Neutropenia in Dogs
Neutropenia in dogs refers to a condition where the white blood cells called neutrophils drop to very low levels, leaving the dog vulnerable to various infections and illnesses. Several factors can cause this, including genetic predisposition, cancer, and specific medications. While significant progress has been made in understanding the genetic basis of congenital neutropenia syndromes, acquired forms of neutropenia remain less understood.
This condition, which affects the stem cells in the bone marrow, is sometimes referred to as “gray collie disease” due to its occurrence in collies. Collies affected by this genetic disorder may exhibit white-cell deficiency, often evidenced by their pink noses instead of the typical black. Affected puppies in collie litters are typically smaller and weaker, displaying symptoms like fever, diarrhea, and joint pain. They may experience fluctuating white cell counts, with periods of dramatically low counts followed by rebounds. Unfortunately, many affected puppies do not survive beyond the first few weeks.
Belgian Tervurens also inherit this condition, although it tends to be less severe compared to collies. Typically, Tervurens show normal results on bone marrow tests, and treatment is only necessary if the dog’s health is compromised.
Additionally, some giant schnauzers inherit neutropenia due to a genetic factor that affects their ability to absorb vitamin B12, resulting in a deficiency of neutrophils.
Symptoms and Types
- Frequent occurrences of infections
- Experiencing unexplained fever, diarrhea, joint pain, etc.
- Newborn puppies display small size and illness, characterized by fever, diarrhea, joint pain, etc. In collies, their coat color appears diluted, and their noses are gray instead of black like the other puppies.
Causes
- Genetic susceptibility
- Infectious agents such as parvoviruses and tick-transmitted organisms
- Substances like chemotherapy drugs, cephalosporins, estrogen, ingestion of Noxzema, and others
- Deficiency of trophic factors, including inherited malabsorption of vitamin B12 observed in giant schnauzers
Diagnosis
Identification of the breed typically serves as the primary indicator for diagnosing neutropenia. If the breed falls within categories known for genetic predisposition, your veterinarian will assess for the disorder. Providing a comprehensive drug history for your dog, along with potential exposure to toxins like Noxzema and radiation, is essential. Blood tests will be conducted to evaluate the blood count. For collies experiencing cycling deficiencies, periodic tests are necessary. Serological tests will also be performed to assess potential tick-borne infections, followed by X-rays and ultrasound scans to pinpoint infection sites.
Bone marrow biopsy may be conducted to assess neutrophil production levels and rule out other diseases. In the case of giant schnauzers, vitamin B12 supplementation may be initiated on a trial basis. If your dog presents with a fever, culture samples from the infection site or blood cultures may be taken to identify the infecting agent.
Treatment
Initial treatment prioritizes addressing any secondary infections. In cases without fever, antibiotics will be recommended. However, if the dog presents with a fever, treatment will be more intensive. Hospitalization is likely, with antibiotics administered intravenously. In instances of acute anemia, a transfusion may also be deemed necessary.
Living and Management
Regular blood tests will be necessary, and it’s important to remain vigilant for any signs of infection, such as fever.