Neutropenia in dogs and cats: etiopathogenesis, clinical symptoms and methods of treatment, with filgrastim as an option

摘要

Disturbances in granulocyte count can occur in dogs and cats as the result of congenital or acquired (secondary) diseases. Neutropenia and agranulocytosis observed in peripheral blood tests (hemogram) are most often the result of bone marrow defects. Generally considered, pathomechanisms are: damaged stem cells of the myeloid series, granulopoesis disorders and hypersequestration of mature neutrocytes. The causes of those disorders are: vitamin deficiency, toxic effect of chemical agents, and myelosupresion due to infectious processes. Neutropenia also can be the result of cytostatic drugs. There is a great risk of infection due to immune deficiency by the significant decrease in the number of neutrocytes. Among the new methods of treatment of neutropenias in dogs and cats are the use of the recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) e.g. Filgrastim (Neupogen) is being suggested, especially in severe neutropenias.