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HERO ID
6408164
Reference Type
Journal Article
Title
Relationship between cobalamin and folate deficiencies and anemia in dogs
Author(s)
Stanley, E; Appleman, E; Schlag, A; Siegel, A
Year
2019
Is Peer Reviewed?
1
Journal
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine
ISSN:
0891-6640
Volume
33
Issue
1
Page Numbers
106-113
Language
English
PMID
30499147
DOI
10.1111/jvim.15348
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.
Keywords
; anemia; blood serum; dogs; erythrocytes; folic acid; humans; vitamin B deficiency; vitamin B12/
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