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Category: Canine,Feline
Anemia
Anemia, low red blood cell count
AffectedAnimals:
All animals. Kittens and puppies are at increased risk of blood loss anemia from severe parasitic infestations.
Overview:
Anemia, the condition of having lower than normal numbers of red blood cells called erythrocytes, can have many clinical manifestations. Affected animals often suffer from decreased energy levels, pale or yellowed gums, an increased heart rate, and an intolerance to exercise. Anemia itself is not a primary disease, but the result of an underlying disease process.
The function of red blood cells is to carry oxygen to all the cells of the body. Erythrocytes are crucial to all animals, and a severe decrease in their number causes the body cells to go through the trauma of oxygen deprivation. Owners of an anemic animal may notice that their companion's gums are pale or white in color instead of the normal pink or red.
Because the heart must work harder to provide oxygen to the starving body cells, dogs and cats with anemia have an increased heart rate. Having deprived the body cells of oxygen, anemia makes animals feel very tired and sick, and they will often show signs of depression.
Puppies and kittens can become anemic from blood-sucking pests such as fleas and intestinal parasites. The disease also is caused by blood loss from trauma, feline leukemia virus, feline immunodeficiency virus, and cancer. Treatment involves correcting the underlying disease or problem, and giving a blood transfusion if needed.
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