31. Blood loss anaemias in dogs and cats

Question 1

Blood Loss anaemias in dogs and cats?

Answer 1

↓ In the number of circulating RBCs

MCV (mean corpuscular volume) – Macrocytosis/Macrocytosis

MCHC (mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration) –

Hypochromic/Normochromic

Question 2

Classification of anaemias?

Answer 2

CLASSIFICATION OF ANAEMIA

Regenerative anaemia: Bone marrow responds appropriately to ↓ RBCs by ↑ production of new RBCs

§ Blood loss

§ Haemolytic anaemia

Non-regenerative anaemia: Bone marrow responds inadequately to the ↑ RBC requirement

§ Deficiency anaemias (e.g Fe; Vit. B12)

§ ↓ Erythropoietin

§ Endocrine deficiency (e.g hypothyroidism; Addison’s)

§ Aplastic anaemia (e.g from FeLV; oetrogengs)

Question 3

General cinical signs of anaemia?

Answer 3

GENERAL CLINICAL SIGNS OF ANAEMIA

§ Skin pallor § Weakness

§ Mucosa pallor § ↑ HR

§ Exercise intolerance § ↑ RR

§ Weak peripheral pulse § Bounding pulse

Question 4

Lab D?

Answer 4

LAB. D

General parameters that could be checked

§ Reticulocyte % § RBC

68

§ TBr § PCV

§ PLT count § Fe

§ Iron-binding capacity § TP

§ APTT § PTT

§ RBC morphology - Smear § ACT

§ WBC

Question 5

Acute Blood Loss Anaemia?

Answer 5

Acute Blood Loss Anaemia

CAUSES

§ Thrombocytopenia § Trauma

§ Coagulopathy § Ulcers

§ Thrombocytopathy § Tumour

§ Metrorrhagia (acyclic uterine bleeding)

CLINICAL SIGNS

Seen at ~30% blood loss and above; May be asymptomatic

See “General clinical signs of anaemia” earlier

§ ↑ CRT

§ Hypovolaemia

§ Hypotonia } Leads to hypovolaemic shock

§ Hypoxia

Depending on the site of bleeding:

§ Haematemesis § Melena

§ Haematuria § Epistaxis

§ Haematoma

§ Hemoperitoneum: Abdominal distension; Undulation

§ Haemothorax: Compromised respiration; Ø/↓ Percussion

sounds; Dull heart sounds

DIAGNOSIS

§ History & Clinical signs

§ PCV

§ Abdominocentesis; Thoracocentesis (depending on CSx)

§ Radiology

§ Ultrasound

TREATMENT

§ Stop any bleeding first & treat for shock

§ Blood transfusion (if PCV <20%)

§ Premedication: Ca; Glucocorticouds

Question 6

Chronic Blood Loss Anaemia?

Answer 6

Chronic Blood Loss Anaemia

Results in Iron-deficiency anaemia; Non-regenerative

Leads to abnormally small RBCs; ↓ Haemoglobin

CAUSES

§ Ctenocephalosis § Tumour

§ Ancylostomiasis § Ulcer

§ Trichuriosis § Lice

§ Chronic GI bleeds § Intestinal worms

CLINICAL SIGNS

See under “Acute blood loss anaemia”

DIAGNOSIS

§ Serum iron conc.

§ Parasitology

§ Endoscopy

§ Laparotomy

TREATMENT

§ Treatment of the primary cause

§ Iron preparations; Folic acid; Vit. B12

§ If anaemia is severe: Transfusion