Anemia in Dogs with Acute Kidney Injury

Abstract

Anemia is a well-known complication in CKD dogs, but its frequency in AKI dogs has been poorly investigated. The aim of the present study was to retrospectively evaluate frequency, degree of severity, and regeneration rate of anemia in relation to IRIS grade, etiology, therapy, and outcome. Medical records of dogs (2017–2023) with historical, laboratory, and ultrasound findings consistent with AKI were retrospectively reviewed. According to etiology, AKI was classified as ischemic/inflammatory (IS), infectious (INF), nephrotoxic (NEP), obstructive (OBS), and unknown (UK). AKI dogs were also classified according to therapeutical management (medical vs. hemodialysis), survival to discharge (survivors vs. non-survivors). Anemia was defined as HCT 73 fL). Anemia was considered hypochromic (MCHC38 g/dL). Regeneration rate was considered absent (RET ≤ 60,000/μL), mild 61,000–150,000/μL), and moderate (>150,000/μL). A total of 120 AKI dogs were included in the study, and anemia was found in 86/120 dogs (72%). The severity of anemia was mild in 32/86 dogs (37%), moderate in 40/86 dogs (47%), severe in 11/86 dogs (13%), and very severe in 3/86 (3%). Anemia was normochromic in 71/86 dogs (83%), hyperchromic in 12/86 dogs (14%), and hypochromic in 3/86 dogs (3%). Normocytic anemia was present in 56/86 dogs (65%), microcytic anemia in 27/86 dogs (31%), and macrocytic anemia in 3/86 dogs (4%). Non-regenerative anemia was found in 76/86 dogs (88%). The frequency of anemia increased significantly (p p < 0.0001) in all IRIS grades. In our population of AKI dogs, anemia was a very frequent finding, in agreement with current findings in human nephrology.

Keywords

• anemia
• AKI
• dog
• IRIS grades