Symptoms of Canine Leukemia

Fever

Dogs with leukemia sometimes display a mid-grade fever. This fever may be chronic (reoccurring), or may only appear once. It's difficult to know when your dog is experiencing high body temperature, so this symptom often goes unnoticed.

Anemia

Dogs with leukemia will usually begin to appear anemic. This is due to the lack of healthy red blood cells, which causes visible negative effects on a dog's health. Anemia is characterized by either a lack of red blood cells, or a lack of iron in the blood. In dogs with leukemia, the red blood cells are decreasing in number, and are not being produced at a rate fast enough to maintain a high red blood cell count. Red blood cells come from the bone marrow, which is why anemia is very common in dogs with leukemia.

Excessive Bleeding and Bruising

When a dog has leukemia, often times they will begin to bruise easily, or bleed profusely if injured. This symptom is caused by the high number of under-developed blood cells, as well as the lack of platelets in a dog's blood. Platelets are responsible for helping blood clot, which is why dogs with leukemia will appear to bruise more frequently. If your dog is of a long-hair breed, however, this symptom may be initially hard to spot.

Lethargy

Dogs with leukemia will sometimes begin to display a lack of interest in daily activities. This is very common in many different types of medical conditions, and is not unique to leukemia. A lack of energy in your dog is a sure sign that something is wrong, and that you need to seek veterinary attention immediately.

Loss of Appetite

It's very common for dogs with leukemia to show little or no interest in food. Leukemia is a potentially serious condition, and will have subsequent negative effects on your dog's health. As a result, your dog will be feeling sick. Since your dog is not able to verbally communicate with you, a lack of interest in food is your dog's way of telling you that something is wrong.

Weight Loss

When a dog has leukemia, it is very common for them to begin losing weight. This is partially caused by a lack of appetite, but can lead to other, more serious complications. Rapid weight loss is usually accompanied by malnutrition. If this is the case, your dog may begin to display the symptoms of malnutrition, such as fur loss, dull coat and lack of energy.

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