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Renal Anemia
Renal anemia is the reduction in red blood cells caused by failing kidneys' inability to produce adequate erythropoietin. It is a common complication of chronic-kidney-disease.
Key Facts
- Kidneys produce erythropoietin (EPO), the hormone that stimulates red blood cell production
- Damaged kidneys produce less EPO, leading to progressive anemia
- Weakness becomes evident when PCV drops below 20 in dogs and cats
- GI bleeding from uremia compounds the blood loss
- Treatment: injectable human erythropoietin (darbepoetin or epoetin)
- EPO injections given 3x/week initially, then reduced to 1-2x/week
- Risk: 25-30% of pets develop antibodies against human EPO, worsening anemia irreversibly
- Iron supplementation may be needed alongside EPO therapy
- PCV/hematocrit monitoring is essential
- Species: dogs and cats