Haematology and immunology

Anaemia

Urgent

Also known as: Anemia; Low red blood cell count

URGENT. See a veterinarian within hours, not days.

Overview

Not a disease in itself but a sign with many causes, and one that owners can and should learn to spot: lift the lip and look at the gum colour. Anaemia means too few red blood cells, whether from blood loss (trauma, a bleeding tumour, heavy flea or hookworm burden — the last is a genuinely common cause in puppies and street dogs), destruction (immune-mediated disease, tick-borne infection such as babesiosis or ehrlichiosis), or failure to produce them (chronic kidney disease, bone-marrow disease). Because the causes range from trivial to fatal, and because a severely anaemic dog can decompensate suddenly, pale gums always warrant prompt veterinary assessment and blood work. The cause determines the treatment; treating the anaemia without finding the cause is not treatment.

What you would notice

Pale or white gums, inner eyelids, and tongue
Tiredness; unwilling to walk as far as usual
Fast breathing and fast heart rate at rest
Eating dirt or unusual objects (pica) in chronic cases
Collapse if severe or sudden

Non-prescriptive. This entry deliberately does NOT name specific drugs, doses, routes, or durations. Treatment decisions rest with a licensed veterinarian who has examined your dog and considered its history.

Draft — vet review pending. This entry has not yet been signed off by a registered veterinarian.

Predisposed breeds

Cocker Spaniel (English)

United Kingdom, 19th century

Sources

Merck Veterinary Manual (merckvetmanual.com)
MSD Veterinary Manual (msdvetmanual.com)

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