Absolute Reticulocyte Cases

Question 1

What 2 values are used to detect anemias and erythrocytosis?

Answer 1

1. HCT
2. PCV
   (NOT Hbg)

(should only have a 3% difference between each other)

Question 2

What 3 values are used to classify anemias?

Answer 2

MCV - volume/size of RBC
BELOW RI = microcytic
ABOVE RI = macrocytic

MCH & MCHC - hemoglobin in RBCs
BELOW RI = hypochromic
ABOVE RI = hyperchromic

Question 3

What are the main 2 things that the erythrogram counts?

Answer 3

1. mature RBCs - HCT, PCV, RBC, Hgb
2. reticulocytes - % and absRC to assess for regeneration by the bone marrow in response to anemia

Question 4

What values indicate regenerative anemia in dogs and cats?

Answer 4

above 80,000 reticulocytes/µL in dogs

above 60,000 reticulocytes/µL in cats

(absRC)

Question 5

How is absRC calculated?

Answer 5

reticulocyte % x RBC count (10^6/µL) x 10 = reticulocytes (10^3)/µL

Question 6

Is this animal anemic? If so, classify the anemia.

Answer 6

HCT = 25 L = yes, the animal is anemic
MCV = 88 H = macrocytic
MCH = 26.2H, but MCHC is WRI, so that is an artifact

absRC = 9% x 1.2 L x 10 = 108 reticulocytes x 10^3/µL = 108,000 reticulocytes

macrocytic, normochromic regenerative anemia

Question 7

Is this animal anemic? If so, classify the anemia.

Answer 7

HCT = 65 H = no, the animal has erythrocytosis
MCV = 55 L = microcytic, small RBCs
MCHC and MCH are WRI

absRC = 0.3% x 1.2 L x 10 = 3.6 x 10^3 = 3,600 reticulocytes/µL

no anemia, microcytosis, non-regenerative response

Question 8

In what 2 situations is erythrocytosis common?

Answer 8

1. dehydration
2. normal in Sighthounds (HCT = ~60), like Greyhounds, Whippets, and Salukis

Question 9

In what 3 situations is it common to have microcytosis with normal or high HCT?

Answer 9

1. portosystemic shunts
2. young animals
3. iron deficiencies

Question 10

Why is hemoglobin not commonly used to evaluate anemia in veterinary medicine?

Answer 10

Hgb can be falsely high in post-prandial samples from lipemia

Question 11

Is this animal anemic? If so, classify the anemia.

Answer 11

TP = 8.4 H = hyperproteinemia
HCT = 20 L = yes, animal is anemic
MCV = 65 L = WRI = normocytic
MCHC = 27 L = hypochromic

absRC = 0.5% x 3.2 L x 10 = 16 x 10^3 = 16,000

normocytic, hypochromic non-regenerative anemia

Question 12

Why is hyperchromasia typically an artifact?

Answer 12

RBCs are unable to carry more Hgb than the normal amount

(use MCHC, not MCH)