We have recently seen an uptick in anemia cases here in Krabi and while I wouldn't consider it an outbreak since it isn't generally transferrable like parasites or some illnesses, it is unfortunately a lot more difficult to treat than your average parasite infestation and early detection and treatment is a great way to limit the amount of damage that it does to your dog. While this problem also exists in cats we have only had a single case of it in the years that I have been working here.
Anemia can lead to a very slow and painful death so being able to help out your little furry friend is pretty important. Here's what I have learned recently about some cases that we have had.
Just quickly: Anemia is the absence or absence of movement of red-blood cells, which are pretty important for a wide variety of reasons in both humans and dogs. When there isn't enough movement of these very helpful cells, a lot of other problems can and almost certainly will arise. According to the vets I spoke to, anemia isn't really a situation that arises on its own, but is a "by-product" of some other injury or illness. It is also one of those issues that in most otherwise healthy dogs will go away on its own. This doesn't mean you shouldn't treat it though.
I don't want to get anyone worried for no reason but just like a lot of illnesses in dogs you should start to get a bit worried when your dog has a prolonged period of just being tired all the time. If the dog is normally very active and then out of nowhere they just lose interest in all activity, this is a good sign that something is wrong. Loss of appetite is another good sign. If your dog normally attacks their food but all of a sudden doesn't seem to care about food, this is a sign that there is almost certainly something wrong with them. In that way dogs aren't so different from humans because when you are sick, you are probably very tired and not all that interested in eating very much.
Anemia, thankfully, is one of the easier things to self-diagnose. If you notice that your dog is lethargic and not interested in food, simply check their gums. If the guys are not pinkish the way that gums should be, this is a good sign that there is reduced red blood cell circulation that could be caused by anemia.
The above is a rather extreme example of anemia infection but just know that a dog's normal color of their gums should almost never be white or pale like this. For the most part, dogs' gums are the same color as your own and while I realize that most pet owners are not sticking their hands in their dog's mouth on a regular basis, if there is discoloration, this can be a sign of not just anemia, but a lot of other problems as well. A vet can quickly determine if there is a problem and administer a test to determine the actual problem. This is normally a very inexpensive blood test so don't be terribly worried about the cost. We don't worry about it and we are always strapped for cash.
The problem as far as expense is concerned can end up being the treatment. This, like almost any other dog ailment is something that becomes more expensive the more advanced the illness gets so early detection is key.
Another method that I use when I am monitoring a dog that is acting strange is to follow them when they go poo poo. Especially if there is any blood in the stool, you should act very quickly. I have found that simply taking a picture of the stool is normally enough for a veterinarian to know whether or not you need to bring your dog in for additional treatment.
Recently we have had several cases of anemia and thankfully, most of them have been relatively mild. It isn't always easy for us to check for it because the dogs that we treat are not our own, and putting your hands in the mouth of a dog that you do not know, or more importantly doesn't know you, is generally a bad idea.
We all want our pets to stay healthy and anemia is one of those diseases that might not be so evident like other ones. It is relatively common and treatment in most cases isn't terribly complicated. It can get out of control in a financial sense if it is left alone for too long though, just like any other illness, infection, or infestation. The key here is to monitor your dog's behavior and bathroom habits. If things start getting a bit wonky, it might be time to at the minimum observe a little bit closer. An abrupt change in behavior is normally a sign of something bad and while dogs are significantly better at self-healing, the problem can become much worse if it isn't addressed.
This is the issue that a lot of homeless dogs face because they don't have anyone looking after them in most cases. Do yourself a favor and save yourself some heartache and just do some simple checks if your fur friend is acting strange for several days in a row. It can make a world of difference later!
If you would like to see how you can help out or simply spread the word, please visit our website at
http://krabianimalwelfare.org
Krabi Animal Welfare is a charity run entirely by volunteers and are a registered non-profit organization in Thailand and the U.K.. We aim to relieve the pain and suffering of dogs and cats within Krabi Province.
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