Anaemia and leucocytosis in one hundred and twelve dogs with pyometra

Abstract

ABSTRACT In a group of 112 dogs with pyometra, 31 per cent showed a normal red blood cell picture, 57 per cent non‐regenerative normocytic normochromic anaemia and 12 per cent non‐regenerative microcytic hypochromic anaemia. The non‐regenerative anaemia was absent or moderate at lower white blood cell levels and markedly present at high to extreme white blood cell counts. The degree of non‐regenerative anaemia was positively correlated with the degree of leucocytosis, neutrophilia, left shift and monocytosis. The more pronounced non‐regenerative microcytic hypochromic anaemia, indicating a more severe chronic blood loss, was usually encountered at extremely high white blood cell levels. The significance of these observations is discussed.