Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville.
Serum and hepatic iron determinations and hematologic parameters were measured in 10 dogs with congenital portosystemic vascular anomalies. Anemia, hypoferremia, and microcytosis were present in 70%, 70%, and 60% of the dogs, respectively. An increase in hepatic iron content was observed in all dogs. These results suggest a relationship between altered hepatic blood flow and abnormal iron metabolism in dogs with congenital portosystemic vascular anomalies.