Diagnostic Testing Service
Canine Anemia Panel (PCS005)
Specimen type
EDTA whole blood
Contents
- Babesia canis invades red blood cells causing lethargy, weakness, anorexia, fever, pale mucous membranes, and dark discoloration of the urine.
- Babesia gibsoni invades red blood cells causing dark urine, fever, weakness, pale mucous membranes, depression, an enlarged spleen, and thrombocytepenia.
- Anaplasma platys infects platelets causing thrombocytopenia. Infected dogs may develop bruising or bleeding (including nosebleeds), especially during the early stages of infection when platelet counts may be at their lowest.
- Ehrlichia canis infect monocytes and macrophages causing ever, swollen lymph nodes, respiratory distress, weight loss, bleeding disorders, polyarthritis, and occasionally, neurological disturbances.
- Mycoplasma haemocanis (formerly Haemobartonella canis) rarely causes anemia in dogs with normal spleens and normal immune systems.
- Dogs infected with Lyme disease may show symptoms of lameness, swollen lymph nodes, joint swelling, fatigue, and loss of appetite.
- The direct Coombs test is used to test for autoimmune hemolytic anemia.
