Treatment options for iron deficiency anemia in dogs
Iron deficiency anemia in dogs is a type of anemia that most commonly occurs as a result of chronic blood loss due to an underlying health issue. This leads to the depletion of the body’s stores of iron, which is needed to create new, healthy red blood cells. The name might suggest it’s caused by not getting enough iron in the diet, but iron deficiency anemia is rarely due to poor nutrition. If you have a dog, read on to learn more about:
- How iron deficiency anemia affects the body
- The importance of diagnosis for determining appropriate treatment
- Treatment for dogs with iron deficiency anemia
- Nutritional deficiencies and iron deficiency anemia
- What to do if you think your dog is anemic
Effective treatment of iron deficiency anemia depends on identifying and addressing the underlying cause. Treatment usually involves stopping the bleeding and providing supportive care while the patient recovers. Even though iron deficiency anemia isn’t usually caused by a lack of dietary iron, iron supplementation may play a role in treatment. Specific treatment focuses on the underlying cause and may include parasite treatment and control, treating urinary or gastrointestinal diseases that cause chronic blood loss, toxicosis treatment, or surgery.
What is iron deficiency anemia?
Anemia refers to a decrease in the blood’s ability to carry oxygen to the body’s tissues. Anemia is a sign that something is wrong rather than a disease in itself. Many health conditions can cause anemia in dogs, so it’s important to determine the cause in order to help the dog. Anemia may reflect one or more of the following:
- Decreased concentration of red cells in the blood (the blood is “too thin”)
- Decreased amounts of hemoglobin, the iron-rich substance in red blood cells (RBCs) that carries oxygen (often called “low iron”)
- Decreased total number of RBCs circulating in the blood (a “low blood count”)
There are many ways to describe anemia based on what’s causing it, how the body is responding to it, and how it appears in blood work. Canine anemia can fit into multiple categories, including anemia that’s due to:
- Iron deficiency
- Chronic disease, such as what occurs with chronic kidney failure
- Destruction of RBCs (hemolytic anemia)
- Blood loss, such as after a severe injury
When a dog is diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia, that means the veterinarian sees particular changes in the appearance of the RBCs that offer some clues about why the dog is anemic. Characterizing an anemia as an iron deficiency anemia doesn’t mean the anemia was caused by a lack of iron in the diet. Instead, it means the RBCs don’t have enough iron to be healthy.
The main job of blood is to deliver oxygen to tissues throughout the body, and it needs iron to do that. Iron is used to create hemoglobin, the part of RBCs that carries oxygen. When there isn’t enough iron for healthy blood, cells elsewhere in the body will not receive sufficient oxygen, resulting in symptoms like weakness and lethargy.
It isn’t difficult for dogs to get enough iron from their food, and the body stores the surplus for later use. That means iron deficiency anemia doesn’t usually start with a lack of access to dietary iron. The problem usually starts further down the line, with excessive blood loss. Iron deficiency is almost always caused by slow, chronic bleeding somewhere in the body.
“When a dog is constantly bleeding — even just a little bit at a time — they lose red blood cells,” explains Dr. Jo Myers, a veterinarian on the Vetster platform. “The body responds by increasing RBC production.” However, this increase in production uses more iron than normal, depleting the body’s stores of iron. Over time, the dog runs low on iron, making it more difficult to produce healthy RBCs. As a result, new cells are smaller and cannot carry as much oxygen.
The importance of diagnosis for determining appropriate treatment
Since anemia can be caused by so many different things, a diagnosis must be made in order to know what kind of treatment an affected dog needs. Although signs vary depending on the underlying cause and severity of the anemia, because there’s a lack of oxygen being delivered to bodily tissues, symptoms reflect that and can include:
The first signs of anemia in dogs are often lethargy, fatigue, and exercise intolerance. Symptoms may be subtle and can be easy to overlook until the anemia is severe. Depending on the underlying cause, additional signs of illness may be present, such as:
The type of bleeding that can lead to anemia isn’t always obvious, especially in the early stages. In some cases, the bleeding is internal, gradually accumulating in the lungs, chest, or abdominal cavity, and can go undetected for a long time.
Dogs bleeding in their gastrointestinal tract may have blood in their vomit, urine, or stool, but it may be present in such small amounts that the blood isn’t visible. While fresh blood in vomit, urine, or feces appears red when there’s enough of it to be visible, digested blood looks different: in vomit, it looks like coffee grounds, and stool containing digested blood will appear black and tarry. It’s important to seek veterinary attention right away if you notice your dog has dark, tarry stool or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
The diagnostic process for a dog with symptoms associated with anemia usually starts with a physical exam and basic blood work, including a complete blood count (CBC). Blood tests reveal if a dog is anemic and provide additional information about the type and severity of the anemia as well as its potential underlying cause. However, additional diagnostic tests are often necessary to fully characterize and determine the cause of the anemia. Testing may include:
- Diagnostic imaging, such as X-rays or ultrasounds
- Additional blood tests
- Urinalysis
- Fecal exam
- Bone marrow biopsy
Sometimes, anemia is detected in an apparently healthy animal during routine blood work, such as in preparation for surgery or as part of a senior wellness exam.
Treatment for dogs with iron deficiency anemia
In order to treat an anemic patient, a veterinarian must identify the underlying cause of the anemia. Iron deficiency anemia almost always develops secondarily to an underlying condition that causes slow, chronic, and often undetected bleeding, such as:
- Internal or external parasitic infections
- Gastrointestinal ulcers
- Urinary tract diseases, such as infection, tumors, or stones
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Bleeding tumors
- Clotting disorders
- Toxicosis, such as repeated exposure to low levels of certain types of rat bait and other toxins
Treatment for iron deficiency anemia targets the underlying cause and may include:
- Parasite treatment and prevention
- Management of gastric ulcers or clotting disorders
- Surgery to remove tumors or urinary stones
- Antibiotics for urinary tract infections
- Diet changes for inflammatory bowel disease
Even though iron deficiency anemia is almost never initially triggered by an inadequate amount of iron in the diet, iron supplements may be given as part of the treatment plan. In severe cases, blood transfusions, oxygen therapy, intravenous fluids, and hospitalization may be needed to support anemic patients while the underlying issue is being addressed. Some health issues that can lead to iron deficiency anemia require lifelong care.
Nutritional deficiencies and iron deficiency anemia
Even though a veterinarian may use iron supplementation as part of a treatment plan for an anemic dog, that doesn’t mean the problem started with a lack of iron in the diet. Low iron in dogs is due to ongoing blood loss rather than an inadequate diet.
Nutrient deficiencies, including iron deficiencies, are rare in otherwise healthy dogs. Commercially available diets with the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) statement of nutritional adequacy on the label are formulated to be nutritionally complete and contain the right amount of nutrients, including iron, based on the portion size for the majority of dogs. Iron deficiency anemia is an example of how, most of the time, a nutrient deficiency is a sign of something wrong with the dog, not the diet.
Your dog is unlikely to develop a nutrient deficiency unless they:
- Eat a food that does not have the AAFCO statement of nutritional adequacy on the label
- Eat a diet of mostly treats, table scraps, and other snacks
- Eat a homemade diet that was not formulated by a veterinary nutritionist
- Have an illness that interferes with the normal absorption, utilization, or excretion of nutrients, such as one that causes ongoing blood loss
What to do if you think your dog is anemic
It’s important to seek prompt veterinary care if your dog shows signs of anemia. Dogs with anemia often show no obvious symptoms until it’s severe, at which point the chances for successful treatment decline.
It’s important not to assume your dog’s anemia is due to a lack of dietary iron, as this is rarely the case. Even if your veterinarian mentions iron deficiency when discussing your dog’s anemia, this doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with your dog’s food. As well, there are many other health issues that share similar symptoms with anemia but which require different kinds of treatment.
Talk to a veterinarian before changing your dog’s diet or giving your dog dietary supplements. If you want to give your dog a supplement, an online vet can help choose one that’s safe and effective as well as determine whether a dietary change is warranted. Suddenly changing your dog’s diet can make symptoms worse and may be unnecessary.
FAQ - Treatment options for iron deficiency anemia in dogs
How do I know if my dog is anemic?
The signs of mild anemia are subtle and easy to overlook. You may think your dog is healthy only to discover they’re anemic during routine blood work. Anemic patients may have symptoms such as lethargy, exercise intolerance, white or pale gums, rapid breathing, and weight loss. However, other health conditions share similar symptoms, so it’s important to talk to a veterinarian if your dog shows signs of illness. Getting an accurate diagnosis is necessary in order to know what kind of treatment your dog needs.
What are the most common causes of iron deficiency anemia in dogs?
Most cases of iron deficiency anemia in dogs are due to chronic blood loss caused by an underlying health issue. Common causes include internal or external parasitic infections, diseases of the gastrointestinal and urinary tracts, and bleeding tumors. Identifying and stopping the underlying blood loss is critical for determining an effective treatment plan.
How do you treat a dog with iron deficiency anemia?
Iron deficiency anemia is usually caused by a chronic disease that leads to prolonged and often inapparent blood loss. Treatment for iron deficiency anemia involves identifying and treating the cause of the bleeding. This can involve parasite treatment and prevention, surgery, medications, and other treatment methods. Severe anemia may need additional supportive care such as hospitalization, IV fluids, and blood transfusions.
Disclaimer: This article, its content, and its related references do not constitute veterinary advice and should not be considered a substitute for veterinary care. If your pet is showing any symptoms that could indicate a medical emergency, please seek immediate emergency care.
