Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Border collie puppy with anemia from low vitamin B12 levels
By Morgan, L W & McConnell, J·Published in Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association·1999·Friendship Hospital for Animals, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Cobalamin deficiency associated with erythroblastic anemia and methylmalonic aciduria in a border collie.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 14-month-old border collie was brought in for chronic anemia, which means it had low red blood cell counts and was feeling weak. Tests showed that the dog had low levels of vitamin B12 (cobalamin) and a specific type of anemia linked to a rare genetic disorder. The vet treated the dog with vitamin B12 injections, which helped improve its condition. With this treatment, the dog had a good chance of recovery and feeling better soon.
People also search for: border collie anemia treatment · dog low vitamin B12 symptoms · puppy cobalamin deficiency
Abstract
Anemia due to cobalamin deficiency is a rare genetic disorder that has been recognized in dogs only recently. This report concerns a 14-month-old border collie that presented for chronic, nonregenerative anemia. Cytological examination of a peripheral blood smear showed the presence of erythroblasts. Serum cobalamin levels were below reference ranges reported for clinically normal dogs. A methylmalonic aciduria was found on urinalysis. These signs are consistent with the anemia in Imerslund-Graesbeck syndrome reported in humans. Anemia due to cobalamin deficiency responds to parenteral vitamin B12 therapy, and affected animals have a good prognosis for recovery.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10493414/