Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Idiopathic neutropenia in young dogs under 4 years and treatment
By Brown, Cory D et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2006·Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Evaluation of clinicopathologic features, response to treatment, and risk factors associated with idiopathic neutropenia in dogs: 11 cases (1990-2002).
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 11 dogs with unexplained low white blood cell counts (idiopathic neutropenia) were treated with prednisone, a common steroid medication. Most of these dogs were younger than 4 years old, and they showed improvement within 18 days of starting treatment, with no serious complications or infections reported. The study suggests that this condition may be immune-related, and the prognosis for recovery with prednisone is very good.
People also search for: dog low white blood cell count treatment · prednisone for dogs · young dog immune problems
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinicopathologic features, response to treatment, and risk factors associated with idiopathic neutropenia in dogs. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 11 dogs. PROCEDURES: Medical records of dogs with idiopathic neutropenia were reviewed. Signalment, history, clinical signs, and response to treatment were recorded and compared with that in dogs with neutropenia attributable to known causes and to dogs without neutropenia (controls). RESULTS: Compared with dogs with neutropenia attributable to known causes, dogs with idiopathic neutropenia had lower neutrophil counts and were younger. When compared with control dogs, age < 4 years was identified as a risk factor for developing idiopathic neutropenia. In all dogs with idiopathic neutropenia, remission of neutropenia occurred within 18 days after administration of prednisone (2 to 4 mg/kg [0.9 to 1.8 mg/lb], PO, daily) and no serious complications or infections developed. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: An immune-mediated pathogenesis should be considered for dogs with idiopathic neutropenia in which the cause is not known. Severe neutropenia and young age were significantly associated with idiopathic neutropenia in dogs. Prognosis appeared to be excellent with prednisone treatment.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16817719/