Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Erythrocytosis in a Dog: A Case Report

• Published in: Topics in companion animal medicine 2015-06, Vol.30 (2), p.65-67
• Main Authors: Diogo, Camila Cardoso, Fabretti, Andrei Kelliton, Camassa, José Arthur de Abreu, Bonelli, Marília de Albuquerque, Bahr Arias, Mônica Vicky, Pereira, Patrícia Mendes
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents - therapeutic use; Blood; canine; Diagnosis, Differential; Dog Diseases - blood; Dog Diseases - diagnosis; Dog Diseases - therapy; Dogs; Erythrocytes; Euthanasia, Animal; Fatal Outcome; Fluid Therapy - veterinary; hydroxyurea; Hydroxyurea - therapeutic use; Laboratories; Male; Medical diagnosis; Phlebotomy - veterinary; polycythemia vera; Polycythemia Vera - diagnosis; Polycythemia Vera - therapy; Polycythemia Vera - veterinary; Recurrence
• ISSN: 1938-9736; 1946-9837; 1876-7613
• DOI: 10.1053/j.tcam.2015.07.003

Primary erythrocytosis, or polycythemia vera, is a myeloproliferative disease caused by the exaggerated increase of erythroid precursor cells in the bone marrow. We report the case of an 11-year-old male mixed-breed dog that had tachypnea and spastic tetraplegia. There was a significant increase in hematocrit. After phlebotomy and fluid therapy, the dog׳s condition improved. A diagnosis of primary erythrocytosis was supported by serum levels of erythropoietin. The dog responded well to treatment with administration of hydroxyurea (15mg/kg), phlebotomies, and fluid therapy. However, after 18 months, he had an acute recurrence of clinical signs and was euthanized. We observed that long-term maintenance with hydroxyurea at a dosage of 15mg/kg every 48 hours was adequate for managing polycythemia vera, with a survival time of 18 months in the present case. However, longer dose intervals are likely not appropriate. We believe that this may be helpful to other veterinarians facing the same problems in the treatment of polycythemia vera.