Approach to anaemia (Yr3) Flashcards
what is anaemia?
reduction of the RBC mass
what are the three causes of anaemia?
inadequate production by bone marrow
increased destruction
loss (haemorrhage)
which of the three overall causes of anaemia would be non-regenerative?
inadequate production
which of the three overall causes of anaemia would be regenerative?
increased destruction (some exceptions)
haemorrhage/loss (not regenerative enough)
how do red blood cells typically appear when anaemia is being caused by inadequate production from bone marrow?
normocytic normochromic
how do the red blood cells typically appear in anaemia from increased destruction?
macrocytic hypochromic (lots of reticulocytes)
how do red blood cells usually appear in cases of anaemia caused by haemorrhage?
microcytic hypochromic (lack of iron)
what feature of blood is seen in cases of anaemia caused by haemorrhage?
hypoproteinaemia (whole blood loss)
how do erythrocyte change in response to anaemia?
2,3-DPG increases to lower the haemoglobin affinity for oxygen to improve oxygen delivery to peripheral tissues
what causes the haemic murmur?
changes in the blood viscosity due to anaemia
what is the PCV of a mild anaemia in dogs?
30-36%
what is the PCV of a moderate anaemia in dogs?
18-29%
what is the PCV of a severe anaemia in dogs?
<18%
what is the PCV of a mild anaemia in cats?
20-24%
what is the PCV of a moderate anaemia in cats?
15-19%
what is the PCV of a severe anaemia in cats?
<15%
what are the ways erythrocyte index can be described?
MCV - mean corpuscular volume
MCHC - mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration
what are findings on haematology of regenerative anaemia?
reticulocytosis
polychromasia
what is reticulocytosis?
increased levels of reticulocytes
how can polychromatophils be visualised?
staining with diff quik
how can reticulocytes be visualised?
stain with new methylene blue
how long does it take for reticulocytes to increase following the onset of anaemia?
2-3 days (all anaemias appear non-regenerative initially)
when do reticulocyte levels peak following onset of anaemia?
4-7 days
what are the two types of feline reticulocytes?
aggregate
punctate
what are the stages of mature red blood cell formation in cats?
nucleated red blood cell
aggregate reticulocytes
punctate reticulocytes
mature red blood cells
how long do feline aggregate reticulocytes last for?
24 hours