Polycythaemia

Question 1

What is the difference between primary and secondary polycythaemia

Answer 1

Primary - not controlled by EPO

Secondary - controlled by EPO production

Question 2

What is relative polycythaemia

Answer 2

Most common form

Increased RBC, PCV and Hb. Due to decreased plasma volume

Question 3

What causes relative polycythaemia

Answer 3

Dehydration

Or

Splenic contraction - excited animals
Red cell restored in spleen when excited contract and release

Question 4

What is polycythaemia 1 absolute

Answer 4

Uncontrolled expansion of RBC - mutation

Leads to red adult bone marrow )rare I. Animals

Question 5

Myeloproliferative

Answer 5

Disease of bone marrow in which excess cells are produced

Question 6

What is polycythaemia 2 absolute

Answer 6

Problem out with bone marrow stimulated excess production of EPO

Appropriate
Hypoxia - lack of oxygen - more RBC to carry oxygen

Inappropriate
Nothing stimulating uncontrollable

Question 7

What causes chronic hypoxia (to stimulate appropriate polycythaemia 2 absolute)

Answer 7

Cardiovascular disease

Chronic respiratory disease

Question 8

What causes inappropriate EPO production

Answer 8

Kidney neoplasm (tumour) 
Or neoplasms in general

Question 9

Clinical signs of relative polycythaemia

Answer 9

Dehydration

• tacky mucus membranes
• sunken eyes
• increased skin tent

Question 10

Clinical signs of absolute polycythaemia

Answer 10

High RBC numbers, increased blood thickness

Weakness - muscles unoxygenated

Signs attributable to underlying process (cv disease or respiratory disease)

Question 11

What is polycythaemia

Answer 11

Increased red cell mass

• increased RBC concentration HCT,PCV Hb
• increased production of RBC