Hereditary and Acquired Methemoglobinemia in Dogs and Cats

摘要

Methemoglobin forms when hemoglobin iron is oxidized from ferrous iron (Fe2+) to ferric iron (Fe3+) which is incapable of binding Oz- Further, 1 ferriheme group in the hemoglobin tetramer causes a left shift of the Cvhemoglobin dissociation curve decreasing peripheral tissue availability of oxygen.1 Under normal conditions in dogs and cats, approximately 3% of ferrous hemoglobin is oxidized to methemoglobin on a daily basis due to exposure to endogenous reactive oxygen/nitrogen species formed as products of normal cellular metabolism.