Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Low reticulocyte hemoglobin and volume linked to iron deficiency
By Steinberg, Jennifer D & Olver, Christine S·Published in Veterinary clinical pathology·2005·Department of Microbiology, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Hematologic and biochemical abnormalities indicating iron deficiency are associated with decreased reticulocyte hemoglobin content (CHr) and reticulocyte volume (rMCV) in dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs was found to have low levels of reticulocyte hemoglobin content (CHr) and reticulocyte volume (rMCV), which are indicators of iron deficiency. These dogs showed symptoms like anemia and low iron levels, which can lead to fatigue and weakness. The study suggests that measuring CHr and rMCV can help veterinarians detect iron deficiency early, even when other tests might not show clear results. By identifying these issues, appropriate treatments can be started to improve the dogs' health and energy levels.
People also search for: dog anemia symptoms · low iron in dogs treatment · what does low CHr mean in dogs
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The ADVIA 120 automated hematology system uses low- and high-angle light scatter to determine individual RBC and reticulocyte volume and hemoglobin (Hgb) concentration. Current hematologic and biochemical markers of iron status in the dog are insensitive, and results may be highly variable, especially in the presence of concurrent disease (ie, inflammation, neoplasia). Reticulocyte Hgb content (CHr) has proven useful in detecting early iron deficiency and iron deficiency masked by concurrent disease in human patients. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to retrospectively investigate the association of low CHr and reticulocyte MCV (rMCV) with hematologic and biochemical abnormalities indicative of iron deficiency in canine patients. METHODS: Reference intervals for CHr and rMCV were established on a population of 362 hematologically-normal dogs using standard methods. CBC and serum biochemical results from 833 dogs at Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital were retrospectively evaluated. The prevalence of decreased CHr and rMCV values was determined based on the reference intervals. Hematologic (HCT, MCV) and biochemical (serum Fe concentration, percent saturation of transferrin [% sat]) values were compared among dogs with low CHr (n=58), low rMCV (n=50), and control dogs (cohort groups from the initial population) using a Fisher exact test. RESULTS: Reference intervals were 22.3-27.9 pg for CHr and 77.8-100.2 fL for rMCV. Seven percent (n=58) of dogs in the hospital population had low CHr and 6% (n=50) had low rMCV based on the reference values. Dogs with low CHr had significantly lower HCT, MCV, serum Fe, and % sat values than did control dogs. In addition, dogs with low CHr or low rMCV values had a higher frequency of microcytosis, anemia, low serum Fe concentration, and low % sat than did control dogs. CONCLUSION: Low CHr and low rMCV are associated with hematologic and serum biochemical abnormalities indicative of iron deficiency. CHr and rMCV hold promise as noninvasive, cost-effective measures of iron status in the dog.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15732013/