CANINE PLASMA ERYTHROPOIETIN LEVELS IN 124 CASES OF ANEMIA

Erythropoietin (EPO) levels in plasma from 124 clinically anemic dogs were determined by in vivo bioassay. In 81 anemic dogs with normal ren al function, the concentration of plasma EPO showed a close correlatio n with the hemoglobin concentration. The plasma EPO level was obviousl y decreased in 43 anemic dogs with renal failure. Of these dogs with r enal failure, 17 showed no detectable plasma EPO and resulted in the d eath of these dogs. In the remaining 26 dogs having detectable plasma EPO, the plasma concentration rate of EPO related to blood urea nitrog en and serum creatinine values.