Haematology 2 Flashcards
ANAEMIA
ANAEMIA
A reduction in erythrocyte number AND/OR haemoglobin concentration.
ie. Decreased RBC, HCT (haematocrit)/PCV (packed cell volume), and/or Hb.
NOT a final diagnosis- the underlying cause must be found.
ACUTE ANAEMIA
Sudden onset, severe.
- Pallor
- Tachycardia
- Muscular weakness
- Subnormal temperature
- Coma
- Death
CHRONIC ANAEMIA
Longer duration.
- Fatigue/lethargy
- Exercise intolerance
- Tachycardia
- Fainting
- Pallor
- Cardiac murmur (decrease in blood viscosity causes increased turbulence)
WHAT CAUSES ANAEMIA?
- Decreased erythrocytes entering blood (eg. Decreased erythrocyte production, bone marrow issue)
- Increased exit of erythrocytes from blood.
If bone marrow is functioning NORMALLY, we see a 3-5 day preregenerative phase, then a REGENERATIVE PHASE where increased numbers of reticulocytes are seen in the blood.
TYPES OF ANAEMIA
- REGENERATIVE
2. NON REGENERATIVE
REGENERATIVE ANAEMIA
Caused by haemolysis (intravascular or extravascular) or haemorrhage (internal or external).
Characterised by:
- INCREASED RETICULOCYTES IN BLOOD- not horses!
- MACROCYTIC- RBCs are larger than normal (increased MCV)
- HYPOCHROMIC- decreased Hb concentration due to increased size.
- INCREASED POLYCHROMASIA/ANISOCYTOSIS- Increased number of reticulocytes (polychromatic red cells), variable size of cells.
- NUCLEATED RED CELLS are sometimes seen (eg. normoblasts). These are not the best way to decide if anaemia is regenerative or not- use reticulocyte presence.
- BASOPHILIC STIPPLING of RBCs can be seen in cattle.
HAEMORRHAGIC ANAEMIA
REGENERATIVE.
Seen after blood loss (acute/chronic/coagulopathy), can be INTERNAL OR EXTERNAL.
Marrow response will differ depending on internal or external haemorrhage.
BLOOD FINDINGS- normal in first few days- preregenerative phase (3-5 days).
-Regenerative phase- polychromasia, anisocytosis, HJ bodies, thrombocytosis, neutrophilia, MACROCYTIC HYPOCHROMIC.
POLYCHROMASIA
Increased polychromatic red cells- RETICULOCYTES
ANISOCYTOSIS
Variable size of red cells.
HJ BODIES
Howell-Jolly bodies- fragments of basophilic nuclei within erythrocytes.
THROMBOCYTOSIS
Increased platelets in blood
NEUTROPHILIA
Increased neutrophils in blood.
MACROCYTIC/HYPOCHROMIC
Characteristic of regenerative anaemias.
Macrocytic- Increased mean cell volume (MCV)/cell size.
Hypochromic- Decreased MCH/MCHC due to increased cell size. Gives cells an increased area of central pallor.
(red blood cells)
DEGREE OF REGENERATION- HAEMORRHAGIC ANAEMIA
Degree of regeneration depends on:
-Severity of blood loss- more severe= more marrow stimulation= more regeneration.
-Location of bleeding:
INTERNAL (eg. in to body cavities)- iron is available for Hb synthesis, so greater regeneration is seen.
EXTERNAL (eg. GI, urinary tract bleed)- RBCs and thus iron are lost, so less regeneration is seen.
PROTEIN is also lost -> hypoproteinaemia (classically PANHYPOPROTEINAEMIA- decreased PLASMA proteins)
HAEMOLYTIC ANAEMIA
REGENERATIVE.
2 important features: Reduced RBC survival time,
iron from destroyed RBCs is RETAINED IN THE BODY.
This means that haemolytic anaemia is VERY REGENERATIVE, as iron can be reused.
Red cells can be EXTRAVASCULARLY or INTRAVASCULARLY lysed.