Anaemia diagnosis and management Flashcards
List the 3 steps to treating anaemia
Triage and emergency treatment , investigation and stabilisation
fluid therapy/ transfusion if needed
treat specific cause
Describe the 6 steps you undertake when emergency stabilising a patient with anaemia
oxygen supplementation
temperature management
fluid therapy
analgesia
treat concurrent conditions
emergency surgery where warranted
List 2 reasons why temperature management important in emergency anaemia cases
warming up too quickly will cause vasodilation and decrease BP
being cold will worsen shock signs
why is fluid therapy required in patients with emergency anaemia
treat hypovolaemia and address poor perfusion
describe how haemorrhage treated
diagnose/ treat coagulopathy
physically stop the bleeding if able
address cause
transfuse if necessary
what is a high risk in IMHA cases
Thromboembolism
Describe how IMHA is treated
immunosuppressive therapy but must be sure there is no untreated infectious cause first- glucocorticoids are first line
adjunct agents may be required if response is not favourable
transfuse as necessary
What adjunct agents can be used alongside glucocorticoids in IMHA treatment?
Azathioprine,
Mycophenolate mofetil,
Ciclosporin,
Leflunomide
What is a common infectious disease to cause anaemia via haemolysis?
Babesia
what does extravascular haemolysis cause
jaundice
what does intravascular haemolysis cause
haematuria and pink plasma
what is babesia
intracellular protozoa transmitted by ticks
What are the clinical signs of babesia
IV and EV haemolysis
Pallor
Jaundice
Pyrexia
Haemoglobinuria
CV compromise
weakness
Inappetence
How can babesia be diagnosed
Microscopy (on blood smear)
PCR
how is babesia treated
Imidocarb (unlicensed)
Azythromycin
Doxycycline
supportive treatment such as transfusions and liver support
list the 2 mechanisms of oxidative damage in RBCs
Oxidation of haem iron to form methaemoglobin,
Oxidation of haemoglobin to form Heinz bodies.
List 4 things that can cause oxidative damage to RBCs
Heavy metals
alliums (onions, leek, garlic)
rape, kale and cabbage
paracetamol
how to treat paracetamol toxicity in cats and dogs
N-acetylcystiene
What is Ehrlichia
Rickettsial bacteria transmitted by ticks,
Found inside macrophages and monocytes
List 5 clinical signs of Ehrlichia infection
Grumbling thrombocytopenia,
Hyperglobulinaemia,
Vague depression, fever, weight loss, anorexia,
Enlarged LNs,
Epistaxis, petechiae, ecchymoses.
If animals do not recover from acute Ehrlichia infection, what can it progress to?
Chronic monocytic Ehrlichia
List 5 clinical signs of chronic monocytic Ehrlichia
Profound monocytopaenia,
Failure of bone marrow,
Emaciation,
Swelling of hind legs and scrotum,
Hyperglobulinaemia
describe how you treat Ehrlichia
doxycycline
Imidocarb
