Haematology and clinical chemistry of english springer spaniel dogs with phosphofructokinase deficiency

Abstract

Haematologic and serum clinical chemical values were compared from five to nine phosphofructokinase (PFK)-deficient (when not in haemolytic crisis) and five normal adult English springer spaniel dogs. Affected dogs had macrocytic hypochromic compensated haemolytic anaemias (haematocrit 0.35 ± 0.021/l, mean ± standard deviation), with markedly increased absolute reticulocyte counts of 859 ± 320 × 109/l (normal control dogs, 29 ± 10 × 109/l). Bone marrow evaluation of affected dogs revealed erythroid hyperplasia with normal or increased amounts of stainable iron, as would be expected in response to a haemolytic anaemia. Although the platelet count was not different from that of normal control dogs, the mean platelet volume was nearly 50% higher in affected dogs. Absolute numbers of neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes were higher in affected dogs (10.7 ± 1.3, 4.4 ± 1.2 and 1.4 ± 0.5 × 109/l, respectively) than in normal control dogs (6.8 ± 1.4, 3.0 ± 0.3 and 0.5 ± 0.2 × 109/l, respectively). Affected dogs also had higher serum iron (58 ± 25 μmol/l) and ferritin (1081 ± 172 μg/l) concentrations than normal control dogs (24 ± 5 μmol/l and 512 ± 222 μg/l, respectively), providing evidence for increased body iron stores. Serum haptoglobin was very low in most affected dogs, indicating that some degree of intravascular haemolysis occurs even when haemoglobinuria is not observed. Serum chemical analysis revealed slightly higher potassium, magnesium, and calcium values in affected dogs compared to normal dogs. Consistent with the presence of a haemolytic anaemia, serum bilirubin from affected dogs was increased in most affected dogs (14 ± 8 μmol/l compared to 2 ± 1 μmol/l in normal control dogs). Serum urea was also higher (10.9 ± 2.8 v 6.2 ± 1.3 mmol/l), but creatinine was lower (53 ± 8 v 85 ± 12 μmol/l) in affected dogs, compared to normal control dogs. Serum creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase from affected dogs were at least double that of normal control dogs. Serum protein and total globulins were slightly higher, but albumin was slightly lower in affected compared to normal control dogs. © 1994 Springer-Verlag London Limited.