Elective ovariohysterectomy or castration can proceed in shelter dogs despite mild to moderate presurgical leukocytosis

Poyu LaiDepartment of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS

Search for other papers by Poyu Lai in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
 BS
,
Kate S. KuKanichDepartment of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS

Search for other papers by Kate S. KuKanich in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
 DVM, PhD
, and
Nora L. SpringerDepartment of Diagnostic Medicine and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS

Search for other papers by Nora L. Springer in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
 DVM, PhD
View More View Less

Abstract

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether shelter dogs presenting for elective ovariohysterectomy or castration have leukocytosis, whether leukocytes are associated with age and infection, and whether leukocytosis precludes progression to surgery.

ANIMALS

138 dogs (from 13 regional shelters) presented for ovariohysterectomy or castration between October 7 and December 6, 2019.

PROCEDURES

For this prospective study, each dog underwent presurgical physical examination, CBC, and tests for Dirofilaria immitis antigen and Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi, and Ehrlichia canis antibodies, with additional tests performed as needed. Dogs were aged by dentition as juvenile (< 3 or ≥ 3 to ≤ 6 months) or adult (> 6 months). Leukogram results were compared across age groups with recognized infections and parasitism and with dogs’ progression to surgery.

RESULTS

There were 34 dogs < 3 months old, 22 dogs ≥ 3 to ≤ 6 months old, and 82 > 6 months old. Sixty-three of 138 (45.6%) dogs had leukocytosis (median, 16,500 cells/µL; range, 13,700 to 28,300 cells/µL). Dogs < 3 months of age had higher median leukocyte and lymphocyte counts (14,550 cells/µL and 3,700 cells/µL, respectively) than dogs > 6 months of age (12,500 cells/µL and 2,400 cells/µL, respectively). Only 1 dog had a stress leukogram. Forty-seven dogs had recognized infection, but there was no association with leukocytosis. Surgery proceeded successfully for all dogs with leukocytosis.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Mild to moderate leukocytosis is common before elective surgery in shelter dogs, but surgery can proceed safely. A CBC should be reserved for ill-appearing dogs rather than as a screening test, and age-specific reference intervals should be considered.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether shelter dogs presenting for elective ovariohysterectomy or castration have leukocytosis, whether leukocytes are associated with age and infection, and whether leukocytosis precludes progression to surgery.

ANIMALS

138 dogs (from 13 regional shelters) presented for ovariohysterectomy or castration between October 7 and December 6, 2019.

PROCEDURES

For this prospective study, each dog underwent presurgical physical examination, CBC, and tests for Dirofilaria immitis antigen and Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi, and Ehrlichia canis antibodies, with additional tests performed as needed. Dogs were aged by dentition as juvenile (< 3 or ≥ 3 to ≤ 6 months) or adult (> 6 months). Leukogram results were compared across age groups with recognized infections and parasitism and with dogs’ progression to surgery.

RESULTS

There were 34 dogs < 3 months old, 22 dogs ≥ 3 to ≤ 6 months old, and 82 > 6 months old. Sixty-three of 138 (45.6%) dogs had leukocytosis (median, 16,500 cells/µL; range, 13,700 to 28,300 cells/µL). Dogs < 3 months of age had higher median leukocyte and lymphocyte counts (14,550 cells/µL and 3,700 cells/µL, respectively) than dogs > 6 months of age (12,500 cells/µL and 2,400 cells/µL, respectively). Only 1 dog had a stress leukogram. Forty-seven dogs had recognized infection, but there was no association with leukocytosis. Surgery proceeded successfully for all dogs with leukocytosis.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Mild to moderate leukocytosis is common before elective surgery in shelter dogs, but surgery can proceed safely. A CBC should be reserved for ill-appearing dogs rather than as a screening test, and age-specific reference intervals should be considered.

Contributor Notes

Corresponding author: Dr. KuKanich (kstenske@ksu.edu)
  • 1.

    Grubb T, Sager J, Gaynor JS, et al. 2020 AAHA anesthesia and monitoring guidelines for dogs and cats. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2020;56(2):5982. doi:10.5326/JAAHA-MS-7055

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 2.

    Chandra A, Thakur V, Bhasin N, Gupta D. The role of pre-operative investigations in relatively healthy general surgical patients–a retrospective study. Anaesth Pain Intensiv Care. 2014;18(3):241244.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 3.

    Benarroch-Gampel J, Sheffield KM, Duncan CB, et al. Preoperative laboratory testing in patients undergoing elective, low-risk ambulatory surgery. Ann Surg. 2012;256(3):518528. doi:10.1097/SLA.0b013e318265bcdb

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 4.

    Alef M, von Praun F, Oechtering G. Is routine pre-anaesthetic haemotological and biochemical screening justified in dogs? Vet Anaesth Analg. 2008;35(2):132140. doi:10.1111/j.1467-2995.2007.00364.x

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 5.

    Mitchell K, Barletta M, Quandt J, Shepard M, Kleine S, Hofmeister E. Effect of routine pre-anesthetic laboratory screening on pre-operative anesthesia-related decision-making in healthy dogs. Can Vet J. 2018;59(7):773778.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 6.

    Dudley ES, Schiml PA, Hennessy MB. Effects of repeated petting sessions on leukocyte counts, intestinal parasite prevalence, and plasma cortisol concentration of dogs housed in a county animal shelter. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2015;247(11):12891298. doi:10.2460/javma.247.11.1289

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 7.

    Stockham SL, Scott MA. Leukocytes. In: Stockham SL, Scott MA, eds. Fundamentals of Veterinary Clinical Pathology. 2nd ed. Blackwell; 2008:53106.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 8.

    Harper EJ, Hackett RM, Wilkinson J, Heaton PR. Age-related variations in hematologic and plasma biochemical test results in Beagles and Labrador Retrievers. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2003;223(10):14361442. doi:10.2460/javma.2003.223.1436

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 9.

    Prentice S, Kamushaaga Z, Nash SB, Elliott AM, Dockrell HM, Cose S. Post-immunization leukocytosis and its implications for the management of febrile infants. Vaccine. 2018;36(20):28702875. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.03.026

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 10.

    Righi C, Menchetti L, Orlandi R, Moscati L, Mancini S, Diverio S. Welfare assessment in shelter dogs by using physiological and immunological parameters. Animals (Basel). 2019;9(6):340 doi:10.3390/ani9060340

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 11.

    Anderson AC, Gee W. Normal blood values in the Beagle. Vet Med. 1958;53:135138.

  • 12.

    Shifrine M, Munn SL, Rosenblatt LS, Bulgin MS, Wilson FD. Hematologic changes to 60 days of age in clinically normal Beagles. Lab Anim Sci. 1973;23(6):894898.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 13.

    Kustritz MV. Early spay-neuter: clinical considerations. Clin Tech Small Anim Pract. 2002;17(3):124128. doi:10.1053/svms.2002.34328

  • 14.

    Wiggs RB, Lobprise HB. Veterinary Dentistry Principles and Practice. Lippincott-Raven; 1997:97.

  • 15.

    KuKanich KS, Springer NL, Klutzke JB, KuKanich B. Comparisons of hematologic results for juvenile versus adult shelter dogs presented for ovariohysterectomy or castration. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2021;259(3):275282. doi:10.2460/javma.259.3.275

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 16.

    Latimer KS, Tvedten H. Leukocyte disorders. In: Willard MD, Tvedten H, Turnwald GH, eds. Small Animal Clinical Diagnosis by Laboratory Methods. 3rd ed. WB Saunders Co; 1999:5274.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 17.

    Macartney L, McCandlish IA, Thompson H, Cornwell HJ. Canine parvovirus enteritis 1: clinical, haemotological and pathological features of experimental infection. Vet Rec. 1984;115(9):201210. doi:10.1136/vr.115.9.201

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 18.

    Lunn KA. Fever. In: Greene CE, ed. Infectious Diseases of the Dog and Cat. 4th ed. Elsevier; 2012:11151123.

  • 19.

    Riemer S, Assis L, Pike TW, Mills DS. Dynamic changes in ear temperature in relation to separation distress in dogs. Physiol Behav. 2016;167:8691. doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2016.09.002

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 20.

    Travain T, Colomb ES, Heinzl EUL, Bellucci D, Prato-Previde E, Valsecchi P. Hot dogs: thermography in the assessment of stress in dogs (Canis familiaris)–a pilot study. J Vet Behav. 2015;10(1):1723. doi:10.1016/j.jveb.2014.11.003

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 21.

    Chervier C, Chabanne L, Godde M, Rodriguez-Piñeiro MI, Deputte BL, Cadoré JL. Causes, diagnostic signs, and utility of investigations of fever in dogs: 50 cases. Can Vet J. 2012;53(5):525530.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 22.

    Dunn KJ, Dunn JK. Diagnostic investigations in 101 dogs with pyrexia of unknown origin. J Small Anim Pract. 1998;39(12):574580. doi:10.1111/j.1748-5827.1998.tb03711.x

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 23.

    Edreis SM, Albehwar AM, Sobhy NM, Zaghlool MA. Immunological and clinical studies on vaccinated dogs with the live attenuated canine adeno-1 virus vaccine. Egypt J Agric Res. 2018;96(1):305311.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 24.

    Marinho Maciel R, dos Anjos Lopes ST, Melazzo Andrade Mazzanti C, et al. A hematologic and electrophoretic study in puppies vaccinated against canine distemper virus and canine parvovirus. Acta Sci Vet. 2012;40(1):16.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

Advertisement