ANAEMIA: IT’S CAUSE AND TYPES IN DOGS
V. Narote, Deepika D Jesse, Purnima Singh, Pragati Patel and Charu Sharma
College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Jabalpur
Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Sciences University (NDVSU),
Jabalpur-482001, (MP)
Anaemia is a term used in medicine to describe a lack of haemoglobin, red blood cells or both. It is the qualitative and quantitative reduction of blood. It is the outcome of another illness process or condition rather than being a distinct disease. The bone marrow produces red blood cells, which are then discharged into the blood and circulate for around three months. Red blood cells are eliminated from the bloodstream when they deteriorate or get old and their parts are reused to create new ones. Due to decreased synthesis or lysis, there may be a drop in the amount of red blood cells (cell destruction) or greater loss as a result of bleeding.
Because haemoglobin carries oxygen to the body’s cells and tissues, an anaemic dog will exhibit symptoms of low oxygen levels. Medications that stop the production of red blood cells, infectious diseases (like canine distemper), bleeding from the intestines, severe bleeding from accidents or injuries, blood loss from parasites, poisons, or toxins, cancer, tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease, poor nutrition, bone marrow disease, kidney disease, and cancer are the most common causes of anaemia in dogs.
There are various forms of anaemia observed in dog with considerable loss of blood as a result of road accidents and injury to the tissues. Anaemia due to excessive blood loss is haemorrhagic anaemia. It occurs in two different types. Acute haemorrhagic anaemia is observed when a significant amount of blood is lost suddenly within 24 hours of a haemorrhage. The red blood cells take at least 4-6 weeks to fully replenish themselves. Red blood cells in this type of anaemia are normocytic and normochromic. Chronic haemorrhagic anaemia develops due to prolonged internal or external blood loss. Prolong period of blood loss from body leads to decreased iron content of blood.
Aplastic anaemia develops when bone marrow doesn’t make enough red blood cells. It is also called as non-regenerative anaemia. This type of anaemia is primarily brought on by bone marrow abnormalities in which red bone marrow is replaced by fatty tissues. It is primarily brought on by recurring exposure to X-ray or gamma radiation. In addition to parvovirus, bone marrow disease, exposure to toxins, chemotherapy drugs and other medications can cause this kind of anaemia.
Haemolytic anaemia is another type of anaemia that develops when red blood cells in your dog’s body start to break down. The rate of red blood cell hemolysis is not compensate by an increase in RBC synthesis. There are two types hemolytic anaemia namely Extrinsic and Intrinsic haemolytic anaemia. Extrinsic hemolytic anaemia is caused by substances like medications and chemicals destroying red blood cells. Autoimmune hemolytic anaemia is the name given to extrinsic hemolytic anaemia. The causes includes liver disease, kidney disease, burns, lead and coal tar poisoning.
The production of non-functional red blood cells which have a limited lifespan and quickly degrade, is the primary cause of intrinsic hemolytic anaemia which results in the loss of RBC. It includes thalassemia, also known as Cooley’s anaemia. Sickle cell anaemia, which is caused by faulty haemoglobin production due to abnormal β chains.
Nutritional deficiency anaemia occurs due to lack of nutrients which are required for erythropoiesis and is the primary cause of anaemia in dogs. Iron, protein, and vitamins like vitamin B12, vitamin C and folic acid are essential for erythropoiesis. The insufficient availability of iron for the production of haemoglobin causes iron deficiency anaemia. The causes of iron deficiency anaemia include blood loss, reduced iron consumption, inadequate intestinal iron absorption and increased demand for iron in conditions like growth and pregnancy. The signs of iron deficiency are brittle nails, spoon-shaped nails, brittle hair, atrophy of the papillae of the tongue and dysphagia.
Symptoms:
Depending on the underlying cause of your dog’s health, you may observe one or more signs of anaemia in your dog for example gums, eyes, or ears that are pale, weakness or lethargicness, black stools, a quick heartbeat or breathing, swelling in the jaw or face, vomiting, a loss of appetite and weight loss are further symptoms.
Diagnosis:
There are several tests that are performed on the blood sample to diagnose anaemia. Hemoglobin has the ability to transport the oxygen. The estimation of hemoglobin can tell us about the hemoglobin content and percentage of hemoglobin. Other tests may include total number of RBCs which actually tell the number have been reduced, increased or are in normal range. The packed cell volume (PCV) or hematocrit (HCT) determines the total volume occupied by red blood cell in the blood. Certain hematological indices are there which are calculation based and it implies the type of anemia, which the individual animal is having. Another test named red cell distribution width is also used to diagnose the type of anemia. These tests are often performed as part of a complete blood cell count (CBC). In a normal dog, Hemoglobin, TEC and PCV are 12-18 mg/dl, 5.5-8.5 x 106/µl and 37% to 55% respectively.
Treatment:
If the dog is diagnosed with anaemia, veterinarian will recommend a treatment based on symptoms shown by dog.
Preventions:
Following a regular deworming programme will protect your dogs against ticks, fleas, and worms, which are some of the causes of anaemia. Keeping dangerous objects out of your dog’s reach and feeding them a balanced diet are two other ways to prevent your dog from developing anaemia. A veterinarian may be able to spot the early signs of anaemia and treat the patient before the illness worsens by doing routine wellness exams twice a year.
