivery to tissues. Diagnosed through CBC values like hematocrit and hemoglobin.

If your dog's bloodwork shows anemia, you may be worried about what it means. Anemia occurs when a dog has fewer red blood cells than normal, or when the red blood cells don't carry enough oxygen. This guide explains what anemia is, what causes it, common symptoms, and how veterinarians diagnose and treat it.

What Is Anemia in Dogs?

Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. When the number of red cells or the amount of hemoglobin (the oxygen-carrying protein) is too low, tissues don't get enough oxygen. This oxygen shortage causes the symptoms associated with anemia.

Anemia is Diagnosed Using CBC Values:

Hematocrit (HCT): Percentage of red blood cells in the blood (normal: 37-55%)
Hemoglobin (Hb): Oxygen-carrying protein inside red cells (normal: 12-18 g/dL)
Red Blood Cell Count (RBC): Number of red cells present (normal: 5.5-8.5 million/μL)
Severity Levels: Mild (HCT 30-37%), Moderate (HCT 20-30%), Severe (HCT <20%)

Understanding your dog's complete blood count is essential for monitoring anemia. For more detailed information about these values, see our guide on dog CBC explained.

Causes of Anemia in Dogs

There are three main ways anemia develops:

1. Blood Loss (Hemorrhagic Anemia):

• Trauma: Accidents, wounds, or internal bleeding
• Gastrointestinal bleeding: Ulcers, tumors, or severe gastritis
• Parasites: Heavy flea infestations, ticks, hookworms, or whipworms
• Surgery: Significant blood loss during procedures
• Coagulation disorders: Problems with blood clotting

2. Destruction of Red Blood Cells (Hemolytic Anemia):

• Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA): Body's immune system destroys its own red cells
• Toxins: Zinc poisoning, onions, garlic, certain medications
• Infections: Tick-borne diseases like Babesia or Ehrlichia
• Heat stroke: Extreme temperatures causing cell damage

3. Decreased Production (Non-regenerative Anemia):

• Bone marrow disease: Cancer, infection, or bone marrow failure
• Chronic kidney disease: Reduced erythropoietin hormone production
• Chronic inflammation: Severe ongoing illness suppressing production
• Nutritional deficiencies: Iron, B vitamins, or protein deficiency
• Chemotherapy: Drugs that suppress bone marrow function

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Symptoms of Anemia in Dogs

Signs can vary depending on severity and how quickly the anemia developed, but common symptoms include:

• Pale gums or tongue: Most reliable early sign (normal gums are pink)
• Lethargy and weakness: Tired easily, reluctant to exercise
• Rapid breathing: Body trying to get more oxygen
• Fast heart rate: Heart working harder to pump blood
• Loss of appetite: General feeling of being unwell
• Cold extremities: Ears and paws may feel cool
• Collapse or fainting: In severe cases
• Dark or tarry stools: If gastrointestinal bleeding is present

When to Seek Emergency Care:

• Very pale or white gums
• Severe difficulty breathing
• Collapse or inability to stand
• Rapid, weak pulse
• Cold body temperature

How Vets Diagnose Anemia

Your vet may recommend several tests to determine the cause and severity:

Common Diagnostic Tests:

• CBC with blood smear: Confirm anemia and examine cell appearance
• Reticulocyte count: Determines if bone marrow is responding (regenerative vs. non-regenerative)
• Chemistry panel: Check organ function, especially kidneys
• Tick-borne disease panel: Screen for infectious causes
• Fecal examination: Look for intestinal parasites
• Coagulation studies: If bleeding disorder is suspected
• Bone marrow biopsy: If production problems are suspected
• Imaging (X-rays/ultrasound): Look for internal bleeding or tumors

Regenerative vs. Non-Regenerative Anemia

Understanding the Difference:

Regenerative Anemia: Bone marrow is responding by making new red cells (high reticulocyte count). Usually caused by blood loss or destruction. Better prognosis.
Non-Regenerative Anemia: Bone marrow is not responding adequately (low reticulocyte count). Often due to chronic disease, kidney disease, or bone marrow problems.

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the underlying cause and severity:

Emergency Treatment:

• Blood transfusions: For severe, life-threatening anemia (HCT <15-20%)
• Oxygen therapy: Support breathing in severely anemic dogs
• IV fluids: Maintain blood pressure and circulation
• Hospitalization: Close monitoring for critical cases

Specific Treatments by Cause:

• Blood loss: Stop bleeding, treat wounds, parasite control
• IMHA: Immunosuppressive drugs like prednisone or cyclosporine
• Infections: Antibiotics for bacterial causes, specific treatments for tick-borne diseases
• Kidney disease: Erythropoietin injections, treat underlying kidney problems
• Nutritional deficiencies: Iron supplements, dietary changes

Supportive Care:

• Activity restriction: Limit exercise until red cell counts improve
• High-quality diet: Support red cell production with good nutrition
• Regular monitoring: Frequent CBCs to track progress
• Treat concurrent conditions: Address any other health problems

Prognosis and Recovery

The outlook depends heavily on the underlying cause:

• Parasite-related anemia: Excellent prognosis with treatment
• Blood loss anemia: Good if bleeding source can be controlled
• IMHA: Guarded to fair; 50-70% of dogs respond well to treatment
• Chronic kidney disease: Manageable but ongoing treatment needed
• Bone marrow disease: Variable, depending on specific cause
• Cancer-related: Depends on cancer type and stage

Prevention and Monitoring

Prevention Strategies:

• Regular parasite prevention (fleas, ticks, heartworm)
• Annual bloodwork to catch problems early
• Keep dogs away from toxic substances (onions, zinc, etc.)
• Prompt treatment of injuries or bleeding
• Regular veterinary checkups

Living with an Anemic Dog

• Monitor gum color regularly (should be pink, not pale)
• Limit strenuous exercise until cleared by your vet
• Follow medication schedules exactly as prescribed
• Keep follow-up appointments for bloodwork monitoring
• Watch for signs of worsening (increased lethargy, pale gums)
• Provide a comfortable, stress-free environment

Track Your Dog's Bloodwork with VetLens

Dogs with anemia often need repeated CBCs to monitor recovery or detect relapse. With VetLens, you can:

✓ Upload and track hematocrit, hemoglobin, and RBC counts over time
✓ See plain-English explanations of red blood cell changes
✓ Monitor how treatments affect lab results
✓ Share organized trends with your veterinarian

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Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly can anemia develop in dogs?

This depends on the cause. Acute blood loss can cause severe anemia within hours, while chronic conditions like kidney disease may develop anemia gradually over months.

Can anemia in dogs be cured?

Many forms of anemia can be cured if the underlying cause is treatable. Parasite-related anemia often resolves completely, while chronic conditions may require ongoing management.

Are certain dog breeds more prone to anemia?

Some breeds have higher risks for specific causes: Cocker Spaniels for IMHA, small breeds for tracheal collapse leading to poor oxygenation, and large breeds for gastric torsion causing internal bleeding.

How often should anemic dogs have bloodwork rechecked?

This varies by cause and severity. Acute cases may need daily monitoring initially, while stable chronic cases might be rechecked monthly or every few months.