Hematologic emergencies: anemia Flashcards
this is a condition characterized by an abnormally low number of circulating RBC’s
anemia
anemia may result from 3 basic things
- increased RBC loss (hemorrhage)
- increased RBC destruction (hemolysis)
- decreased RBC production in bone marrow
what can cause increased RBC destruction (3)?
- immune-mediated hemolytic anemia
- erythrocyte metabolism defect
- toxins in high quantities
what two toxins in high quantities can cause RBC destruction?
- onions
- zinc
immune-mediated hemolytic anemia often happens with 4 things
- autoimmune thrombocytopenia
- cancer
- vaccines
- drugs
decreased RBC production in the bone marrow can be caused by 4 things
- FeLV, FIV
- infection
- chronic renal failure (erythropoietin)
- iron deficiency
- vitamin B12 deficiency
clinical signs of anemia (6)
- caused from a lack of O2 carrying capacity - O2 doesn’t get to the tissues as much
- lethargy
- weakness
- pale MM
- TACHYcardia
- TACHYpnea
- bounding pulses (icterus)
icterus is caused by
hemolysis - hemoglobin breakdown turning things yellow
3 diagnostic tests for anemia
- PCV
- RBC count
- reticulocyte count
normal dog PCV
37 - 54%
normal cat PCV
30 - 47%
normal dog RBC count
5.5 - 8.5
normal cat RBC count
6 - 10
6 tests to diagnose causes of anemia
- platelet count
- coagulation tests
- Saline agglutination test
- Coomb’s test
- blood chemistry panel
- tick-transmitted disease blood panel
this test can be used to find out if animal has AIHA/IMHA
Saline agglutination test
this test is a send-out lab test
Coomb’s test
this test can be used to see if you have a liver problem
blood chemistry panel
3 steps of anemia treatment
- stabilize the critical patient with appropriate treatment
- diagnose and treat the primary cause
- admin blood transfusion if necessary
3 ways to help stabilize the anemic patient
- control the hemorrhage
- replace the lost blood volume
- provide O2 supplementation
