Module 8 - Blood Flashcards
What is CBC, what does it test for & what kind of sample is need to perform it?
complete blood count - numerical count of cells in blood (RBCs, WBCs, platelets) also Hct/PCV (RBC % in blood). Performed on serum
Define anaemia & polycythaemia…?
anaemia -> low RBC count
polycythaemia -> high RBC count
Describe what happens when animal is anaemic…? What are the different ypes of anaemia?
low RBCs or [Hb] in blood -> decreased O2-carrying capacity
- Fe-defiency anaemia
- Pernicious anaemia
- haemorrhagic anaemia
- haemolytic anaemia
- Thalassaemia
- Aplastic anaemia
Describe Fe-deficiency anaemia…? Which animal is it common in & why?
low absorption of Fe Excessive loss of Fe increased Fe requirement Insufficient intake of Fe common in piglets because of rapid growth & lack of Fe in sows milk
Describe pernicious anaemia…?
insufficient haemopoiesis from inability of stomach to produce intrinsic factor
Describe haemorrhagic anaemia…?
Excessive RBC loss thru bleeding (from large wounds, gastric ulcers)
Describe haemolytic anaemia…?
RBC plasma membrane ruptures prematurely -> haemoglobin in plasma -> may damage glomeruli in kidneys
May result from: INCOMPATIBLE TRANSFUSED BLOOD, inherited defects (abnormal RBC enzymes), parasites, toxins (eg paracetamol),
Describe thalassaemia…?
Primarily in pop’s from countries bordering Mediterranean Sea
deficient synthesis of haemoglobin
group of hereditary haemolytic anaemias in humans
consists of alpha-thalassaemia & beta-thalassaemia
Describe aplastic anaemia…?
destruction of red bone marrow
usually acquired (some unusual inherited forms)
Acquired immune mediated - autoreactive lymphocytes -> destruction of haemopoietic stem cells
Causes: mostly idiopathic and sometimes drugs, viruses & toxins
Treated with allogenic bone-marrow transplantation & immunosuppression
Describe polycythaemia…?
high RBC mass (opposite to anaemia)
may be RELATIVE or ABSOLUTE
relative - increased RBC mass & decreased plasma volume (shock & dehydration & animals treated with heart meds or diuretics)
absolute - increase RBC mass WITHOUT decreased plasma volume
Rare, but described in cats & dogs & cattle
What blood test would you run if you suspect an infection? Why? What are the paramaters & what do they tell us?
CBC - as it includes a % & absolute number (always more important number) of WBCs (leukocytes) -> may indicate, infection (high WBC) or autoimmune & blood diseases (low)
A high/low neutrophil count would most likely indicate what?
high -> bacterial infection
low -> increased risk of infection
A high/low lymphocyte count would most likely indicate what?
high -> viral infections
low -> hepatitis & lymphoma
A high eosinophil count would most likely indicate what?
high -> allergies or parasitic infection
A high monocyte count would most likely indicate what?
high -> blood diseases, certain infections, or auto-immune diseases
A high basophil count would most likely indicate what?
blood diseases
What does a total protein (TP) test involve & indicate?
includes albumin & globulins
high -> dehydration or immune system stimulated -> lots of Ab’s
low -> damaged liver or intestine or abnormal immune sys -> cannot produce Ab’s
What does an albumin test involve & indicate?
albumin - small protein produced by LIVER
low -> damaged liver or lost thru damaged intestine or in urine in kidney disease
high -> dehydration
What does a alkaline phosphatase test involve & indicate?
originates from many tissues in body
increased [phosphatase] -> most commonly caused by liver disease, bone disease, increased cortisol levels due to drugs given (pred) or Cushing’s disease
Cats - high -> due to liver & bone disease
What does a blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test involve & indicate?
influenced by liver, kidneys & dehydration
low -> liver disease
high -> kidney disease (75% damage -> before increase in BUN), severely dehydrated
What does a blood glucose (BG) test involve & indicate?
high - cats & dogs with diabetes mellitus
mildly increased in dogs with Cushing’s
low [BG] -> pancreatic cancer or sepsis -> depression or seizures
also, low [BG] if sample incorrectly handled
RBC use glucose so typically plasma or serum used for test
Blood groups in horses…?
> 30 blood groups
8 major systems - 7 internationally recognised
A, C, D, K, P, Q, U
One of research interest T