I was told my Greyhound has a very rare condition called polycythemia. What should I do about it?
Greyhounds have significantly higher red blood cell (RBC) count than any other breed of dog. Red blood cell counts are often measured in a percentage called a packed cell volume (PCV) or hematocrit (Hct). Normal values for non-Greyhounds are rarely above 55%. Normal values for Greyhounds can extend up to 70%. A PCV of lower than 50% likely indicates some degree of anemia (low RBC count) although it will be within the laboratory’s normal range for non-Greyhounds. For more information, please read the following articles: • Why Is My Dog’s Labwork Different From Yours?
