Blood cells form and develop mostly in a dog’s bone marrow, the tissue found in the bone cavities. Blood has many functions when it circulates throughout your dog’s body. Apart from delivering oxygen and essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, sugars, and fats to the tissues, blood also transports carbon dioxide to the lungs that are exhaled. In contrast, the waste products are transported to the kidneys and liver. These get eliminated from a dog’s body. In this blog, we’re going to discuss blood disorders in dogs.
Symptoms of Dog Blood Disorders
Blood disorders in dogs are diverse and may occur as usual responses to abnormal situations like a significant increase in the number of white blood cells in response to an infection or disease. Blood disorders can also occur as primary abnormalities of the blood, like deficiency of all celluloid cellular elements bone marrow failure.
There may be abnormalities that stem from quantitative (too many cells or too few cells) or qualitative, meaning that the abnormalities in the way cells function. There are various types of blood types in humans, and the same applies to pets, horses, and other animals. That said, here are some symptoms of blood disorders in dogs:
Bleeding – this refers to the spontaneous and excessive bleeding from a simple cut or surgery. This means you need to check your dog’s body and her mouth for signs of dog blood disorders in case of spontaneous bleeding that an injury may not cause.
Nosebleeds – blood may drip from the nose, or there may be blood in her water dish because of irritated or swollen blood vessels.
Bruising – This is when the blood vessels may be sensitive to pressure and may result in bruising if there is surgery or active play with people and other dogs.
5 Causes of Your Dog’s Bleeding Disorders
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Congenital Clotting Protein Disorder – Hypofibrinogenemia, a genetically inherited protein deficiency, can prevent blot clotting in breeds like Saint Bernard and Vizsla.
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Deficiency of Factor VII – Bruising and excessive bleeding during surgery occurs due to the deficiency of a dog blood-clotting protein called Factor VII found in these breeds: Alaskan Malamute, Beagle, Boxer, English Bulldog, and Miniature Schnauzer.
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Canine Thombopathia – This disorder is a congenital issue in platelets’ function where there is not sufficient clotting. Canine Thombopathia most commonly affects the Basset Hound. Some symptoms may include nosebleeds, bleeding gums, and tiny spot-like bruises on your dog’s skin.
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Von Willebrand’s Disease – The most common congenital bleeding disorder is Von Willebrand’s factor. This is a protein deficiency that controls blood clot formation. Dog breeds that are most affected by this disorder that also occurs in humans may include the following:
- Basset Hound
- Doberman Pinscher
- German Shepherd
- Golden Retriever
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Pembroke Welsh Corgi
- Standard Manchester Terrier
- Standard Poodle
- Scottish Terrier
- Shetland Sheepdog
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Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever – This disease is caused by the Rickettsia parasite transmitted by ticks which kill blood cells and cause your dog’s blood vessels to swell.
Symptoms may include the following:
- Nosebleeds
- Bruising
- Bleeding urine or stool
- Retinal bleeding
Safe Treatment of Your Dog’s Blood Disorders
- Platelet transfusion – Your pup may have a decreased platelet count, and your vet may recommend platelet transfusions.
- Cell transfusion – This is when anemia is involved, and your dog may require whole blood cell transfusion of packed red blood cell type.
- Homecare and checkups – Dog blood disorders need frequent veterinary visits to monitor urine and blood counts. You should restrict your dog’s movement if she has a bleeding episode. Give your pup soft dog food if she has sensitive gums, and refrain from giving your dog hard dog bones.
Note: If your dog has been diagnosed with a congenital bleeding disorder, you should consider spaying or neutering so that it’s not passed to pups.
4 Herbal Remedies to Keep Your Dog’s Blood Healthy
Opt for one of these four herbal remedies to help support your dog with dog blood disorders:
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Bone broth and bone broth powder – may allow for immune support and blood detoxification. This broth is crafted with organic grass-fed cow bones. Pour enough water in your crockpot to cover bones with an extra 3 inches of water above the bones. Add 3-4 tablespoons of organic apple cider vinegar to draw out minerals. This should be cooked on high for 1 hour, then on low heat for 24 hours. Remove bones and dispose of them. Your pup shouldn’t consume cooked bones.
You can add the following:
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Bone Broth – 1/4 cup of lukewarm bone broth to your pup’s diet if she’s less than 10 pounds or 1/2 cup if she weighs more than 10 pounds.
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Marjoram – This features beta carotenes, essential oils, lutein & xanthins, iron, and vitamins A, C & K, which aids with dog blood conditions like blood circulation. All you should do is place some marjoram powder in your dog’s food or give some excellent marjoram tea. Marjoram can also be found in dog capsules. The featured dosage for small dogs is as follows:
Small pinch of powder, 1/2 capsule, up to 1/4 cup tea. The dosage for medium to large dogs: 1-2 teaspoons daily, one capsule, 1/2 – 1 cup tea.
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Plantain – this is a weed found in backyards that may be beneficial for blood clotting. You can add plantain leaves in your blender or juicer and give your dog one teaspoon daily for every 20 pounds.
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Turmeric – is a strong anti-inflammatory herb that may help to aid dog blood disorders because it reduces blood clots. You can heat a mixture of 1/2 cup turmeric powder, 2 cups water, 1/4 cup coconut oil, and one teaspoon black pepper that is ground to allow for a thick paste. You then should refrigerate turmeric paste in a sealed glass container and keep it for one month. The recommended dosage for turmeric should not exceed 1/4 teaspoon for every 10 pounds of your dog’s weight and not exceed one teaspoon for dogs over 100 pounds. Turmeric is a “warming” spice and should not be given to dogs with dog blood disorders who are naturally hot or pant excessively. Reach out to your vet before giving any herbs to your dogs for any health or blood conditions to ensure that it’s safe and does not interfere with your dog’s medications or health conditions.
Final Thoughts
Because signs of infection can vary from mild illnesses to severe diseases resulting in death, you should reach out to your vet as soon as you notice the first signs of infection. As usual, dogs’ signs will depend on the severity, the duration of illness, and the underlying causes.
An abnormal increase in platelets may also be linked to bone marrow disease or long-term blood loss and iron deficiency. Your vet will prescribe pet medications and treatment all the necessary testing has been done. You should also never give your dog aspirin or any other medication unless your vet has prescribed it.