Anemia
Anemia -- a deficiency of red blood cells -- occurs in chronic-kidney-disease when the kidneys can no longer produce enough erythropoietin, the hormone that stimulates red blood cell production in bone marrow. This is called non-responsive anemia and can become severe enough to require a transfusion.
Key Facts
- CKD-related anemia is non-responsive (bone marrow is not stimulated due to lack of erythropoietin)
- Monitored via hematocrit and packed cell volume (PCV) in blood-work
- Becomes clinically relevant in CKD Stage III+
- Erythropoietin injections can treat the condition but carry potential pitfalls
- Polycythemia (opposite: too many red blood cells) is a separate condition that can cause hypertension
- Species: dogs and cats
Connections (25)
Related Conditions
Failing kidneys cannot produce enough erythropoietin.
Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause serious red blood cell reduction
The immune-mediated destruction of parasitized red blood cells directly causes a deficiency in circulating red blood cells.
— can develop secondary to FIV infection
— bone marrow suppression causes anemia
Fleas cause anemia through chronic blood loss
— can occur secondary to systemic fungal disease
Blood loss causes acute anemia
Polycythemia (excess red blood cells) can cause high blood pressure, while anemia is the opposite problem.
— severe form
— hookworms cause severe blood-loss anemia
Blood-sucking lice can cause significant blood loss leading to anemia.
Bone marrow infiltration suppresses red blood cell production
Hemolytic anemia from antibody-mediated red blood cell destruction
Zinc poisoning and certain toxins cause anemia
Renal anemia is one specific cause of anemia
— tick-borne diseases can cause anemia
Zinc causes hemolytic anemia by destroying red blood cells