Experimental Onion-Induced Hemolytic Anemia in Dogs

Within one day following a single oral dose of dehydrated onions, dogs were found to have large numbers of Heinz bodies within erythrocytes. The percentage of erythrocytes that contained Heinz bodies increased slightly to a maximum on day 3 and then declined. The turbidity index increased more gradually with a maximal value on day 4. Erythrocytes with hemoglobin contracted to one side of the cell (eccentrocytes) also appeared after onion feeding. Eccentrocytes are believed to result from a direct injury to the erythrocyte membrane. As with Heinz body-containing cells, the percentages of eccentrocytes present declined as anemia developed. The packed cell volume began to decrease one day after onion administration. A mean decrease of 19 percentage points was reached by day 5. The most anemic dogs had evidence of intravascular hemolysis. Reticulocytosis was first observed five days after onion administration. A slight increase in methemoglobin content was measured four hours after onion administration. No significant changes in erythrocyte reduced glutathione concentration were measured. Transient neutrophilia occurred concomitant with the peak reticulocyte response.