My dog has diarrhea and pale gums. Could diarrhea cause anemia?

White gums are very concerning for anemia. It would be unusual for a 2 year old dog to have a bleeding ulcer, but it is possible. More commonly would be a tick born infection like ehrlichia, or even babesia . Sometimes the immune system can attack the red blood cells as well. Changing his diet won’t help the anemia without finding out the cause and treating that at the same time. Best of luck and I hope he improves soon. Thank you for using Pet Coach.

Yes, with any immune-mediated disease you can see these symptoms. They are serious symptoms so if Jess is not already under the care of a veterinarian then you need to get her care urgently. It sounds like she may have immune mediated hemolytic anemia which is life threatening but can be easily treated if caught early. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Just because you don't see worms doesn't mean they aren't there. In fact, hookworms are the worms that cause anemia (and subsequently white gums) and they are so tiny you cannot see them with the naked eye. There are other intestinal parasite, like coccidia, that are microscopic as well. I would recommend bringing a fecal sample to your vet to have it analyzed so you can make sure you are treating all the parasites the puppy may have. Also, keep in mind, most puppies need multiple dewormings to get all of the parasites. Giving her moist food is fine, it will also help hydrate her since she isn't drinking great. Good luck with the little guy.

Hi. I am very sorry about Holly being so sick. I am very concerned about her pale gum color. She could have a true emergency going on right now - and she should be seen by a veterinarian right away. Pale gums are related to lack of perfusion or anemia (low red blood cell count). Any of the reasons that cause pale gums are a true emergency and she should be examined right away. Very best of luck to you and sweet Holly.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Loss of appetite can be observed with many conditions such as gastroenteritis, dietary indiscretion, kidney disease, pancreatitis, among many other possibilities. This could absolutely be due to anemia given her pale mucous membranes. I recommend that you have Snow evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to check for these possibilities and others depending on the findings on exam. Treatment would be based on findings. Good luck and have a good night! Hoping for a speedy recovery!

Bloody diarrhea could be caused by toxin ingestion, parasites, change in diet,, infectious viral diseases such as parvovirus, blockage in the gastrointestinal tract caused by ingestion of a foreign body, or a mass/growth in the gastrointestinal tract. In a newly re-homed pup like Kane, stress could also be a factor. Please have Kane seen by a veterinarian right away, as bloody diarrhea can lead to dehydration and anemia, and can be very dangerous and even deadly if left untreated. White gums are especially concerning, as they can indicate severe anemia. I recommend you take Kane in to the vet immediately, and take in a fecal sample from Kane when you go. Your vet will likely want to test the sample to see if Kane is infected with parvovirus or parasites so that he can be treated for accordingly. Best of luck. I hope he feels better soon!

You will not notice any physical changes with a raise in platelets. They simply form clots. Energy will increase with better oxygen-carrying ability, which is accomplished by having more red blood cells. Hemoglobin is in red blood cells, and can be low with anemia or iron deficiency. Making sure that Luffy has a good-quality dog food and a few treats of iron-rich foods (like spinach or red meat) will help by giving the body the building blocks it needs to make more red blood cells.