Haematology Flashcards
What can haematology give an indication of?
Erythrocytes -Anaemia -erythrocytosis Leukocytes -Inflammatory conditions -Neoplastic conditions -chemotherapy Platelets -Bleeding disorders -DIC Plasma -look at colour
What colour would plasma be if heamolysis is present? And what colour should it be normally?
Pink. Normal is clear/straw coloured
What can be measured from the plasma?
Total protein
If an animal is scared, what may happen to its erythrocyte count and why?
It will increase as the spleen contracts.
What measurements are given out on a complete blood profile for erythrocytes?
RBC concentration HGB (total heamoglobin) HCT (haematocrit) and spun PCV - these are the same thing MCV (mean cell volume) MCH (mean cell heamoglobin) MCHC (mean cell haemoglobin concentration) RDW (red cell distribution width)
What does RDW give a measure of?
Red cell distribution width - this gives a measure of the variability in size of RBCs in a sample.
How can MCV and MCHC be described?
MCV - normocytic, macrocytic, microcytic MCHC - normochromic, hypochromic (hyperchromic)
What is a likely reason for having microcytic erythrocytes?
Fe defficiency as cells divide so they can reach the same iron concentration.
What are macrocytic erythrocytes likely to be and what do they indicate in terms of aneamia?
They are probably reticulocytes (polychromatophils). This indicates regenerative aneamia.
What do hypochromic cells indicate?
Fe deficiency
What are the reasons for a regenerative aneamia?
Heamorrhage or hemolysis.
What are the most common causes of non-regenerative anaemia?
Inflammatory chronic disease process Renal failure decreased marrow production
How long does one have to wait before being able to truly classify anaemia as non-regenerative?
3-4 days.
What is the difference between a polychromatophil and a reticulocyte?
Polychromatophil is what is seen on a normal blood stain Reticulocytes precipitate on staining with methylene blue, although they are the same type of cell.
What does the following picture show?
Reticulocytes