Haematology

Question 1

What clinical signs may be seen with IMHA?

Answer 1

Lethargy 
Pale, jaundice MMs
Fever
Tachypnoea
CV instability

Question 2

What toxicities cause haemolytic anaemia in small animals?

Answer 2

Paracetamol - cats
Onions - dogs
VItamin K
Antifreeze

Question 3

What breed of dog is predisposed to IMTP and what causes it?

Answer 3

Spaniel

Idiopathic - type 2 hypersensitivity

Question 4

A dog has normal PT and PTT but prolonged buccal mucosal bleeding time. What does this suggest?

Answer 4

Normal platelet numbers but not working correctly

Von Willebrands?

Question 5

Name some secondary causes of IMTP (infectious and non-infectious)

Answer 5

DIC
Neoplasia
Vasculitis
Infectious: Babesia, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Leishmania, FeLV/FIV

Question 6

What is the treatment for IMTP?

Answer 6

Immunosuppression

+ Blood transfusion

Question 7

What may cause a non-immune mediated thrombocytpenia?

Answer 7

Bone marrow disease
Severe liver disease
DIC
Severe blood loss
Drug therapy
Infectious disease

Question 8

Name 2 causes of primary coagulopathies

Answer 8

DIC

Angiostrongylus (lungworm)

Question 9

Name some causes of secondary coagulopathies

Answer 9

Hepatic failure
Rodenticide poisoning
Heparin administration
Inherited

Question 10

How is IMHA diagnosed?

Answer 10

Coombs test - cannot be done if agglutination already evident
Alvedia anti-globulin test
(Micro or macro agglutination in saline)

Question 11

What on a blood smear suggests a regenerative anaemia?

Answer 11

Reticulocytosis

Polychromasia

Question 12

What is the most common cause of iron deficiency anaemia?

Answer 12

Chronic GI haemorrhage - NSAIDs, steroids renal failure, ulcers, neoplasia, IBD, parasites
(also due to diet deficiency, haemostatic defects or parasites)

Question 13

What type of anaemia is seen with iron deficiency?

Answer 13

Regenerative or non-regenerative

Microcytosis, hypochromia

Question 14

What is the treatment for iron deficiency anaemia?

Answer 14

Treat underlying cause - e.g. for GI haemorrhage sucralfate/raniditine/omeprazole (several hours apart from iron - GI drugs interferes with iron absorption)
Oral ferrous sulphate or IM iron dextran
Transfusion if unstable or prior to surgery

Question 15

What is the difference between regenerative and degenerative left shift?

Answer 15

Left shift = presence of band cells (acute inflammation)
Regenerative = also have neutrophilia
Degenerative = no neutrophilia (poorer Px)

Question 16

Toxic change usually suggests overwhelming acute inflammation. What is seen on cytology?

Answer 16

Increased basophilia (blue) of neutrophil cytoplasm, with vacuoles