Korean J Vet Res.  2015 Dec;55(4):263-266. 10.14405/kjvr.2015.55.4.263.

Drug-induced blood cell dyscrasia associated with phenobarbital administration in a dog

• Jung HB
• Kang MH
• Park HM

• KMID: 2148071
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14405/kjvr.2015.55.4.263

Abstract

A 13-year-old, spayed, female Chihuahua dog was referred for evaluation of fever, lethargy, and dyspnea. Hematologic evaluation revealed severe neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and mild anemia. The dog had been undergoing phenobarbital therapy for the past 7 weeks because of generalized seizures due to meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown etiology. After ruling out other possible causes of cytopenias, a tentative diagnosis was made of drug-induced blood cell dyscrasia. The neutropenia and thrombocytopenia resolved after discontinuation of phenobarbital (8 days and 15 days after discontinuation, respectively). This is the first case report in Korea to demonstrate blood dyscrasia associated with idiosyncratic adverse effects of phenobarbital.

Keyword

leukopenia; neutropenia; phenobarbital; thrombocytopenia

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Anemia
Animals
Blood Cells*
Diagnosis
Dogs*
Dyspnea
Female
Fever
Humans
Korea
Lethargy
Leukopenia
Neutropenia
Phenobarbital*
Seizures
Thrombocytopenia
Phenobarbital