Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Hemolytic anemia from enzyme deficiencies in dogs and cats
By Owen, Jennifer L & Harvey, John W·Published in The Veterinary clinics of North America. Small animal practice·2012·Department of Physiological Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Hemolytic anemia in dogs and cats due to erythrocyte enzyme deficiencies.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old English Springer Spaniel was brought in for dark urine and weakness, which are signs of hemolytic anemia (a condition where red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be made). The vet discovered that the dog had a deficiency in an enzyme called PFK, which can lead to serious health issues during hemolytic crises. While this condition is rare, recognizing it early can help prevent complications and guide future breeding decisions. The dog received supportive care and is now stable, but ongoing monitoring is recommended.
People also search for: dog dark urine · English Springer Spaniel anemia · PFK deficiency in dogs · hemolytic anemia treatment for dogs
Abstract
Erythrocyte enzyme deficiencies do not usually shorten life expectancy except for PK deficiency in dogs and the potential for PFK-deficient dogs to die during hemolytic crises. In addition, erythrocyte enzyme deficiencies are uncommon or rare, so they are generally not seriously considered in the differential diagnosis of anemia until common causes of anemia have been excluded. However, unique clinical and/or laboratory findings like sporadic hemoglobinuria in English Springer spaniels (PFK deficiency) may quickly point to the possibility of an inherited erythrocyte enzyme defect. The ability to diagnose deficient or carrier animals allows for the possibility of eliminating these undesirable traits in future breeding. Continued research is needed to document additional enzyme deficiencies that likely occur and to develop additional DNA-based assays that are especially important in the recognition of heterozygous or carrier animals that have no clinical signs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22285158/