Anaemia in Dogs & Cats (including IMHA)

What is anaemia?

Anaemia means the blood has too few red blood cells, or too little haemoglobin, the red protein that carries oxygen. Without enough oxygen, the body tires easily. Anaemia is a sign of another problem, not a disease on its own.

There are three main causes. Blood can be lost, for example from an injury, bleeding in the gut, or heavy flea, tick or hookworm burdens. Red cells can be destroyed, for example by blood parasites such as Babesia in dogs or Mycoplasma haemofelis in cats, or by poisons such as onion and garlic. Or the bone marrow may not make enough red cells, as in long-term kidney disease, chronic illness or bone marrow disease.

In immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia (IMHA), the immune system attacks the body's own red cells. IMHA can develop quickly and is serious.

Signs to watch for

Common signs include:

• Pale gums or tongue
• Weakness and tiredness
• Fast breathing or a fast heartbeat
• Poor appetite
• Yellow gums or eyes
• Red, brown or dark urine

Mild anaemia may cause few signs, and cats often hide signs until the anaemia is severe.

Which lab tests help

A Complete Blood Count (CBC) or Packed Cell Volume (PCV) shows how severe the anaemia is. A Reticulocyte Count counts young red cells. A high count usually means the bone marrow is responding, which points to blood loss or red cell destruction, while a low count suggests a production problem. After sudden blood loss, this response can take a few days to show.

A General Blood Picture (GBP) looks at red cells on a stained smear, where their shape can give clues. A Blood Protozoa (Blood Parasite Smear) looks for blood parasites, but they can be missed, so your vet may add PCR, such as the Tick Fever Panel RT-PCR (4 Strain: B. gibsoni, B. canis, E. canis & Anaplasma spp.) for dogs or the Haemotropic Mycoplasma (Mycoplasma haemofelis) RT-PCR for cats.

When IMHA is suspected, the Saline Agglutination Test (Auto-agglutination) checks whether red cells clump together, and the Direct Coombs Test (DAT) looks for antibodies stuck to red cells. A negative Coombs test does not rule IMHA out. IMHA can also be triggered by other diseases, which your vet may look for.

Iron and Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC / UIBC) & Transferrin Saturation help when long-term blood loss is suspected, because it can use up the body's iron. If the cause stays unclear, your vet may take a sample for Bone Marrow Aspiration Cytology.

Every result is read by a registered veterinarian, together with your pet's signs and history.

When to see your vet

See your vet promptly if your pet has pale gums, tires easily or seems weak. Very pale or yellow gums, red or dark urine, fast breathing, collapse or any bleeding need a vet the same day.

Testing in Bhopal

Pashupatinath Vet Lab is at C-200, C Sector, Shahpura, Bhopal, with free sample collection anywhere in Bhopal. Owners in other districts can send blood samples by courier or bus parcel, or through their local vet, after a call or WhatsApp message to +91 88175 01118. The lab confirms the method, sample needs and reporting time when you book. Reports are shared on WhatsApp, by e-mail and in My Reports on the website.