Iron Deficiency in Canines

Sufficient iron levels are essential for a canine's good health. Iron combines with copper and protein to form hemoglobin, the molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Iron also impacts the proper functioning of certain enzymes in a dog's body. On average, canines should receive 36.4 mg of iron daily for every pound of food they eat (on a dry matter basis).

  1. Characteristics And Causes Of Iron Deficiency

    • Ticks can cause blood loss in canines, which could result in iron deficiency.

      Iron is absorbed primarily from the small intestine; red blood cells only live about 110 days, after which they die and need to be replaced. Iron deficiency is characterized by red blood cells that do not develop as they should; cells produced by bone marrow are smaller in size than normal. In canines, several factors can cause iron deficiency. Several different factors can cause this, including internal or external blood loss, blood-sucking parasites such as ticks or hookworms, urinary tract infection, a mass in the stomach or intestines, and lymphoma. The gastrointestinal tract is the most common site of internal blood loss in canines.

    Symptoms And Diagnosis

    • A veterinarian can use several tests to determine the severity of iron deficiency in a canine.

      Symptoms of iron deficiency in canines include lethargy, decreased growth rate (especially in puppies), depression, dark-colored and tarry stools, rapid breathing, anorexia, weakness, rapid breathing and increased susceptibility to disease. Iron deficiency can be diagnosed by a veterinarian, who may use a specific test or series of tests to assess the severity of the condition. Some of the most commonly used tests to determine iron deficiency include urinalysis, complete blood test (CBC), bone marrow aspirate, fecal flotation and packed cell volume (PVC).

    Treatment

    • Iron replacement therapy can involve the use of an IV.

      If a canine's iron deficiency is severe, a veterinarian might recommend a transfusion of whole blood or packed red blood cells. Iron replacement therapy usually begins with an injection and is followed by iron supplements administered orally. But because dogs with iron deficiency are not able to absorb iron easily, oral supplements may not be effective initially. A veterinarian may need to administer iron through an IV (intravenously) until iron levels improve significantly. Iron deficiency injection treatments generally last from one to two months.

    Health Management

    • As iron levels return to normal, dogs can resume their usual activities.

      After a canine receives injection therapy for an iron deficiency, a veterinarian might recommend oral iron medications for up to two months. Have frequent clinical tests administered to determine the dog's progress, including a complete blood workup every one to four weeks to measure the volume of cells in the blood. Once iron levels return to normal, canines can resume their usual routine and activities.