Metabolic findings in the erythrocytes of cardiopathic and anaemic dogs.

Summary Few data are available on the activities of canine erythrocyte enzymes and on 2,3 diphosphoglycerate (2,3DPG) concentrations in pathological conditions other than heritable erythrocyte defects. Because some diseases might affect erythrocyte metabolism and oxygen transport, we evaluated these parameters in 10 healthy dogs and in dogs with symptomless dirofilariosis ( n =9), mild ( n =13) and severe ( n =8) cardiac failure, and haemolytic anaemia ( n =8). To evaluate possible membrane damage, the osmotic fragility of the red cells was measured. No haematological abnormalities were found in the dogs with mild cardiopathy or in those with symptomless dirofilariosis. Severe anaemia and neutrophilic leucocytosis were found in the dogs with haemolytic anaemia and, to a lesser degree, in those with severe heart failure. In dogs with these two diseases, elevated values obtained were, respectively: pyruvate kinase (PK) 17·5±10·3 U/g haemoglobin (Hb) ( P P P P P