Neutrophilia is associated with a poorer clinical outcome in dogs with chronic hepatitis

Background: Liver disease is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in dogs. Currently it is challenging to prognosticate in these cases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of the haematological variables in prognosticating dogs with chronic hepatitis. Methods: Dogs with chronic hepatitis confirmed on histopathology had presenting haematological values retrospectively obtained and evaluated against survival time. Eighty two dogs met the inclusion criteria and their data analysed. Results: Neutrophilic patients, with a count greater than 12 x 109/l, controlled for sex and age, had a shorter survival time (p = < 0.01). In dogs, neutrophilia at presentation predicted a poor outcome, whereas the other haematological parameters were not prognostically informative. When the dogs were split into even quarters on the basis of their neutrophil count, those within the higher quartiles had poorer survival times. Neutrophilia was associated with a poorer survival time in comparison to those patients with a lower count. Conclusion: The relationship between neutrophils, inflammation and clinical outcome is deserving of future study in dogs with chronic hepatitis.