Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Anemia linked to low vitamin B12 and folate in dogs
By Stanley, Emma et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2019·Internal Medicine Service, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Relationship between cobalamin and folate deficiencies and anemia in dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 114 dogs was studied to see if low levels of vitamin B12 (cobalamin) or folate were linked to anemia, which is a condition where dogs have fewer red blood cells. While some dogs with anemia did show low vitamin B levels, the study found that these deficiencies didn't always lead to the same type of anemia seen in humans. In fact, many anemic dogs had normal vitamin levels. This suggests that while vitamin B deficiencies can occur in anemic dogs, they might not be the main cause of their anemia.
People also search for: dog anemia symptoms · low vitamin B12 in dogs · dog folate deficiency treatment
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Megaloblastic, nonregenerative anemia is a well-known consequence of cobalamin or folate deficiencies in humans but is not recognized in hypocobalaminemic or hypofolatemic dogs. Establishment of relationships between hypocobalaminemia or hypofolatemia and hematologic disease would encourage vitamin B testing, and potentially supplementation, in anemic dogs. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of anemia in hypocobalaminemic or hypofolatemic dogs and to report the prevalence of hypocobalaminemia and hypofolatemia and nonregenerative anemia, macrocytosis, and anisocytosis in anemic dogs. ANIMALS: One hundred and fourteen client-owned dogs with known serum cobalamin and folate concentrations and CBCs and 42 client-owned anemic dogs. METHODS: Retrospective comparison of anemia prevalence in hypocobalaminemic or hypofolatemic and normocobalaminemic or normofolatemic dogs was performed. Prospective measurement of erythrocyte variables and cobalamin and folate concentrations in anemic dogs was carried out; relationships among hypocobalaminemia and regenerative status, mean corpuscular volume, and red cell distribution width were evaluated. RESULTS: Significant differences in prevalence of anemia between hypocobalaminemic (36%) and normocobalaminemic dogs (26%; P = .23) or between hypofolatemic (31%) and normofolatemic dogs (30%; P = .99) were not detected. Between hypocobalaminemic and normocobalaminemic dogs, no significant differences in prevalence of nonregenerative anemia (69% vs 63%; P = .65), macrocytosis (17% vs 0%; P = .53), or anisocytosis (28% vs 0%; P = .14) were detected. Anemic dogs had high prevalence of vitamin B deficiencies (nonregenerative: 64% hypocobalaminemic, 18% hypofolatemic; regenerative: 57% hypocobalaminemic, 21% hypofolatemic). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The association between cobalamin and folate deficiencies and macrocytic, nonregenerative anemia established in humans is not routinely present in dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30499147/