Familial nonspherocytic hemolytic anemia in poodles

Nonspherocytic hemolytic anemia, characterized by marked reticulocytosis, hepatosplenomegaly, hemosiderosis of reticuloendothelial organs and bone marrow myelofibrosis, and osteosclerosis, was diagnosed in 5 related Poodles. The unremitting anemia was clinically evident by 1 year of age, and was fatal as early as 3 years of age. Despite intense diagnostic endeavors including RBC fragility studies, RBC enzyme assays, and hemoglobin electrophoresis, the cause of this nonspherocytic hemolytic anemia remains to be determined.