Non-Regenerative Anemia in Dogs

Our lab that we rescued which we think is about 10 years old was diagnosed with non regenerative anemia. The vet did tests and X-rays but are unable to decipher why this is occurring. 2 weeks after the first test his blood count went from 28 to 23. The X-rays didn’t show anything. What are the possibilities from here? Can dogs get supplements like humans? Why isn’t our vet acting on it by maybe giving him steroids to suppress the body from attacking? We are unsure if we should get go to another vet for a second opinion. Seems like a very difficult situation when the vet has no idea why the anemia is happening. Our dog eats, voids, acts normal as well so no other weird indications.

I have a 7 year old Brittany who was recently diagnosed with non-regenerative anemia; in July his blood panel was fine, August his blood panel came back out of whack. Was also experiencing a lot of nausea, some vomiting, loss of appetite and lethargy. Based on blood panel and the Dx of non-regenerative anemia, we performed advanced ultrasound; this revealed a jejunal mass which was surgically removed 3 days ago and we are waiting for biopsy results. Also of note: Tucker collapsed (looked drunk, couldn't stand/walk) 4 months ago; after a heart ultrasound, the emergency vet doc said it could've been a one-off. Now wonder if the collapse was somehow related to the current findings of NRA and his jejunal mass...Our boy also has had lameness for a few years now with no logical reason for it, but has gotten worse over the last 6 months. Always hopping, raising his hind legs (many years of x-rays and physical exam reveal nothing torn or broken of his back legs).

After the mass was surgically removed, we could see that he felt much livelier and perky. ls losing weight even though I am feeding him more than usual, though but not at a rapid pace, just feels bonier in the spine/hips.

Some questions:

Is non-regenerative anemia reversible?

What types of cancer do you see the best results with the use of chemotherapy? (quality of life as well as extended life)

Thank you, from a mom who loves her boy!

Just had my vet ring with dogs blood test, she said he has significant non-regenerative anemia she recommends an external referral to an internal medicine specialist, she seemed very vague and when asked about costs said it could run to thousands. He’s a scotty dog and is 14 in January he has a heart murmur but this hasn’t effected him so far he’s been a bit lethargic and slow this last month or so but put it down to his age but took him to vets for a check up.

I have an 11 year old beagle named Cookie who just got diagnosed with nonregenerative anemia. We left her with a dog sitter for a week and when we came back she almost passed out when she saw us. It was like she lost control of her body, she fell over and couldn't get back up for a few minutes. She has Addison's disease so we assumed that the stress of not seeing us for a week made her pass out, but then it happened a few more times and we took her to the vet. They also said her bone marrow is decreasing. Looking back now, I think the problems started before we even left. Her breathing was a lot heavier than normal for at least a few months before. They told us that if her PCV gets lower (it's at 17 now) we'll have to do a blood transfusion. We're a little unsure about how to handle everything. Of course they told us that one transfusion might not be enough, but just one is expensive and we've already spent a lot getting to this point. I don't know how far we can keep going. Sometimes she doesn't have an appetite but if we bring out her favorite foods she's always down. And usually she'll eat at some of the day, so she isn't going long times without food. Are transfusions really the only option? What is the process afterwards, how is the transfusion going to help? Is this inevitably going to keep happening?

I took my dog to ER because I found a bruise on his leg and his abdomen incision scar was getting darker(he had recently been treated for severe sepsis and discharged from hospital 12 days prior, with anemia tested and resolving 9 days prior). He had completed his antibiotics 4 days prior. They found he did not have platelets and a low red blood cell count. He was admitted and administered steroids to prevent immune system from attacking red blood cells/platelets and required blood transfusions daily. Five days later they performed the Recticulocyte test, and results given the next day said he had nonregenerative anemia. Would you have tested his blood for infection/sepsis upon arrival or at some time to determine if that could be reason why he wasn't creating platelets given his history (or even not given his history but in general)? If sepsis was found, what would be the treatment, likelihood of survival?

I have an 11 year old Lab Mix. I took her to my vet because she was lethargic, having trouble going down our porch steps and defecating sometimes without warning that she had to go out. The vet did an ultrasound because she felt a mass in her stomach and remarked that something was wrong with her eyes. The mass turned out to be her spleen which is incredibly enlarged. Her blood tests came back as non-regenerative anemic with her monocytes showing as just over the normal range. They did an x-ray of her chest and abdomen with which came back as unremarkable. She was also having trouble seeing. By the time we got home, she was almost completely blind. They sent her home with Doxycycline, Gabapentin, Dermamaxx and Pepcid to see if anything improved. She seems to feel better, but cannot see a thing. She does not indicate that she needs to go out to go to the bathroom, and I can see that her eyes look like they are bulging and the iris is a little red. The vet seems baffled as to what's causing all of the problems and referred us to an ophthalmologist to see if they can determine anything further. What is your opinion for the cause(s) and treatment?

My dog has a form of non-regenerative anemia, and my vet believes it is due to the bone marrow not producing red blood cells. He's had 2 transfusions in the last 2 weeks, and those coupled with medicine and diagnostic costs have left me very near the top of what I can afford. If I am unable to do another transfusion if/when he needs it in the next couple weeks, what am I looking at in terms of options? If his PCV were to drop below 10, what are the repercussions (lowest it has been is 12)? Basically, if he doesn't get a transfusion what complications would arise, and what would he die from at that point? I don't want him to suffer, and would likely put him down if it gets that bad. I just haven't been able to find an article that cuts straight to the point of what the cause of death would be if anemia were to go untreated. He's an extremely calm and complacent dog, and it is hard to tell if he's experiencing discomfort or pain because he's so extremely chill and unreactive when he's perfectly healthy.

My dog was fine one day and the next he wasn't. Listless, weak, pale membranes. dark urine. He appeared to go downhill quickly. Took him to the vet, Hct, Hgb, and RBC low and within two days even lower. He could barely walk. Admitted to hosp. Transfused and became even worse. Had a bone marrow biopsy, didn't appear as abnormal as I expected but def. non-regenerative anemia, actually PRCA, no other cells affected. He was too weak and his body never had a chance to respond to steroid therapy. I lost him. I will never get over this loss and I seek answers everyday regarding my "shusky" How common ins this and why. Can the multi-valent vaccines cause the condition? How come some dogs survive. Why did my pup go downhill so quickly? Does it sound like an IM anemia. I'm always looking for news and new treatments for this dreaded condition. Thank you.

I have a 5.5 year old American Eskimo. He recently passed out when he got overly excited. Brought him to the vet he has had blood work done, an ultrasound, a blood transfusion...so far we have no answer as to what is causing the anemia. Is a bone marrow test likely to lead to the answer? And is that answer most likely cancer?

My 2 year old cocker spaniel has been diagnosed with congenital kidney disease along with non regenerative anaemia. She has been on several medications and subq fluids. She had been doing really well until this morning when she is struggling to keep her balance. Would this be the anaemia or the kidney failure that is getting her st long last?

My 10 year old pitbull was diagnosed with non-regenerative imha 5/15, she was also tested for babesia results pending. Her PCV was originally 18% and has varied from 20-24% but today it was 19%. My question is she had a CBC repeated on 5/18 and her reticulocyte count was up. If her IMHA is non regenerative how is her reticulocyte count up from 2,000 to 27,000. Also she is currently on pred, leflunomide, pecid, cerenia, benedryl, doxy, should i also add cyclosporine? She is anorexic as it is I dont want to upset the balance anymore if it wont be beneficial