Haematology - Erythron Flashcards
What is haematology?
The study of the formed elements of the blood
What is the CBC?
The complete blood count - it consists of tests that evaluate rbcs, wbcs, platelets, and some other substances (TP, fibrinogen) in the peripheral blood.
What are the reasons for haematology?
- Screening procedure for health checks
- Additional info to sick animals
- Assess bodies ability to fight infection
- Can help for bone marrow exam
What is a PCV test? what is it else known as?
Determines the proportion of blood that is cellular (rbcs). It is else known as the hematocrit.
Determination of PCV
- Fill tube with 3/4 blood
- Seal with clay
- Place in centrifuge for 5 mins (10 for ruminant)
- Remove tube and place in reader
What are the normal PCV values for the dog and cat?
Dog: 0.37-0.55 L/L
Cat: 0.28-0.45 L/L
How is total protein (TP) measured?
By the plasma in the tube that was centrifuged. Snap the tube above the rbcs and buffy coat, put a drop of plasma onto a refractometer and look through eye piece to get result. The result is in g/dL.
What are the normal TP ranges in the dog and cat?
Dog: 5.4-7.5 g/dL
Cat: 6.0-7.9 g/dL
What does MCV refer to? What is the unit of measurement?
- It refers to how big the rbc is. The mean cell volume.
- Measured in femtolitres x10^15 L
What does MCHC refer to?
-Refers to the average ‘redness’ of a RBC (conc of Hb)
What is A) anisocytosis and B) polychromasia c) spherocytosis?
A) Refers to the amount of rbcs that are unequal in size (can be caused by anaemia)
B) Refers to a high number of immature rbcs in the blood due to being prematurely released by the BM.
C) Refers to rbcs that have no central pellar, are sphere shaped rather than biconcave, dark outline.
What are reticulocytes?
They are made in the BM. They are immature rbcs. Theyre big, 20% larger than regular blood cell.
Why do we do blood smears?
- Check morphology
- Compare smear and analyser results
- Check for cellular inclusions and parasites
- Differential white cell count
How are platelets counted?
Best counted by automated counters but can be done manually. >10-12 per 100x field. If <10-12 per 100x field, it suggests thrombocytopenia. Do a count.
What are acanthocytes?
They are thorn or spur cells, that have finger like projections. It is seen in liver disease, usually due to increased cholesterol.
