Greyhound Bloodwork

Greyhound bloodwork has enough differences from “other dog” bloodwork to sometimes make it deceivingly “normal” or “abnormal” if one isn't familiar with these differences. The salient differences are discussed below.

CBC = Complete Blood Count

• RBC = Red Blood Cells
• Hgb = Hemoglobin
• PCV / HCT = Packed Cell Volume/Hematocrit
• WBC = White Blood Cells
• Platelets

Chem Panel

• T.P. = Total Protein Globulin
• Creatinine
• T4 (Thyroid)

Greyhounds*

• RBC: 7.4-9.0
• Hgb: 19.0-21.5
• PCV: 55-65

Other Breeds*

• RBC: 5.5-8.5
• Hgb: 12.0-18.0
• PCV: 37-55

Greyhounds have significantly more red blood cells than other breeds. This elevates parameters for RBC, hemoglobin, and PCV / HCT, and is the reason greyhounds are so desirable as blood donors. Most veterinarians are aware of this difference. Never accept a diagnosis of polycythemia – a once- in-a-lifetime-rare diagnosis of pathologic red cell overproduction – in a greyhound.

Conversely, never interpret a greyhound PCV in the 30′s – 40′s as being normal just because it is for other dogs. A greyhound with a PCV in the 30′s – 40′s is an anemic greyhound. Rule of thumb here in Arizona where Ehrlichia is endemic is that any greyhound with a PCV < 50 should be titered.

Other greyhound CBC changes are less well known. The greyhound’s normally low WBC has caused more than one healthy greyhound to undergo a bone marrow biopsy in search of “cancer” or some other cause of the “low WBC.”

WBC*

• Greyhound: 3.5 – 6.5
• Other dog: 6.0 – 17.0

Likewise, greyhound platelet numbers are lower on average than other breeds, which might be mistakenly interpreted as a problem. It is thought that greyhound WBCs, platelets, and total protein may be lower to physiologically “make room” in the bloodstream for the increased red cell load.

Confounding these normally low WBC and platelet numbers is the fact that Ehrlichia, a common blood parasite of greyhounds, can lower WBC and platelet counts. So if there is any doubt as to whether the WBC / platelet counts are normal, an Ehrlichia titer is always in order. The other classic changes with Ehrlichia are lowered PCV and elevated total protein. But bear in mind that every greyhound will not have every change, and Ehrlichia greyhounds can have normal CBCs.

Platelets**

• Greyhound: 80,000 – 200,000
• Other dog: 150,000 – 400,000

Greyhound total proteins tend to run on the low end of normal – T.P.s in the 5.0′s and 6.0′s are the norm. While the albumin fraction of T.P. is the same as other dogs, the globulin component is lower.

T.P.*

• Greyhound: 4.5 – 6.2
• Other dog: 5.4 – 7.8

Globulin*

• Greyhound: 2.1 – 3.2
• Other dog: 2.8 – 4.2

Greyhound creatinines run higher than other breeds as a function of their large lean muscle mass. A study at the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine found that 80% of retired greyhounds they sampled had creatinine values above the standard reference range for “other dogs.” As a lone finding, an “elevated creatinine” is not indicative of impending kidney failure. If the BUN and urinalysis are normal, so is the “elevated” creatinine.

Creatinine***

• Greyhounds: .8 – 1.6
• Other dogs: .0 – 1.0

These figures are from a University of Florida study of thyroid function in 221 greyhounds – 97 racers, 99 broods, and 25 studs – so it included both racers and “retired.” While greyhound thyroid levels are a whole chapter unto themselves, a good rule of thumb is that greyhound T4s run about half that of other breeds.*****

T4****

• Greyhounds: .5 – 3.6 (mean 1.47+/- .63)
• Other dogs: 1.52 – 3.60

Urinalysis
And lastly, the good news – greyhound urinalysis is the same as other breeds. It is normal for males to have small to moderate amounts of bilirubin in the urine.

*M.R. Herron, DVM, ACVS, Clinical Pathology of the Racing Greyhound , 1991.
**C. Guillermo Couto, DVM, ACVIM, “Managing Thrombocytopenia in Dogs & Cats,” Veterinary Medicine, May 1999.
***J.Steiss, DVM, W. Brewer, DVM, E.Welles, DVM, J. Wright, DVM, “Hematologic & Serum Biochemical Reference Values in Retired Greyhounds,” Compendium on Continuing Education, March 2000.
**** M. Bloomberg, DVM, MS, “Thyroid Function of the Racing Greyhound,” University of Florida, 1987.
*****D. Bruyette, DVM, ACVIM, Veterinary Information Network, 2001.

By Suzanne Stack, DVM

Visit GreytHealth by Suzanne Stack, DVM, long-time Greyhound vet and adoption supporter at www.greythealth.com