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Updated: Mar 16, 2026
A Simple Fluorescence Assay for Quantification of Canine Neutrophil Extracellular Trap Release
Published on: November 21, 2016
[Neutropenia in dogs: etiology and prognostic factors]
Andrea M Cook1, Natali Bauer, Reto Neiger
1Andrea Manuela Cook, Berrenrather Straße 1a, 50169 Kerpen,
Objective:
The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate frequency, prognostic factors, and differences for various etiologies of neutropenia in dogs.
Material And Methods:
A total of 391 dogs with neutrophil counts < 2.78 x 109/l (January 2008 to December 2012) were included and, depending on the etiology of neutropenia, assigned to seven diagnostic groups: nonbacterial infectious disease, increased demand due to marked inflammation, drug-associated, bone-marrow diseases, immune-mediated, physiologic, miscellaneous. Absolute neutrophil counts, evidence of neutrophil toxicity or left shift, case history, rectal temperature, hospitalization, and survival were compared among groups.
Results:
Increased demand due to marked inflammation (90/391, 23%) and nonbacterial infectious disease (70/391, 18%) were the most common causes for neutropenia, followed by drug-associated neutropenia (43/391, 11%) and bone-marrow disease (32/391, 8%). Immune-mediated and physiologic neutropenia (both 16/391, 4%) were uncommon. Almost one third (124/391, 32%) of dogs were assigned to the miscellaneous group. Absolute neutrophil counts were significantly higher (p < 0.01) in dogs of the physiologic and miscellaneous groups than in the other groups. Dogs with immune-mediated neutropenia or nonbacterial infectious disease displayed significantly lower absolute neutrophil counts than dogs with neutropenia due to an increased demand (p < 0.001) and were most commonly referred with a history of fever (11/16, 69%) or gastrointestinal signs (52/70, 74%), respectively. Neutrophil toxicity and left shift were most commonly associated with an increased demand due to marked inflammation (60/90 and 25/90, 67% and 28%, respectively) and the mortality rate was highest in this group (32/90, 36%).
Conclusion:
Neutrophil toxicity and left shift are associated with an increased demand due to marked inflammation and may indicate a poor prognosis. The lower the absolute neutrophil count, the greater the probability of an immune-mediated neutropenia.
Clinical Relevance:
Neutropenia should be assessed in context with case history, clinical examination, and neutrophil morphology.
