Anaemia and haemolytic conditions

Question 1

Simply what are the 3 causes of anaemia

Answer 1

Haemorrhage
Haemolysis
Decreased or failure of red blood cell production

Question 2

How can haemolysis be further categorised

Answer 2

Intravascular haemolysis
Extravascular haemolysis

Question 3

What clinical features can be used to differentiate intravascular and extravascular haemolysis?

Answer 3

Intravascular: Haemoglobinaemia (pink plasma), haemoglobinuria (pink tinged urine)
Extravascular: Jaundice

Question 4

What occurs in intravascular haemolysis

Answer 4

Red blood cell destruction occurs in the blood vessels

Question 5

What occurs in extravascular haemolysis

Answer 5

RBC destruction of non-circulating red blood cells occurs at a site outside of the bloodstream. The most common sites for this to occur are the liver and spleen, and sometimes bone marrow.

Question 6

What are the differential diagnosis for blood loss anaemia (regenerative) in cattle?

Answer 6

Abomasal ulceration
Trauma
Severe fasciola hepatica infection
Severe blood sucking endoparasite infestation
Severe coccidosis
CVCS
Bleeding disorder

Question 7

List 5 differential diagnosis of intravascular haemolytic anaemia in cattle

Answer 7

Hypophosphataemia
Babesia divergens infection
Water intoxication
Clostridium haemolyticum infection
Chronic copper toxicity

Question 8

describe the signalment of hypophosphatemia

Answer 8

Cows approx 10 days after calving

Question 9

What are the differential diagnosis of extravascular haemolytic anaemia (regenerative) in cattle?

Answer 9

Mycoplasma wenyonii infection
Candidatus mycoplasma haemobos infection

Question 10

What are the differential diagnosis of no regenerative anaemia in cattle?

Answer 10

Anaemia associated with chronic disease: pyelonephritis, chronic pneumonia, endocarditis, visceral abscesses
Bracken toxicity

Question 11

How can chronic inflammation lead to non regenerative anaemia?

Answer 11

Hepcidin release from the liver causing sequestration and macrophages and iron malabsorption

Question 12

List 2differential diagnosis of haematuria?

Answer 12

Bracken toxicity
Pyelonephritis
urogenital tract trauma

Question 13

What causes abomasal ulceration in cattle?

Answer 13

Stress
concurrent disease
NSAID usage

Question 14

What are the clinical signs of abomasal ulceration in cattle?

Answer 14

Melena
mild abdominal pain
tachycardia
sudden onset anorexia
sudden drop in milk production
weakness

Question 15

How is abdominal ulceration in cattle diagnosed

Answer 15

Predominantly based on clinical signs
Transabdominal US if associated peritonitis for presumptive diagnosis if alongside melena
Can do transabdominal US of abdmasum for defects in a hospital
Definitive diagnosis on PM

Question 16

How is abdominal ulceration treated?

Answer 16

Good nursing care
Treat any concurrent disease
Broad spec AB if associated peritonitis
Euthanasia- poor prognosis

Question 17

Describe how to prevent abdominal ulceration in cattle

Answer 17

avoid stressors
avoid prolonged periods of inappetence
Assess copper levels and supplement if deficient

Question 18

List 2 causes of hypophosphatemia in cattle

Answer 18

inadequate feed intake
often secondary to hypocalcaemia

Question 19

List 5 clinical signs of hypophosphatasaemia in cattle

Answer 19

Recumbency
Red urine due to haemoglobinuria
Poor growth rates and/or weight loss
weakness
dull demeanor

Question 20

Describe how hypophosphatemia in cattle diagnosed

Answer 20

Biochemistry

Question 21

Describe how hypophosphataemia in cattle treated

Answer 21

oral administration of phosphate salts
providing feed with adequate phosphorus
blood transfusion if required
often concurrent treatment for hypocalcaemia

Question 22

How can hypophosphataemia in cattle be prevented?

Answer 22

ensuring sufficient feed intake with adequate phosphorus content specifically transition diet

Question 23

List 3 sucking lice in the UK can cause anaemia with high infestation in cattle?

Answer 23

Linognathus vituli
Solenopotes capillatus
Haematopinus eurysternus

Question 24

List 4 clinical signs associated with lice infestation in cattle

Answer 24

Pruritus
Hair loss
reduced weight gain
Signs associated with anaemia in severe infestations: ill thrift, weakness, poor MM colour

Question 25

Describe how a lice infestation is treated in cattle

Answer 25

Synthetic pyrethroids: permethrin, deltamethrin
Ivermectin and moxidectin if also treating for round worm
Blood transfusion is severe anaemia

Question 26

How can lice infestation be prevented in cattle?

Answer 26

Ensure cattle are systemically well
Ensure clean housing with good ventilation
Preventative products

Question 27

How should you initially investigate a cow presenting with red urine?

Answer 27

History and clinical exam
Urine dipstick
Blood smear
PCV
Routine haematology

Question 28

What are the clinical signs of babesiosis in cattle?

Answer 28

Haemoglobinuria
Pallor
Weakness
Dull demeanour
Pyrexia
Diarrhoea

Question 29

How is Babesiosis in cattle treated?

Answer 29

Imidocarb dipropionate +/- blood transfusion

Question 30

What are the clinical signs of mycoplasma wenyonii infection in cattle?

Answer 30

Haemoglobinuria
Pallor
Hindlimb and udder/scrotal oedema

Question 31

How is mycoplasma wenyonii infection in cattle treated?

Answer 31

Oxytetracycline or macrolides
Immunosuppressive dose of steroids
Blood transfusion