Erythrocyte Volume Distribution Analysis and Hematologic Changes in Dogs with Iron Deficiency Anemia

Abstract

Abstract. Hematologic features were characterized in 12 dogs with iron deficiency anemia attributable to chronic external blood loss. Consistent abnormalities in hemograms included moderate to marked reticulocytosis, decreased mean corpuscular volume, and decreased mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration. Hypoproteinemia occurred in only four of 12 dogs. Consistent blood film findings included hypochromic cel1s, leptocytosis, and erythrocyte fragmentation. These dogs had significantly decreased serum iron values (p < 0.00I) and percent transferrin saturation values (p < 0.00I) compared with 33 clinically healthy adult dogs. The total iron binding capacity values of these dogs were not significantly different (p > 0.5) than those of the healthy dogs. Using erythrocyte volume distribution curves, the percentages of microcytic cells (:5 45 fl) were determined to range from 20% to 82%. Sequential changes in erythrocyte subpopulations were evaluated in four dogs which received iron therapy. The hematologic response consisted of fairly rapid restoration of packed cell volume by production of normocytes followed by a more gradual replacement of residual microcytes by new normocytes.Iron deficiency anemia in dogs is regarded as a rare condition associated with blood sucking parasites or other causes of chronic external blood loss [17]. Hematologic features include anemia, microcytosis, hypochromic erythrocytes, and poikilocytosis [17]. The anemia generally is regarded as hypo proliferative or non-regenerative [II]. While recent sources indicate that decreased serum iron and increased total iron binding capacity are features of iron deficiency [II,13], there are no reports of these values in iron deficient dogs.The increased use of automated cell counting systems, which provide accurate erythrocytic indices [10], may result in more frequent recognition of dogs with iron deficiency anemia. Furthermore, erythrocyte volume distribution curves (erythrograms) are more sensitive than mean corpuscular volume values in detecting disturbances of erythrocyte size [1][2][3]15]. Erythrograms were used in this study to quantitate the degree of microcytosis and to estimate sequential changes in numbers of erythrocytes within microcytic and normocytic subpopulations following iron 230

Hematology of Anemia Experimentally Induced by Repeated Bleedings in Japanese Flounder with Comments on the Cause of Flounder Anemia Recently Prevailing in Japan.

“…However, leptocytes, or tagetshaped cells, in mammals seem to be similar to the deformed erythrocytes; leptocytes have relatively low cellular material compared to their cell surfaces. There is a report demonstrating that leptocytosis in dogs was induced by iron deficiency anemia attributable to chronic external blood loss (Weiser and O'Grady, 1983). The erythrocytes in the bled and unfed fish in the present study often showed an insufficient accumulation of Hb.…”

“…In recent years, anemia has been prevailing in both wild and cultured Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, in Japan (Miwa and Inouye, 1999;Yoshinaga et al, 2000;Mushiake et al, 2001). The anemia is hematologically characterized by the appearance of immature erythrocytes, deformed erythro cytes and abnormal erythrocytes having weakly stained or vacuolated cytoplasm.…”

“…Regarding the etiology of the anemia, although a viral agent was first suspected as the cause (Miwa and Inouye, 1999), the blood-feeding monoge nean Neoheterobothrium hirame is currently considered as the most probable causative agent (Yoshinaga et al, 2000(Yoshinaga et al, , 2001a(Yoshinaga et al, , 2001b. However, the etiology has not been fully clarified yet.…”

Iron Homeostasis and Disorders in Dogs and Cats: A Review

“…47,48 Since iron is preferentially used for hemo- however, a few weeks of iron deficiency are still needed before abnormalities are detected. 56 In contrast, the CHr decreases within a few days of iron-deficient erythropoiesis.…”

Koyunlarda Doğum Öncesi ve Sonrası Serum Demir Durumu ve Hematolojik Endekslerle İlişkisi

“…The concentration of the iron standard minus the unbound iron is called the unbound iron-binding capacity (UIBC), which is used to calculate the TIBC (UIBC plus total serum iron concentration). TIBC is increased in iron deficiency in humans, horses, cattle, and pigs, but does not appear to be increased in clinical iron deficiency in dogs [2,3] . In a study by [4] , TIBC levels in sheep exposed to dietary limitation were higher than that of control group.…”