Anemia in dogs is defined as a decrease of red blood cells or hemoglobin, or both, in the dog's body. While anemia can be the result of an autoimmune disease or cancer, it can also be the result of blood loss due to parasites or injury. Learning to identify blood-loss anemia in dogs can help you diagnose what is wrong with your dog and help secure the proper treatment.
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Pale Gums
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The gums of a dog should be a bright, healthy pink. If the gums are whitish or grayish, this can be a sign that the dog is not getting enough oxygen in its blood. You may need to pull up the dog's lips to adequately observe the gums. Pale gums in a dog are frequently a sign of a serious issue, and if this is observed in your dog you should take it to the veterinarian.
Lethargy
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Blood-loss anemia in dogs can also result in the dog looking constantly tired or lethargic. The dog's body is not functioning at its top capacity, and as a result the dog may have significantly less energy than it had before. The dog may tire easily, or it may be completely uninterested in exercise or play.
Rapid Breathing
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A dog who has blood-loss anemia may experience rapid respiration. This can manifest as loud panting or it might be quiet breaths that are taken very quickly.
Loss of Appetite
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A dog who is dealing with the stress of blood-loss anemia may be uninterested in food. It may eat only a fraction of what it usually eats, or it might not touch its food at all. If a dog starts losing interest in meals, there are a number of issues that might be troubling it, and this is behavior that should be reported to a veterinarian.
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