Canine Anemia (General) Study Guide

Overview and Clinical Importance

Anemia is defined as a decreased packed cell volume (PCV), hematocrit (HCT), red blood cell (RBC) count, or hemoglobin concentration below the species-specific reference interval. In dogs, anemia is one of the most frequently encountered clinical abnormalities and represents a significant category of hematologic disease on the NAVLE. Understanding the classification, pathophysiology, and diagnostic approach to anemia is essential for veterinary practitioners, as anemia itself is not a diagnosis but rather a clinical finding that reflects an underlying disease process.

Red blood cells in dogs have a normal lifespan of approximately 110-120 days. Under normal physiologic conditions, the rate of RBC production in the bone marrow equals the rate of senescent RBC removal by the mononuclear phagocyte system. Anemia develops when this balance is disrupted through one of three fundamental mechanisms: blood loss, hemolysis (RBC destruction), or decreased RBC production.

Normal Canine Hematologic Reference Values

Understanding normal canine hematologic parameters is fundamental to identifying and classifying anemia.