Anemia can have a variety of causes and physical effects on your dog’s body. It is typically a sign of an underlying illness. Our Greensboro veterinarians discuss various diet options, how to treat canine anemia, and more in this article.
Anemia can happen when your dog’s body doesn’t produce enough hemoglobin or red blood cells, which carry oxygen to the tissues. Anemia is typically a sign of an underlying disease. Cells then produce energy, leaving behind carbon dioxide, which is then exhaled out of the body via the lungs. However, when there are insufficient red blood cells, less oxygen is transported, which results in weakness and fatigue.
Anemia can also be brought on by trauma, such as an accident or injury, as well as severe blood loss brought on by ailments like stomach ulcers or cancer.
The indications and symptoms of canine anemia can differ depending on the underlying cause. They can include:
Canned Sardines
Source: Fish
Serving Size for Dogs: Toy-Miniature: two or less; Small dogs: three to five per week; Medium dogs: six to eight per week; Large Dogs: eight to twelve per week. Consult with a veterinarian first before feeding your dog sardines.
Sardines offer your dog multiple nutritional advantages because they are high in iron, protein, and essential fatty acids. They have a low mercury content and are widely accessible, making them a simple and affordable way to increase your dog’s intake of iron. Sardines are a great addition to your dog’s diet if you don’t mind the smell. It’s critical to remember that they are a type of food high in fat and might not be the best choice for your dog.
Beef LiverSource: Organ
No more than 5% of your dog’s diet should be served as a serving size. Best served as a treat or on a weekly basis. Ask your vet about feeding liver, especially if your dog has health issues that are triggered by food. Never prepare liver with onions or other spices as they are poisonous to dogs.
Beef liver is one of the best sources of iron, protein, and numerous other nutrients, providing your dog with the maximum nutritional boost. Since liver is so nutrient-dense, many dog treats contain it, but you can also choose to feed fresh liver. It’s a great substitute for iron sources based on fish, which can make your dog’s breath smell like fish. However, because liver is so high in Vitamin A, consuming too much of it can result in hypervitaminosis A. To help prevent it, exercise caution when including liver in your dog’s diet at a rate greater than 5%.
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Source: Poultry By-Product, Non-Meat
No more than one egg yolk per day for large dogs, one-half of an egg yolk for medium dogs, and one-fourth of an egg yolk for small dogs. Check with your veterinarian to see if it’s a good source of iron.
Iron, protein, and essential fatty acids are among the many vital vitamins and minerals that can be found in a large egg’s yolk. It should come as no surprise that dogs like eggs because many omnivorous and carnivorous animals, like foxes, eat them. Eggs naturally contain a lot of fats with fatty acids, but they also have a high fat content that may be too much for your dog’s diet. Egg yolk can be a fantastic way to supplement your dog’s diet, provided you keep an eye on how much fat it consumes.
The gastrointestinal tract is where blood loss occurs most frequently. It is fairly common in adult dogs.
Because dogs with severe iron deficiency do not absorb iron well, oral supplements are ineffective until iron levels are raised. Because of this, the iron will be injected or given through an IV until a replacement has happened. This could take two months, at the very least. Then, for an additional one to two months, or until the iron deficiency is treated, iron supplements will be taken orally.
Red cells do not form properly when the body is iron deficient. The bone marrow produces too few and oxygen-carrying cells that are too small due to the lack of iron. This condition typically results from some sort of blood loss in adult dogs. Iron deficiency anemia must be recognized because the underlying condition can be fatal.
The underlying disease will be treated first by your veterinarian; it needs to be treated as soon as possible. Your dog may require a transfusion of whole blood or packed red blood cells if the anemia is severe. An injection will start the iron replacement therapy process, and then oral iron supplements will come next.
More frequent monitoring will be needed if the anemia is severe. Your veterinarian will check the blood for an increase in the number of cells. It is critical to keep your pet away from other animals while it is still weak. This can be achieved by keeping it in a cage, at least occasionally.
FAQ
What is a good source of iron for dogs?
What are some good sources of iron for dogs? You can increase the amount of iron in your dog’s system by adding fresh foods rich in this crucial mineral to his diet. Green vegetables, beef liver, raw egg yolk from locally or organically produced eggs, and adding canned sardines to their regular diet are good places to start.
How do I know if my dog needs iron?
- pale gums.
- lethargy.
- excess panting.
- dark or black stools.
- loss of appetite.
- unwillingness to exercise.
Is iron safe for dogs?
Vomiting, bloody diarrhea, lethargy, and abdominal pain are some of the less severe symptoms of iron poisoning in dogs. More severe symptoms include shock, tremors, and potential cardiac and liver effects.