Reticulocytosis in non-anaemic cats and dogs

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Hematology
• Comparative Pathology
• Animal Internal Medicine

Background:

• Reticulocytosis, an increase in immature red blood cells, typically accompanies anemia.
• The occurrence of reticulocytosis without anemia in domestic animals is less understood.
• Evaluating this hematological finding is crucial for diagnosing underlying conditions in cats and dogs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of reticulocytosis without anemia in feline and canine blood samples.
• To identify the common causes (aetiology) of reticulocytosis without anemia in these species.
• To report the mortality rate associated with reticulocytosis without anemia in affected cats and dogs.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective multicenter study analyzed hematological data from 3956 cats and 11,087 dogs.
• Blood samples collected between 2012 and 2014 from seven German veterinary clinics were examined.
• Clinical data were reviewed to classify animals and identify underlying diseases and treatments.

Main Results:

• Reticulocytosis without anemia was found in 3.1% of cats and 4.4% of dogs.
• The majority of affected animals were diagnosed with underlying diseases, including blood loss, cardiac/respiratory, gastrointestinal, inflammatory disorders, and cancer.
• Mortality rates were substantial: 37.8% in cats and 29.7% in dogs.

Conclusions:

• Reticulocytosis without anemia is an uncommon finding, observed more frequently in dogs than cats.
• This hematological finding is predominantly associated with significant underlying diseases in both species.
• The condition carries a considerable mortality risk, impacting approximately one-third of affected animals.