Haemoglobin typing and its variations in Iranian domestic dogs.

The study of canine haemoglobin (Hb) components can help to forecast Hb changes during many pathological and physiological processes such as responsive anaemia. The aims of our study were to show canine Hb electrophoretic pattern on cellulose acetate and identify Hb types similar to the human Hb pattern. Blood samples from 78 different canine breeds were randomly collected in tubes containing anticoagulant EDTA. Animals were brought to the Small Animal Teaching Centre for a check-up and vaccination. All blood samples underwent electrophoresis on cellulose acetate paper strips to determine Hb types. Haematocrit and Hb were measured simultaneously. The Hb electrophoresis results showed that Hb A(1) was assigned to most of Hb components on cellulose acetate paper. Also, in some blood samples, Hb A(2) was detected at the cathode end of cellulose acetate paper similar to human Hb A(2), by densitometer. Small amounts of Hb F were detected in some dogs which was not significant. According to our study, Hb A(1) composes most of the total Hb percent in canine blood. Two types of Hb, A(2) and F, were detected in a few animals, but the majority did not possess Hb F. It seems that Hb F is not significant in these animals. We concluded that one or two Hb types could be seen in dogs. There is no difference in electrophoretic pattern between male and female dogs.