A retrospective study of the incidence and the classification of bone marrow disorders in the dog at a veterinary teaching hospital (1996-2004).

BACKGROUND

An 8-year retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence and the classification of canine bone marrow disorders in a clinical pathology service at a university referral hospital.

ANIMALS

Dogs evaluated for bone marrow disorders at a veterinary teaching hospital.

HYPOTHESIS

A better understanding of the spectrum and the prevalence of canine bone marrow disorders can be achieved with a multiyear retrospective study.

METHODS

Bone marrow aspirate smears, core biopsy specimens, and case records from 717 dogs were reviewed.

RESULTS

Bone marrow specimens were first categorized based on the presence or the absence of a primary bone marrow disorder. Nondysplastic and nonmalignant pathologic changes were placed into 14 subcategories. Frequently observed pathologic disorders included nonregenerative immune-mediated anemia, pure red cell aplasia, bone marrow necrosis, myelofibrosis, and hemophagocytic syndrome. Dysmyelopoiesis (n = 61) was subcategorized into myelodysplastic syndromes (n = 27), and congenital (n = 1) and secondary (n = 33) dysmyelopoiesis. One hundred twenty-six cases of neoplasia were divided into acute leukemia (n = 46), chronic leukemia (n = 7), stage 5 malignant lymphoma (n = 28), multiple myeloma (n = 25), malignant histiocytosis (n = 11), metastatic mast-cell tumor (n = 3), sarcoma (n = 5), and carcinoma (n = 1).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

This study provides a general indication of the spectrum and the prevalence of canine bone marrow disorders at a referral center in North America.