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Abstract Background Iron-limited erythropoiesis (ILE) is a common condition in dogs and cats, which can lead to anemia; therefore, monitoring with erythrocyte and reticulocyte indices is recommended. Objectives To compare the values of mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean reticulocyte volume (MCVr), and reticulocyte hemoglobin content (CHr) in dogs and cats with ILE. Methods Systemative review and meta-analysis. We conducted a systematic search using PRISMA criteria in PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar up to 2024. It focused on erythrocyte and reticulocyte indices, such as MCV, MCVr, and CHr, in dogs and cats with ILE. Results This meta-analysis included eight articles. For dogs, the random effect sizes were 2.86 (0.55–5.18) for MCV, 2.18 (0.87–3.58) for MCVr, and 4.73 (1.37–8.08) for CHr. For cats, the effect sizes were 0.85 (0.19–1.5) for MCV, 3.45 (0.49–6.41) for MCVr, and 2.51 (0.29–4.74) for CHr. The analysis revealed I2 values of 97%, 94.3%, and 98.2% in dogs, and 63.1%, 93%, and 95.1% in cats, for MCV, MCVr, and CHr, respectively. The overall random effects were 1.98 for MCV, 2.54 for MCVr, and 3.87 for CHr. Conclusion and Clinical Importance The findings revealed significant differences in reticulocyte indices, MCVr in cats, and CHr in dogs between the ILE-affected and the healthy groups. Considerable variability among studies indicates caution in generalizing findings and makes conclusions less definitive.

Background Clinical monitoring is essential for disease prevention, both in an individual animal and even more in a captive animal population, where the susceptibility of different animal species in the same environment can lead to the onset of various pathologies. Periodic clinical monitoring must necessarily include an assessment of clinical status through a comprehensive physical examination, including body weight assessment and laboratory tests including fecal, urinary, and blood tests. The aim of this study was to monitor the health of a group of 45 lemurs ( Lemur catta and Varecia variegata ) in a zoo, focusing in particular on hematological and biochemical-clinical parameters obtained from blood samples collected annually over a three-year period. The hematological parameters measured were erythrocytes, packed cell volume, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, red blood cell distribution width, leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, monocytes, basophils, platelets, and mean platelet volume. The biochemical parameters measured were alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, glucose, amylase, lipase, cholesterol, albumin, globulin, A/G ratio, calcium, inorganic phosphate, total protein, creatinine, and urea. Results Observed parameters highlighted some differences between the two species over time and in relation to age. For example, red blood cell count consistently showed higher values ​​in V. variegata compared to L. catta . In Lemur catta , an increase in erythrocyte parameters, red blood cell distribution width and lipase was observed, compared to a decrease in mean corpuscular hemoglobin and bilirubin. Our results reveal a variation in hematological parameters in conjunction with the second blood sample with a greater increase in parameters in Varecia variegata than in Lemur catta . Conclusions Results from this study partially disagree with those obtained in other lemur species kept in captivity and elsewhere. This would suggest that the management conditions, over three years, of the ring-tailed lemur and the variegated ruffed lemur at the zoo under study are particularly favorable, respecting the welfare of these animals.

We aimed to evaluate the red blood cell distribution width-to-platelet ratio (RDW/PLT) with other complete blood cell count (CBC) indices and their correlations with serum proinflammatory cytokines, acute phase proteins (APPs), and antioxidant biomarkers in dogs at different stages of heart failure (HF). A total of 29 dogs were divided into four groups according to the ACVIM Consensus Statement: stage-A (healthy/controls, n = 8), stage-B2 (n = 6), stage-C (n = 10), and stage-D (n = 5). Seventeen CBC indices were calculated and correlated with the measurements of inflammatory, APPs, and antioxidant biomarkers, as well as selected echocardiographic variables in all dogs. At stage-C, CBC indices were evaluated 14 days after the treatment. Statistically significant changes were observed only for RDW/PLT and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) between groups. NLR increased, but RDW/PLT deceased in dogs with HF, compared to controls (P < 0.05). There were no statistically differences between pre- and post-treatment CBC indices. There were significantly positive and negative correlations between the CBC indices, serum parameters and selected echocardiographic variables in dogs with HF(P < 0.05). ROC analysis showed the best sensitivity (57% and 68%) and specificity (100% and 57%) for NLR > 5.8 and RDW/PLT ≤ 0.057 for predicting the severity of HF, respectively. Results showed that NLR and RDW/PLT may have potential for monitoring severity of the disease and the effect of treatment in dogs with HF. Imbalances between indices of circulating blood cells can contribute to immunoinflammatory and antioxidant responses in pathogenesis of canine HF, which may provide us alternative targets to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in veterinary medicine.

Background Feeding milk substitutes with low iron content or whole milk without iron supplementation is considered a major factor in developing iron-deficiency anemia in neonatal dairy calves. Young calves are often supplemented with iron dextran injections on the first day of life to prevent anemia. However, the effects of preventive treatment and the presence of disease on serum iron (Fe) concentrations, serum ferritin levels, and hematological blood parameters during the early neonatal stages have not been examined in detail. Therefore, we examined and evaluated the effects of iron dextran injections and health status on the development of hematocrit (Ht), red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin concentration (Hb), erythrocyte indices (mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration), Fe, and serum ferritin concentrations in dairy calves within the first 10 days of life. The suitability of serum ferritin as a reliable indicator of anemia in very young calves was evaluated by correlating ferritin concentrations with known laboratory diagnostic parameters of anemia. Results Iron supplementation significantly increased Fe levels ( P  = 0.048) but did not affect serum ferritin levels in neonatal calves. Fe concentrations were significantly lower in diseased than healthy calves ( P  = 0.0417). Iron supplementation significantly affected the health status, as observed in Ht (P treat =0.0057; P health =0.0097), RBC (P treat =0.0342; P health =0.0243), and Hb (P treat =0.0170; P health =0.0168). Serum ferritin levels did not significantly correlate with Fe levels. Both groups showed marked differences in ferritin levels, with the highest levels measured on day 2. Fe concentrations showed weak negative correlations with Hb and Ht levels on day 3 (ρ=-0.45; P  = 0.0034 and ρ=-0.045; P  = 0.0032, respectively). RBC count showed strong positive correlations with Hb and Ht levels (ρ = 0.91 and ρ = 0.93; P  < 0.001). Conclusion Iron dextran injections increased Fe concentrations but reduced Ht level, RBC count, and Hb level. The presence of diseases led to a reduction in Fe and higher values of Ht, RBC, and Hb in moderate disease than in severe disease. Due to physiological fluctuations during the first 3 days of life, serum ferritin level seems unuseful for evaluating iron storage before day 4 of life.

Abstract Background Reticulocyte indices have been suggested as alternatives to transferrin saturation (TSAT) for iron status assessment in humans and dogs but they have not been evaluated thoroughly in cats. Objectives To assess the value of the reticulocyte indices for the diagnosis of iron deficiency in cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and chronic hematuria associated with subcutaneous ureteral bypasses (SUBs). Animals Sixty-four cats: 16 healthy, 14 CKD without SUB, and 34 CKD with SUB. Methods Prospective observational cross-sectional study of cats presented for routine nephrology visits. Primary outcomes included assessment of the diagnostic values of erythrocyte indices (mean corpuscular volume, hemoglobin, and hemoglobin concentration: MCV, MCH, and MCHC) and reticulocyte indices (mean corpuscular volume, MCVr; corpuscular hemoglobin, CHr), using TSAT as reference. Results Iron deficiency was diagnosed in 9/64 cats (14%). A receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis yielded a moderate discriminatory value for CHr in this diagnosis: area under the curve [AUC] = .75 (95% confidence interval, 0.48-0.89); P = .006; sensitivity 67%, specificity 82% for a cutoff of 15.9 pg. This compared favorably to MCVr (AUC = .63; P = .29), MCV (AUC = .58; P = .45), MCH (AUC = .64; P = .19), and MCHC (AUC = .7; P = .03). Conclusion and Clinical Importance CHr added moderate value to the diagnosis of iron deficiency in cats with CKD.

Background Iron-deficiency is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in non-communicable diseases. However, iron parameters are rarely assessed in dogs. Here, we aimed to assess and correlate iron parameters in dogs suffering from Canine Atopic Dermatitis (CAD) compared to non-atopic, healthy dogs. Results For this retrospective study, blood values and sera of 34 dogs with confirmed CAD were compared with 94 healthy non-atopic dogs. In our cohort, dogs with CAD had significantly lower mean corpuscular volume (MCV, ) mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) but higher white blood cell counts due to increased levels of circulating neutrophils and monocytes. CAD patients also had elevated total protein and c-reactive protein (CRP), but lower albumin levels compared to our healthy control dogs, indicated low-grade inflammation in the CAD cohort. Spearman correlations associated negatively clinical symptom (CADESI-4/PVAS) with MCV; ceruloplasmin and hepcidin, but positively with serum iron. Only in the CAD-cohort, MCV, CRP and albumin-levels negatively affected serum iron-levels and were positively associated with ceruloplasmin. Linear regression analysis revealed that serum iron-levels in CAD subjects, were positively dependent on hematocrit (packed cell volume, PCV) and albumin, and negatively dependent with white blood cells and neutrophils numbers. In contrast, in the healthy cohort, hepcidin was the sole factor associated with serum iron. Conclusions A decreased iron status was associated with a higher symptom burden. Iron homeostasis differed markedly in healthy and atopic dermatitis dogs. CAD patients had depleted iron-stores and presented themselves with subclinical inflammation.

BACKGROUND: Pericardial effusion cytology is believed by many to be of limited value, yet few studies have evaluated its diagnostic utility. OBJECTIVES: To determine the diagnostic utility of cytologic analysis of pericardial effusion in dogs and to determine if consideration of additional data could improve the diagnostic yield. ANIMALS: Two hundred and fifty‐nine dogs with cytologic analysis of pericardial effusion performed between April 1990 and June 2012. METHODS: Electronic medical records from a university teaching hospital were retrospectively reviewed; signalment, complete blood count, serum biochemistry, cytologic analysis of pericardial effusion, and echocardiographic data were recorded. Cytology was classified as diagnostic (infectious or neoplastic) or nondiagnostic (hemorrhagic or other) and groups were compared with multiple Student's t‐tests. RESULTS: Cytology was grouped as nondiagnostic (92.3%) or diagnostic (7.7%) and characterized as hemorrhagic (90%), neoplastic (4.6%), infectious (3.1%), or other (2.3%). Overall cytologic analysis of pericardial effusion diagnostic utility was 7.7% and increased to 20.3% if the effusion hematocrit (HCT) <10%; echocardiographic evidence of a mass did not result in a significant increase in the diagnostic utility. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The diagnostic utility of cytologic analysis of canine pericardial effusion is variable depending on the underlying etiology. In this group of dogs, the diagnostic yield of cytologic analysis was greater for pericardial effusion samples in which the HCT was less than 10%.

Background Red blood cell (RBC) indices provide information on the size and haemoglobin content of erythrocytes. The RBC distribution width (RDW) is an index of size variability of the circulating RBC population. The correlation between various diseases and RDW in dogs has been demonstrated. Some studies have evaluated RDW in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD), and conflicting results have been reported. Objectives We aimed to evaluate the association between RBC indices, complete blood cell counts (CBC), and serum biochemical and echocardiographic variables in small‐breed dogs with MMVD. Methods RBC indices, CBC, and serum biochemical and echocardiographic variables were retrospectively investigated in 102 client‐owned dogs with MMVD at various disease stages. Results RBC indices were not statistically significant among groups (control group, compensated group, decompensated group). RDW had a significant positive correlation with haematocrit (Hct) (correlation coefficient, 0.452) and a negative correlation with MCH (correlation coefficient, −0.498) and MCV (correlation coefficient, −0.357). The end‐diastolic volume index, fractional shortening (%), and left atrial‐anteroposterior diameter normalised for body weight were echocardiographic variables that affected MMVD severity. Conclusions We observed no correlation between RBC indices and MMVD. However, conflicting results have been reported in several other studies; thus, further studies should be considered. We aimed to evaluate the association between RBC indices, complete blood cell counts (CBC), and serum biochemical and echocardiographic variables in small‐breed dogs with MMVD. We observed no correlation between RBC indices and MMVD. However, conflicting results have been reported in several other studies; thus, further studies should be considered.

Abstract Background Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is a quantitative measurement of anisocytosis. RDW has prognostic value in humans with different cardiovascular and systemic disorders, but few studies have investigated this biomarker in dogs. Objectives To compare the RDW in dogs with precapillary and postcapillary pulmonary hypertension (PH) and a control population of dogs and to correlate RDW with demographic, echocardiographic, and laboratory variables. Animals One hundred and twenty-seven client-owned dogs including 19 healthy dogs, 82 dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (50 dogs without PH and 32 dogs with postcapillary PH), and 26 dogs with precapillary PH. Methods Prospective study. Dogs were allocated to groups according to clinical and echocardiographic evaluation. RDW and selected laboratory and echocardiographic variables were compared among dog groups. Associations between RDW and demographic, laboratory, and echocardiographic variables were analyzed using correlation and multiple regression analysis. Results Median RDW in dogs with precapillary PH (13.8%, interquartile range 13.2–14.9%) and postcapillary PH (13.7, 13.2–14.7%) was significantly increased compared to healthy dogs (13.3, 12.3–13.7%; P < .05 for both comparisons), but only dogs with severe PH had significantly increased RDW compared to dogs without PH (P < .05). Peak tricuspid regurgitation pressure gradient was significantly associated with increased RDW (rho = 0.263, P = .007). Serum urea concentration, hematocrit, age, and white blood cell number were significantly associated with RDW in the multivariate analysis. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Underlying pathophysiologic processes associated with PH instead of severity of PH are likely responsible for increased RDW in dogs with PH.

Serum hypertonicity may develop during diabetes mellitus due to hyperglycemia and other biochemical changes. Hypertonicity may produce detrimental cellular and systemic effects and has been identified as a serum marker for some clinical disorders. In non-diabetic dogs, the mean cell volume difference, a novel erythrocyte measure, is increased by serum hypertonicity. However, it is not known whether hyperglycemic hypertonicity produces a similar change. The hypothesis that the mean cell volume difference could detect serum hypertonicity in diabetes was investigated in a group of thirty-two dogs with naturally-occurring diabetes mellitus that were prospectively recruited over a 1-year period from the outpatient population of a veterinary teaching hospital. The effect of hyperglycemia on the mean cell volume difference and the ability of the mean cell volume difference to predict serum hypertonicity were examined. Serum hyperosmolality and hypertonicity due to hyperglycemia was present in 91% and 94% of dogs, respectively. Hyperglycemia was the principal cause identified for serum hypertonicity and hyperosmolality. Using a cut-off value of ≥ 3 μm3 for the mean cell volume difference, serum hypertonicity ≥ 320 mmol/kg was identified with 79% sensitivity and 61% specificity. The dMCV correlated with changes in serum glucose, tonicity, and measured osmolality. Dogs with a mean cell volume difference ≥ 3 μm3 were at risk for serum tonicity ≥ 320 mmol/kg (risk ratio = 2.2) and serum glucose ≥ 13.9 mmol/L (risk ratio = 2.3). In conclusion, the mean cell volume difference is a useful surrogate marker for detecting serum hypertonicity in diabetic dogs and elevated mean cell volume difference is associated with increased risks for clinically relevant serum hypertonicity and hyperglycemia.