Clinical and Hemato-biochemical Studies on Canine Anemia

Abstract

The study was performed to assess the common etiopathologies, clinical and haematobiochemical alterations in anemic dogs that were admitted to the teaching veterinary hospital at faculty of veterinary medicine, Cairo University and private clinics in Cairo and Giza governorates, Egypt. A total number (71 dogs) was included in the present study. This number comprises 16 apparently healthy dogs and 55 anemic cases. Historical data, clinical and hematobiochemical investigations were applied on all animals for detection of the definitive common causes of anemia. Results revealed four main definitive causes of anemia included parvoviral infection (sub-group 1): 20 cases (36% of diseased cases), ectoparasitic infestation (sub-group 2): 18 cases (32%), malnutrition (sub-group 3): 7 cases (12%) and hepatic or renal diseases (sub-group 4): 10 cases (18%). The most recorded clinical manifestations in diseased dogs were pale mucous membranes, tachycardia, tachypnea and low performance. Haematological parameters included haemoglobin (Hb), total erythrocytic count (TEC) and haematocrit (HCT) revealed significant (P≤0.001) decrease in all diseased sub-groups compared with apparently healthy group. Serum biochemical parameters showed significant increase in alanine amino transferase (ALT) level in sub-groups 1and 4 (P≤0.001), sub-group 2 (P≤0.01), and sub-group 3 (P≤0.05). Aspartate amino transferase (AST) level showed significant increase in sub-group 4 (P≤0.001), sub-group 1 (P≤0.01) and sub-group 3 (P≤0.05). Significant decrease among glucose level was recorded in sub-group 1 (P≤0.001) and sub-groups 3 and 4 (P≤0.01). Iron level showed significant decrease in sub-group 1(P≤0.001), subgroup 3 (P≤0.01) and sub-group 4 (P≤0.05). Copper level decreased significantly in sub-groups 1 and 3 (P≤0.01). Total protein decreased significantly in sub-groups 1and 3(P≤0.001), sub-group 4 (P≤0.01) and sub-group 2 (P≤0.05). All results were in comparison with apparently healthy group records. Etiopathological identification of canine anemia in the light of hematobiochemical status is helpful for further investigations and therapeutic protocol decisions.