Hematological changes associated with chronic lymphocytic leukemia in dogs

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in dogs is a malignant hematologic disorder characterized by the monoclonal neoplastic proliferation of mature lymphocytes in the bloodstream and bone marrow. The disease has a slow and insidious progression, predominantly affecting adult and geriatric animals, with no evident breed or sex predisposition. Clinically, CLL manifests with nonspecific signs of mild intensity in its early stages, which progressively worsen and can lead, in advanced phases, to severe bone marrow dysfunction and multiorgan failure. Hematological characteristics include persistent peripheral lymphocytosis, occasionally accompanied by mild cytopenia. Early diagnosis is crucial for optimal therapeutic management, relying on the evaluation of hematological parameters through complete blood count, morphological analysis of peripheral blood smears, and flow cytometry. These techniques facilitate the identification and classification of neoplastic lymphocytes.