Stomatocytosis

Hereditary stomatocytosis is an autosomal dominant, congenital hemolytic form of anemia. Stomatocytosis resembles human overhydrated hereditary stomatocytosis (OHSt), a disease characterised by a reduced or absent stomatin, integral membrane protein found in the red cell membrane. The red cells retain increased amount of water; consequently the amount of hemoglobin decreases. The red cells have an elevated intracellular sodium concentration and a decreased glutathione levels. Glutathione is a compound whose deficiency is commonly associated with hemolytic anemia.

Breeds at Risk

Hereditary canine stomatocytosis has been described in purebred Alaskan Malamutes (with short limb dwarfism and chondrodysplasia), Drentse Patrijshonds (Dutch Patridge Dogs), and Miniature Schnauzer, and Pomeranian. The dwarfism and anemia in Alaskan Malamutes are believed to be a result of one defective gene.

The disease in Dutch Patridge Dogs has been termed familial stomatocytosis-hypertrophic gastritis. Afffected animals have retarded growth, diarrhea, increased urination, thirst, poor movement coordination and occasional limb paralysis. Progressive deterioration usually leads to euthanasia while the dogs are still young. Most dogs die from disease complications such as liver failure, hypertrophic gastritis (inflammation of the stomach), renal cysts and neurological diseases.

References

1. Nemi C. Jain. Essentials of Veterinary Hematology
2. Bernard F. Feldman, Joseph G. Zinkl, Nemi Chand Jain. Schalm's Veterinary Hematology
3. Thomas Carlyle Jones, Ronald Duncan Hunt, Norval W. King. Veterinary Pathology

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