Idiopathic neutropenia in a young Golden Retriever

The following case report describes the assessment and treatment of a 19 month old female intact Golden Retriever presenting to the Cornell University Hospital for Animals (CUHA) for persistent severe neutropenia, waxing and waning fever, lethargy, anorexia, and intermittent vomiting and diarrhea. Diagnostic evaluation included serial complete blood counts and biochemical profiles, urinalysis, abdominal ultrasound, thoracic radiographs, bacterial cultures (of feces, urine, and blood), bone marrow cytology, anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) titer, serology for a multitude of infectious diseases, and anti-neutrophil antibody test. Treatment initially included multiple antibiotics, anti-emetics, and gastroprotectants. Corticosteroid therapy was eventually instituted with resultant normalization of neutrophil count and resolution of clinical signs