CONGENITAL ERYTHROCYTE ENZYME DEFICIENCIES

Congenital hemolytic anemias resulting from pyruvate kinase (PK), phos phofructokinase (PFK), and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) en zyme deficiencies in domestic animals are described. Persistent methem oglobinemia has been reported in dogs and cats with methemoglobin redu ctase enzyme deficiency. Affected animals have cyanotic-appearing muco us membranes but exhibit no or only mild clinical signs attributable t o hyperemia. Erythrocyte enzyme assays are usually carried out after a cquired causes of hemolytic anemia and methemoglobinemia have been rul ed out.