Food Animal CBC, TP, & Fibrinogen Flashcards
What is the most commonly reported glycoprotein that when elevated, indicates acute inflammation in the bovine?
a. acute phase protein
b. albumin
c. fibrinogen
d. gamma globulin
C
(gamma globulin = chronic)
What is the normal neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio in the adult bovine?
30:70 - 40:60 (1:2 documented)
N < L —> inversion = inflammation
When is the CBC most important in food animals?
for the ADR animals to determine the cause of inflammation or infection and help with differentials with respect to expense and making money
(costs $25-$100)
What is the total WBC range in ruminants? Can there be a normal number of WBCs and there still be a problem?
4-13 x 10^3
YES - immature neutrophils, excessive lymphocytes
What are the 2 classes of WBCs? Where are they produced? What is the exception?
- polymorphonuclear - neutrophils
- mononuclear - lymphocytes, monocytes
bone marrow
lymphocytes are also produced in the thymus, spleen, LNs, Peyer’s patches, and tonsils
What do immature neutrophils indicate? What value changes?
inflammation
neutrophil/lymphocyte inversion - neutrophil counts overtake lymphocytes (normally 40:60 / 1:2)
Eosinophilia is rare in food animals. What are 3 causes?
- allergic reactions
- parasites (usually little to no reaction to parasites residing in the gut)
- autoimmune disease (IBD)
You suspect worms in a 5 m/o Holstein heifer. What diagnostic test would you choose?
a. TP
b. fecal
c. CBC
d. chemistry
B
What is the most common cause of basophilia in food animals?
immediate hypersensitivity reactions
(not common to pull blood when this happens)
What is lymphocytosis usually suggestive of? What should be evaluated?
bovine leukosis virus —> leukemia
neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio
How do monocytes mature?
released from the BM and circulate for 1-3 days, then enter tissues/body cavities and become macrophages
What is monocytosis a sign of?
chronic inflammation (internal abscess)
What do macrophages release?
TNF - responsible for many of the physiologic derangements associated with endotoxemia that end in shock, tissue injury, and death
What are the 4 main evidences of acute inflammation on bovine bloodwork?
- neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio inversion
- immature neutrophils (usually band, which are not commonly seen at all)
- elevated protein
- elevated fibrinogen
Is this bloodwork indicative of inflammation?
no —> CBC WNL
no inversion or bands, no increased fibrinogen
What is a common factor that alters leukogram interpretation?
age - normal ranges are typically for adults and juvenile values need to be researched
(+ physiological factors)
What is the cause of physiologic leukocytosis? How does it cause elevated WBCs?
epinephrine release due to stress, excitation, anxiety, or exercise
transient leukocytosis due to the mobilization of the marginal neutrophil pool being counted with the circulating pool in a stressed animal
What is the most common cause of neutrophilia? What is a left shift?
bacterial infection (viral infections commonly initiate bacterial second invaders)
presence of greater than normal band neutrophils
What is the most common cause of lymphocytosis?
chronic viral infections —> bovine lymphosarcoma (BLV)
What is the difference between a regenerative and degenerative left shift?
REGEN - bone marrow has responded with more mature neutrophils —> good prognostic factor
DEGEN - bone marrow has not responded with more neutrophils —> poor prognostic factor
(in the process of clinical disease, circulatory WBCs will initially be depleted as they respond and the BM is responsible for responding over the next few days and produce more)
What are the 4 most common causes of lymphopenia?
- stress/corticosteroid release
- acute viral disease
- endotoxin
- severe bacterial/viral disease
What are 5 indications of chronic inflammation?
- mature neutrophilia with no or few bands
- monocytosis
- mild anemia (PCV < 24)
- elevated fibrinogen
- elevated globulins
How do the WBC counts differ in cattle, sheep, and goats differ as they age?
CATTLE - tends to be higher in calves through 2 years of age, then declines to mature levels
SHEEP - higher in young through 3 months of age, then declines
GOATS - higher in young through 3 months of age, then declines (can be up to 20,000)
How do the N/L ratios differ in cattle, sheep, and goats?
CATTLE - reversed in the first week of life (N>L)
SHEEP - reversed in the first week of life (N>L)
GOATS - equal or slightly greater neutrophils compared to lymphocytes
What systems are albumin and globulin associated with? What are the normal TP, ALB, and GLOB values?
albumin = liver associated
globulin = antibody associated
A chronically sick, mature beef cow presents with a TP of 9.2. The cow was only marginally dehydrated. The liver was swollen.
Explain the likely reason for the TP of 9.2. How can you tell the liver is swollen?
- if globulins are increased, chronic inflammatory disease is expected
- if albumin is increased, chronic liver disease (neoplasia) is expected
palpate around the last rib on the right, will be able to feel the liver
What are the 2 most common causes of hyperproteinemia?
- dehydration - slight elevation (~7.7) due to lack of intake or disease
- chronic inflammation
What are the most common causes of hyperglobulinemia and hyperalbuminemia?
chronic inflammation stimulated plasma cells to release Igs
dehydration
What are the 4 major differentials for hypoproteinemia?
- failure of passive transfer in neonates up to 2 weeks old
- malnutrition
- Johnes disease
- parasites
What produces fibrinogen? What is its role? Why is it especially helpful with bovine bloodwork?
liver
hemostasis —> acute-phase reactant protein indicative of acute inflammation
cows have a greater capacity to produce it
What should be considered with an ADR bovine with a regenerative left shift and elevated TP and fibrinogen?
a. nothing, the cow is responding
b. antibiotics and anti-inflammatories due to obvious inflammation
c. consider slaughter due to the poor prognosis
B
Interpret the following values:
- normal WBC
- increased bands
- N:L inversion
- monocytosis
- increased fibrinogen
REGENERATIVE LEFT SHIFT = later stage of inflammation where the BM is responding (earlier stages would have neutropenia)
