Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Hemolytic anemia in dogs and cats due to erythrocyte enzyme deficiencies.
- Journal:
- The Veterinary clinics of North America. Small animal practice
- Year:
- 2012
- Authors:
- Owen, Jennifer L & Harvey, John W
- Affiliation:
- Department of Physiological Sciences · United States
Plain-English summary
In dogs and cats, certain enzyme deficiencies in red blood cells can lead to a type of anemia, but these conditions are usually not life-threatening, except for a specific deficiency called PK in dogs, which can be serious during certain crises. These enzyme deficiencies are rare, so vets typically look for more common causes of anemia first. However, if a dog, like an English Springer Spaniel, shows signs like occasional dark urine, it might suggest an inherited enzyme issue. Identifying these deficiencies can help breeders avoid passing them on to future generations. More research is needed to find other enzyme deficiencies and to create tests that can identify carriers who don't show any symptoms.
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.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22285158/