Hemolytic Anemia of the Dog Following Bilateral Nephrectomy

Abstract

The anemia following bilateral nephrectomy of the dog has been studied with and without the interposition of peritoneal irrigation. The anemia is rapid in its development and unassociated with sufficient hemorrhages to account for it. It is associated with jaundice due mainly to the "indirect" type bilirubin, an increase in the bile pigment excretion in the stool, increase in serum iron and the iron binding capacity of the serum, and hemosiderosis and erythrophagocytosis of lymph nodes, spleen and liver. The rapidity of development and accessory findings are considered to indicate a hemolytic process. Hemolytic anemia following bilateral nephrectomy has been identified in the rabbit and the dog. In addition, the human in uremia at times has displayed evidence of a hemolytic anemia. The hemolytic anemia of uremia does not appear to be species specific.