Hereditary nonspherocytic hemolytic anemia in beagles

Three Beagles with chronic anemia and reticulocytosis were studied. The dogs originated from a large breeding colony and appeared clinically normal with the exception of splenomegaly. The PCV ranged from 30 to 39% (normal, 46 to 56%), with reticulocyte indices of 2.3 to 9.9. Red blood cells were morphologically normal, and examination of marrow aspirates revealed erythroid hyperplasia. Shortened chromium-51 RBC life-spans (7.2 to 15.4 days in anemic dogs; 22.2 to 25.2 days in control dogs) documented a hemolytic anemia. Acquired causes of hemolytic anemia were ruled out. Red blood cells had normal glycolytic enzyme activities, no evidence of unstable or abnormal hemoglobin, and had altered osmotic fragility curves. The breeding of 2 anemic dogs resulted in offspring with anemia and reticulocytosis. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed no abnormalities in RBC membrane cytoskeletal proteins in all anemic adult dogs and in 3 offspring.