title: Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Erythrocytosis in a Dog: A Case Report.
abstract: 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 (15 mg/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 15 mg/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.
authors.affiliation: State University of Londrina-UEL, Londrina, PR, Brazil. Electronic address: camila_diogo@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Camila Cardoso
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Diogo
authors.affiliation: State University of Londrina-UEL, Londrina, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Andrei Kelliton
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Fabretti
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Lavras-UFLA, Lavras, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: José Arthur de Abreu
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Camassa
authors.affiliation: Federal Rural University of Pernambuco-UFRPE, Recife, PE, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marília de Albuquerque
authors.initials: Mde A
authors.lastname: Bonelli
authors.affiliation: State University of Londrina-UEL, Londrina, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mônica Vicky Bahr
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Arias
authors.affiliation: State University of Londrina-UEL, Londrina, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Patrícia Mendes
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Pereira
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D037901:Euthanasia, Animal; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005440:Fluid Therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D006918:Hydroxyurea / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D018962:Phlebotomy / Q000662:veterinary; D011087:Polycythemia Vera / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D012008:Recurrence
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D006918:Hydroxyurea
keywords: canine; hydroxyurea; polycythemia vera