Retrospective evaluation of anemia and erythrocyte morphological anomalies in dogs with lymphoma or inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To assess the prevalences of anemia and various RBC anomalies in dogs with lymphoma versus inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and to evaluate potential relationships between these variables and the severity of lymphoma. DESIGN Retrospective cross-sectional study. ANIMALS 82 client-owned dogs. PROCEDURES Medical records and blood smears were reviewed for dogs in which IBD or lymphoma had been diagnosed between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2014, and for healthy dogs evaluated during that time frame. Hematologic data were analyzed, and results were compared among groups of healthy dogs, dogs with IBD, and dogs with lymphoma. Results were also compared within the lymphoma group between dogs further grouped on the basis of lymphoma clinical stage, substage, and cell size. RESULTS Prevalence of anemia was significantly higher in dogs with lymphoma (17/32 [53%]) than in dogs with IBD (5/23 [22%]). The total number of different RBC anomalies was significantly higher in dogs with lymphoma than in dogs that were healthy or had IBD. A cutoff of 3 different RBC anomalies/dog enabled differentiation between lymphoma and IBD, with a sensitivity and specificity of 71% and 70%, respectively (area under the fitted curve, 0.7239 ± 0.0727). The presence of eccentrocytes was the only individual RBC anomaly significantly more common in dogs with lymphoma (8/28 [29%]) versus dogs with IBD (1/23 [4%]). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that detection of anemia combined with ≥ 3 RBC morphological anomalies, particularly eccentrocytes, on blood smears should increase the clinical suspicion of lymphoma, compared with IBD, in dogs.

Peripheral blood cell ratios as prognostic factors in canine diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma treated withCHOPprotocol

“…The pathogenesis contributing to anaemia in dogs suffering from lymphoma is undetermined. However, chronic disease with associated bone marrow erythroid hypoplasia, erythrocyte decreased survival, auto‐immune hemolytic anaemia, abnormal iron reutilization, decreased erythropoietin production, and high levels of IL6 are possible contributors 51‐53 . The possible impact of anaemia on survival may come from the presence of chronic hypoxia leading to the selection of lymphoid cells which are more resistant to treatment 54 .…”

Case series: Heinz body formation in 13 multimorbid dogs following metamizole administration

“…Studies have shown that diabetic ketoacidosis can cause oxidative damage to erythrocytes in cats and dogs ( 11 , 12 , 20 , 21 ). Additionally, some dogs in the present case series had inflammatory diseases (pancreatitis [Dog 3, Dog 4, and Dog 11] and pyometra [Dog 10]), which could contribute to oxidative damage, and 1 dog (Dog 4) had lymphoma, which could also cause oxidative damage ( 20 , 21 , 31 ). Since there was no correlation between the number of HBs and the dose of metamizole and because many dogs in this case series had multiple diseases/problems, the oxidative damage to erythrocytes could have been multifactorial and not only related to oxidative damage secondary to metamizole administration, at least in some dogs.…”

Red blood cells morphology and morphometry in adult, senior, and geriatricians dogs by optical and scanning electron microscopy

“…Codocytes are also known as target cells. They occur in association with liver damage, kidney disease, iron deficiency anemia, disorders of the bile ducts, and spleen ( 37 , 52 , 53 ). Spherocytes, which are small cells without a central pallor, are characteristic of hereditary spherocytosis and autoimmune hemolytic anemia ( 54 , 55 ).…”