Presumptive Hemolytic Anemia After Consumption of Wild Garlic (Allium ursinum) and Blood Transfusion Therapy in Two Bearded Dragons (Pogona vitticeps)
A three-year-old female spayed bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) was presented to the clinic three days after being fed wild garlic (Allium ursinum) with lethargy, inappetence and pale mucous membranes. Diagnostic testing, including hematology, blood chemistry, whole body radiographs and a parasitological examination (flotation, native preparation) revealed lowgrade leukocytosis (20,000 [1/μL]), anemia (hematocrit 8%) and a parasite infestation with oxyurids and flagellates. The animal was hospitalized and treated with: enrofloxacin IM, SteroG5 SC, activated charcoal and lactulose PO, Vit B complex SC, iron IM, Zylexis SC, fenbendazole PO, metronidazole PO, and HerbiCare PO and supplemental oxygen via an oxygen cage. During the animal's hospitalization, the partner animal, a three-year-old male bearded dragon was presented to the hospital for examination and also was found to be anemic with a significantly decreased hematocrit of 11%. Due to the life-threatening anemia, both animals underwent whole blood transfusion via intraosseous catheter from two donor animals of the same species on day 2 of hospitalization. Two days post transfusion, both animals showed an increase in hematocrit, and improvement of their general condition. 14 days post transfusion, hematocrit levels had increased to 16% in the female and 20% in the male, and both animals showed completely normal species-specific behavior and general condition.Abstract
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