Increased hemoglobin in dogs: causes, symptoms, treatment, diet

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Elevated hemoglobin in dogs, like low hemoglobin, is not an independent disease. But such a condition can cause the development of diseases or be their direct consequence. Therefore, it is impossible to ignore the increase in hemoglobin levels. It is imperative to find out why this happened, and, of course, bring the indicators back to normal or cure the disease that led to the increase in hemoglobin.

And of course, you need to imagine what it is, how it is determined and what is required to adjust its level.

What is hemoglobin?

If a veterinarian says a dog has high hemoglobin, what does that mean? This question is asked by absolutely all pet owners who are poorly versed in medical terms and in everything related to the he alth of pets.

What is the doctor talking about? About the number of red blood cells in the animal's blood and their condition. Hemoglobin is a special protein that contains iron and is an integral part oferythrocyte. This component of the blood composition forms relationships with oxygen and carbon oxides.

What is the danger of increasing its level?

Any abnormalities associated with the level of hemoglobin lead to disturbances in the oxygen-transporting function. An excess of this protein, which is no longer able to hold red blood cells, has a toxic effect when it enters the blood plasma. That is, it simply poisons the body. Also, when excess iron-containing proteins are released, the erythrocyte cell breaks, respectively, it dies. In response, the body begins to increase the production of these components, that is, the volume of red blood cells in the blood rises sharply, while the balance of elements is disturbed.

An excess of free hemoglobin leads to the development of such pathologies:

• blockage of channels in the kidneys;
• necrosis (necrosis) of tissues;
• acute organ failure.

Usually, kidney failure occurs, but pathogenic dysfunction can also develop in other organs.

An increase in the number of red blood cells or their swelling causes lung problems, heart problems and many other pathologies.

What is the normal hemoglobin?

Increased hemoglobin in dogs is diagnosed by veterinarians if the indicators exceed 120-180 units. This is the normal level of red blood cells in the blood of an adult animal.

For puppies, of course, the norm will be different. The level of erythrocytes inpuppies should be at the level of 74-180 units. Of course, the older the animal, the higher the indicator should be. If a dog at 9-11 months old has a red blood cell level of 74-80 units, then this already indicates a deviation from the norm.

What symptoms indicate an increase in the number of red blood cells?

Recognizing increased hemoglobin is much more difficult than low. There are no obvious symptoms of this condition.

The following should alert the hosts:

• bright coloration of mucous membranes;
• breathing disorders;
• cardiac arrhythmia;
• constant thirst.

Especially noticeable is the high level of hemoglobin in the event that the pet cuts itself on a walk. The blood of dogs with an excess of red blood cells is very thick, it resembles jelly. That is, blood will neither pour nor ooze from the wound, it will hang in drops.

How is the hemoglobin level determined?

At a full examination of animals in veterinary clinics, they also take a blood test. In dogs whose condition does not cause any concern, as a rule, blood is taken only for general or, as it is more commonly called, clinical analysis. When deciphering the data obtained, the number of red blood cells is revealed, that is, the level of hemoglobin in the blood is determined.

If the condition of the animal causes any concerns or suspicions in the veterinarian, then a biochemical study is also carried out. It does not reflect the level of hemoglobin, but gives an idea of the development of variouspathological conditions caused by an increase in red blood cells or which are the cause of this imbalance in the components of the blood composition.

What does a clinical overview reveal? How is it sold?

Of course, clinical analysis reveals not only low or high hemoglobin in dogs. This blood test allows veterinarians to get a complete, holistic picture of an animal's he alth.

The analysis includes the following parameters:

• hematocrits;
• hemoglobin level;
• color indicator;
• erythrocyte sedimentation rate and quantity;
• leukocytes and platelets.

The test will require compliance with a special regime, which the doctor will definitely warn about. Its essence boils down to the fact that the animal should not be fed before donating blood.

Biological material is taken from a vein. As a rule, a couple of milliliters of blood is enough for the study. The material taken for analysis is placed in a test tube with an anticoagulant that prevents the clotting process.

Why does hemoglobin increase?

If a dog has elevated hemoglobin, the causes of this phenomenon can be associated with the presence of serious diseases or pathologies, as well as with any incidents, events in the life of the animal or with its diet.

As a rule, the level of hemoglobin increases for the following reasons:

• poisoning the body;
• dehydration;
• stay in rarefied air, that is, at a height, for example, on the roof of a skyscraper or in the mountains, inballoon basket;
• excessive exercise;
• special nutrition;
• clotting of blood due to pathogenic processes or due to hereditary predisposition.

It is very important to correctly determine the reason why the level of red blood cells is rising. After all, it depends on her how to bring the hemoglobin indicator in line with the norm.

What to do after an analysis that revealed an increase in hemoglobin?

If a veterinarian has detected elevated hemoglobin in a dog, what should I do in this case? Of course, the doctor will prescribe a number of additional studies necessary in order to exclude the presence of internal diseases or, conversely, to identify them. If any pathology is found, then it should be cured, then the hemoglobin values will return to normal.

However, there are a number of general recommendations that must be followed regardless of the reason why the level of erythrocytes has increased and, accordingly, hemoglobin has increased. Veterinarians usually explain in detail to the owners of the animal what and how they should do. At the same time, doctors are based on the condition of a particular animal, so their advice is indispensable.

As for the general recommendations for all animals, then, of course, first of all, it is necessary to exclude foods that raise hemoglobin from the diet. In addition, it is necessary to reduce the level of physical activity, for example, replace cycling, during which the animal runs nearby, with calm and unhurried ones.walking along the alleys of the park or forest paths. It is also important to eliminate dehydration, especially for dogs that are experiencing exorbitant stress and eating dry food.

How does dry food affect hemoglobin levels?

As a rule, foods that raise hemoglobin are associated by most pet owners with “normal food”. However, how many dogs eat liver, brains, liver, meat, lungs and other things? How often in a modern city can you meet a dog breeder who cooks porridge for an animal? As a rule, now even employees of canteens and restaurants feed their pets with ready-made mixtures. It is very simple and convenient. Large dogs usually eat dry food, while small owners buy canned food for animals.

And paradoxically, it is ready-made food that tops the list of those foods that cause an increase in the level of red blood cells in the blood. Canned food does not have such an effect, but dry mixes inevitably lead to an increase in hemoglobin.

Why is this happening? Because the hallmark of such feeds is a large amount of protein in the composition, and, of course, they have a specific absorption. Food, getting into the stomach, should swell, and this requires water. As a rule, the vast majority of dog owners feed the animals before the walk.

That is, the dog is subjected to physical stress during the swelling in the stomach of dry food, which takes fluid from the body. That is why animals do not miss a single puddle on the street, withgreedily lapping this water, despite the menacing cries of the owners. And this is repeated daily. The logical outcome is an increase in hemoglobin with concomitant blood clotting and dehydration.

What foods increase hemoglobin? What should not be given to a dog?

Accordingly, the basis of dietary nutrition is the exclusion of dry food while hemoglobin returns to normal. Of course, further adjustment of its use will be required.

But in addition to dry food from the diet of the animal must be eliminated:

• offal;
• meat and liver;
• liver and black pudding;
• red vegetables, berries and fruits.

In no case should you give an animal vitamin complexes containing iron during this period. Pharmacy children's hematogen can not be used as a treat.

What kind of diet do you need? What to feed the animal?

The basis of the diet of an animal that needs a decrease in hemoglobin levels, as a rule, is porridge. Of course, the owners have a question about what kind of porridge can dogs.

In principle, there are no restrictions on the types of cereals. Although it is not recommended to abuse buckwheat porridge. However, not all dogs tolerate some of them well. For example, barley is not absorbed by the body of the vast majority of animals, like whole boiled oats. Rice porridge can cause constipation, especially in small toy dogs. In other words, the owner needs to observe the reaction of the animal's body to a particular porridge and, thus, find his own,ideal basis for a dietary diet.

As for the preparation of cereals, animals do not need sugar, s alt, butter or ghee. Many owners try to add them "for taste." Animal receptors are arranged differently than human ones. Therefore, improving the taste of cereals with sugar or butter will only bring harm, and will not affect the dog's appetite in any way. If you really want to make porridge tastier, then you should cook it in fish or chicken broth.

If a veterinarian has detected elevated hemoglobin in dogs, this does not mean at all that they will have to eat only cereals. All foods that do not increase the level of iron and protein can be eaten by animals. For example, bread is a great alternative to dry food. If it is slightly dried in the oven, then the dog will be completely happy to receive such a dinner. Of course, this is not about sweet pastries or muffins, but about simple bread.

The diet should include vegetables, berries, fruits, greens. It is very easy to do this. It is enough to finely chop them and mix with the finished porridge. And so that the animal does not balk and eat with appetite, you need to add a ladle of broth, as they say, “for the smell.”

How many times should a dog be fed during a high hemoglobin decline?

There is no single answer to this question. Animals need to be watched. As a rule, adult dogs are fed twice a day, in the morning and in the evening. When changing the usual diet, the animal may not eat up or, conversely, start eating less.

If the dog comes several times during the day“Checking” your bowl means you need to feed it 3-4 times a day, but in smaller portions. If the animal leaves food, but does not look weakened, apathetic, lethargic, you need to feed it twice a day, reducing the volume.

The most important thing is walking. Especially for those animals that ate dry food. The change in diet causes the dog to need to go out much more often, especially in the first week. If the owners do not want to face the problem of cleaning the floors, then they definitely need to increase the time and frequency of walks.

Puppies do not need to change the number of feedings. The current feeding schedule should be followed. But walks need to be made more frequent and longer.

Is there a cure for this problem?

Although elevated red blood cells are not an independent disease, in some cases, veterinarians insist on a medical solution to this problem. As a rule, the cause of the pathology influences the decision to artificially reduce the number of red blood cells. It is necessary to identify why the dog's hemoglobin is elevated and by how much. When it comes to the presence of the consequences of being at altitude or excessive training, then doctors do not talk about any special treatment.

The procedure that leads to a rapid decrease in hemoglobin is called erythrophoresis or erythrocytapheresis. It is often confused with electrophoresis, but there is nothing in common between them.

The procedure is completely similar to the one that people do. It consists in running blood through special equipment. Duringwhile the blood masses are in the apparatus, they are crushed. That is, part of the red blood cells is separated and removed, and the blood released from them is returned to the body.

This procedure is done very rarely, only in the most exceptional cases. First, the animal does not tolerate it well. Secondly, not every veterinary clinic has the appropriate equipment.

The doctor can also recommend the use of drugs such as Trental or Hepatovet, which are used to thin the blood. However, these medicines are intended for people, therefore, they cannot be given to a dog on their own, without the doctor's recommendations and instructions on the dosage and schedule of administration.