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Evaluation of red blood cell profiles in dogs with heartworm disease
Su-Jung Kim1, Sang-Il Suh1, Changbaig Hyun1
1Changbaig Hyun Animal Special Clinic, The Care Animal Medical Center, 292 Gyeongchun-ro, Guri, Gyeonggi-do, Korea 11930.
Insights
Anemia and anisocytosis are common in dogs with severe heartworm disease and pulmonary hypertension. Monitoring red blood cell profiles, including red blood cell distribution width (RDW), can help track disease progression in canine heartworm disease.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Cardiology
- Canine Internal Medicine
- Parasitology
Background:
- Anemia and anisocytosis are linked to heart disease in dogs.
- Heartworm disease (HWD) is a significant canine health concern.
- Pulmonary hypertension is a serious complication of HWD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the prevalence and correlation of anemia and red blood cell distribution width (RDW) in dogs with heartworm disease (HWD).
- To assess the relationship between RBC profiles, pulmonary hypertension, and HWD severity.
Main Methods:
- Compared red blood cell (RBC) profiles, including RDW, in 20 healthy dogs and 86 dogs with HWD.
- Categorized HWD dogs into groups based on clinical signs and pulmonary hypertension.
- Utilized echocardiography to assess pulmonary hypertension and tricuspid regurgitant gradient (TRG).
Main Results:
- Dogs with severe HWD and pulmonary hypertension (Group 3) showed significantly lower total RBCs (tRBCs), hematocrit (HCT), and hemoglobin (HGB) compared to controls.
- Group 3 dogs exhibited significantly higher RDW than control dogs.
- RDW correlated with other RBC parameters and the presence of pulmonary hypertension.
Conclusions:
- Anemia and anisocytosis are frequent complications in dogs suffering from severe clinical signs and pulmonary hypertension due to HWD.
- Routine monitoring of RBC profiles, including RDW, is recommended for managing canine heartworm disease progression.
Abstract:
Recent studies have found that anemia and anisocytosis are precipitating factors for certain heart diseases in dogs. This study evaluated the prevalence and correlation of anemia and red blood cell distribution width (RDW) in dogs with heartworm disease (HWD). The study population consisted of 20 healthy control dogs and 86 dogs with HWD: 28 dogs with no clinical signs or pulmonary hypertension (Group 1), 42 dogs with mild clinical signs but no pulmonary hypertension (Group 2), and 16 dogs with severe clinical signs and pulmonary hypertension (Group 3). Along with echocardiographic interrogation of pulmonary hypertension, red blood cell (RBC) profiles were evaluated, including RDW. The total number of red blood cells (tRBCs), hematocrit (HCT), and hemoglobin (HGB) concentration was significantly lower in Group 3 dogs compared to control dogs (P < 0.05), while the RDW was significantly higher in Group 3 dogs than in control dogs (P < 0.05). The RDW was closely correlated to other RBC profiles and the presence of pulmonary hypertension (P < 0.05). The severity of tricuspid regurgitant gradient (TRG) was closely correlated with Hb and tRBC (P < 0.05), but not with the RDW and reticulocyte count. This study finding indicated that anemia and anisocytosis are common complications in dogs with severe clinical signs and pulmonary hypertension caused by heartworm disease (HWD). It would therefore be beneficial for clinicians to routinely check red blood cell (RBC) profiles, including RDW, in order to monitor the progression of heartworm disease in dogs.
