Open AccessMicrocytosis and Iron Status in Dogs With Surgically Induced Portosystemic Shunts
Author(s) -
Laflamme Dorothy P.,
Mahaffey Edward A.,
Allen Sheila W.,
Twedt David C.,
Prasse Keith W.,
Huber Thomas L.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
journal of veterinary internal medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.356
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1939-1676
pISSN - 0891-6640
DOI - 10.1111/j.1939-1676.1994.tb03218.x
Subject(s) - microcytosis , medicine , hematocrit , serum iron , gastroenterology , hemoglobin , iron deficiency , portosystemic shunt , population , pathology , endocrinology , anemia , portal hypertension , cirrhosis , environmental health
Microcytosis is common in dogs with congenital portosystemic shunts (PSS) and acquired liver disease. The objective of this study was to determine if microcytosis could be induced in normal dogs by surgical creation of PSS, and to characterize the changes in hematology and iron status. Hematocrit, mean cell volume, mean cell hemoglobin, and mean cell hemoglobin concentration decreased linearly from 45.5%. 69.1 fL, 22.8 g/dL and 33.1% to 39.5%. 55.9 fL, 17.8 g/dL and 31.9%. respectively, 18 weeks after creation of PSS. The erythrocyte count did not change, but red cell distribution widths indicated a shift to a heterogenous population with decreased volume. Mean cell volume and mean cell hemoglobin decreased rapidly after induction of PSS and were significantly ( P < .05) different from presurgery values within 2 weeks. Serum iron and copper concentrations and total iron binding capacity were decreased in dogs with PSS. Liver iron concentration doubled after creation of PSS, with the majority of stainable iron located in Kupffer cells. The changes in erythrocyte indices and measures of iron status in dogs with surgically induced PSS were similar to those in dogs with congenital PSS. Microcytosis developed rapidly in dogs after induction of PSS. These results indicate that iron deficiency was not the cause of microcytosis in these dogs.