Evaluation of hematological, chemistry and blood gas values in dogs receiving hemoglobin glutamer-200

Objective: To evaluate the degree of interference that administration of hemoglobin glutamer‐200 (Hb‐200) caused for complete blood counts (CBC), biochemical profiles, cooximetry, and point of care (POC) testing in healthy dogs. Design: Prospective, longitudinal experimental study. Setting: Veterinary medical teaching hospital. Animals: Six purpose‐bred research hounds. Interventions: Dogs were administered FDA‐approved hemoglobin‐based oxygen carrier (Hb‐200) intravenously at 7.5 mL/kg over 2 hours. Arterial and venous blood samples were obtained before administration (Time 0) and at 3, 8, 14, 26, 50, 74, 98, 122, and 146 hours following administration. Measurements and main results: No adverse health effects were observed in any of the dogs. Characteristic mucous membrane, serum, and plasma color changes occurred following administration of Hb‐200. Laboratory values that were significantly lower than baseline included packed cell volume, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, creatinine, cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase. Laboratory values that were significantly greater than baseline included mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, arterial pH, arterial total carbon dioxide, arterial bicarbonate, amylase, albumin, total protein, globulin, calcium, phosphorous, total bilirubin, carboxyhemoglobin, and methemoglobin. All values returned to baseline by the completion of the 146‐hour monitoring period. Conclusions: In normal dogs, administration of Hb‐200 resulted in statistically significant changes in multiple laboratory parameters; however, these changes are not likely to be clinically significant in the care of critically ill dogs.