Anemia Flashcards
(79 cards)
Define anemia
a decrease in the number, volume, and/or hemoglobin content of erythrocytes
define polycythemia
an increase in the number, volume, and/or hemoglobin content of erythrocytes
clinicaly what does the term anemia mean?
low total blood hemoglobin
(this is because no matter the defect, the overall effect is a decrease in functional hemoglobin)
relative anemia
normal RBC mass
increased amount of plasma fluid
shows anemia on PCV BUT normal RBC mass
causes of relative anemia
- can be seen in newborn animals
- overhydration
absolute anemia
- a true decrease in RBC mass
- is common and clinically significant
causes of absolute anemia
- failure to produce enough RBCs (iron deficiency, bone marrow deficiency, congenital defect, neoplasia)
- RBC loss is greater than RBC production (bleeding or destruction)
clinical signs of anemia (4)
- pale mm (or yellow if RBCs are being broken down)
- reduced exercise tolerance (gradual onset lethargy)
- tachycardia
- increased respiration with exertional dyspnea (respiratory acidosis)
what is masked with hemolytic anemia?
the pale mm may be masked by icterus
what clinical signs are also seen with chronic anemia? (2)
- low-grade fever
- dry rough hair coat
why is anemia clasified in different groups?
to help identify the probable causes
what are the 3 common methods of classifying anemia
- erythrocyte morphology
- degree of bone marrow response
- cause
How are cells grouped according to the erythrocyte morphology classification?
by cell size and hemoglobin content
MCV and MCHC
what further groups can the erythrocy morphology classification be broken into?
reticulocyte count
plasma protein levels
leukocyte responce
thrombocyte counts
blood smear evaluation
Normocytic
normal sized RBC
MCV
Microcytic
decreased RBC size
MCV
Macrocytic
increased RBC size
MCV
MCV determines if the cells are:
normocytic, macrocytic, or microcytic
MCHC demonstrates that cells are:
normochromasia, hyperchromasia, or hypochromasia
hypochromic
decreased hemoglobin concentration
normochromic
normal hemoglobin concentration
hyperchromic
increased hemoglobin concentration*
spherocytes are the only true form of hyperchromasia
decreased MCHC
hypochromic
increased MCHC
hyperchromic