Canine anemia is a result of insufficient red blood cells. Since red blood cells are responsible for the transport of many nutrients, including oxygen, it is vitally important to the good health of your dog. This article looks at the heart of this important issue.
There are a variety of different types of anemia. It can be because your dog’s bone marrow is not producing the necessary amount. It could be that your dog is using up more than is being produced. Blood loss is another, temporary, cause. Anemia is often linked to other diseases. A common cause of anemia is a nutrition deficiency, or a lack in the food.
A common symptom of anemia is pale mucous membranes. Your dog’s gums will be pale, perhaps even white if it is very severe. The eye membranes will be pale, whereas they should be a healthy pink. If you are unsure, compare with another dog, any other animal, even your own.
Other symptoms can include lethargy and loss of appetite. The heart will beat faster and the breathing rate will be faster, in an attempt to keep the body oxygenated.
Veterinary diagnosis will include a blood test, a stool sample to check for parasites, a urine sample and possibly a bone marrow biopsy.
Veterinary treatment will vary according to the diagnosis. Medication may include iron supplementation, medication to increase the red blood cell production, or chemotherapy and radiation for leukemia. If severe blood loss has occurred, they may like to do a blood transfusion.
Iron supplements tend to be in a synthetic form, which may give your dog temporary respite, but can cause harm in the long run. Medication of any sort is immune suppressive and liver toxic. This will further burden your already struggling dog. Iron supplementing also causes a deficiency in copper.
What other measures are there to treating anemia?
To some extend, this depends on the cause. However, what is common in all cases of anemia is that your dog’s immune system is very low. So your primary action should be to get this in proper working order. An immune system is intangible. You can’t see it. The only way of recognising it is how your dog responds to an illness.
The birth of commercial dog food is one of the worst things that ever happened to dogs. Commercial dog food manufacturers are far more concerned about turning a healthy profit, than worrying about the health of your dog. By feeding your dog a quality, natural diet, you are immediately boosting their immune system. This means you have the potential to turn canine anemia, or any other health disorder, around.
