Peripheral blood eosinophilia in dogs: Prevalence and associated diseases

Canine eosinophilia has not been evaluated over the last two decades. As in human local differences, changes in the prevalence and associated diseases over time can be expected.

This study aims to determine the prevalence and causes of marked blood eosinophilia in dogs.

Retrospective study. A total of 317 clinical histories of dogs with an eosinophil concentration > 1.5 × 10⁹ /L (marked eosinophilia) between 2013 and 2017 were evaluated. Patients were allocated to 10 groups according to their major clinical findings.

Eosinophilia was present in 1,592 of 10,829 dogs (14.7%); it was mild (0.8-1.49 × 10⁹ /L) in 78.4%, moderate (1.5 - 4.9 × 10⁹ /L) in 20.5% and severe (> 5 × 10⁹ /L) in 1.1% of cases. Rottweilers were overrepresented (16.1%). Of 317 cases with marked eosinophilia, 19.6% had neoplasia, 19.1% gastrointestinal disorders, 13.6% health check, 10.4% endoparasites, 6% respiratory, 5.4% neurologic, 5.4% dermatologic, 4.8% urogenital, 3.2% endocrine disorders and 12.6% miscellaneous. Lymphomas (29%) and mast cell tumours (12.9%) were the most frequent tumours in the neoplasia group. A total of 72.6% of tumour-bearing dogs were older than 8 years, while 63.6% of dogs had endoparasites, and 86% of apparently healthy dogs were younger than 5 years. Eosinophilia was significantly higher in patients with respiratory disorders (p < 0.0146). Leukocytosis was found in 50.2% of cases.

Malignancy was the most common cause of marked blood eosinophilia in older dogs and endoparasitism in younger dogs. Eosinophilia was common in apparently healthy young dogs and may be related to undiagnosed parasitic infestations.