Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook.pdf - Mr. Walnuts

Severe anemia is corrected with blood transfusions. Splenectomy (removal of
the spleen) may be beneficial, but only when tests prove that the spleen is
contributing to the hemolytic process.
The response to treatment depends on the rate of hemolysis and whether
an underlying cause can be found and corrected. The outlook is guarded; even
with appropriate medical treatment, the mortality rate is close to 40 percent.
Congenital Hemolytic Anemia
Several inherited abnormalities in the structure of red blood cells can result in
their premature destruction. Phosphofructokinase deficiency is an autosomal
recessive trait that occurs in English Springer Spaniels and Cocker Spaniels.
A deficiency of this enzyme results in changes in the pH of red blood cells,
causing the cells to periodically fragment and produce bouts of hemoglobinuria.
There is no effective treatment.
Pyruvate kinase deficiency is another red blood cell enzyme deficiency
caused by an autosomal recessive gene. This disease is recognized in several
breeds, including Basenjis, Beagles, and West Highland White Terriers.
Puppies usually develop the hemolytic anemia at 2 to 12 months of age.
Death by age 3 is the usual outcome.
Genetic tests for phosphofructokinase and pyruvate kinase deficiency are
available through the University of Pennsylvania at PennGen, and from
OptiGen and VetGen.
OFA maintains a voluntary diagnostic service and registry for dogs with
phosphofructokinase deficiency, and Basenjis with pyruvate kinase deficiency,
in cooperation with the respective national breed clubs (see appendix D).
INADEQUATE RED BLOOD CELL PRODUCTION
THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM • 351
When the metabolic activity of the bone marrow is depressed, new red blood
cells are not manufactured as fast as old ones are destroyed. This results in an
anemia due to inadequate red blood cell production. A common cause of
bone marrow depression is chronic illness, especially associated with kidney
and liver disease.
Iron, trace minerals, vitamins, and fatty acids are all incorporated into red
blood cells. Thus a deficiency of one or more of these nutrients could slow
down or stop cell production. This is an unusual cause of anemia in dogs,
because commercial dog foods contain more than adequate amounts of essential
vitamins and minerals.
Iron deficiency is an exception. It occurs when iron is lost from the body
faster than it can be replaced through the diet. The two situations in which
this is most likely to happen are chronic gastrointestinal bleeding and a heavy
infestation of blood-sucking insects (such as fleas, ticks, or lice).