Veterinary Hematology: Leukogram Patterns and Leukemia Classification

What is neutrophilia?

Increased numbers of circulating neutrophils.

What physiological conditions can cause neutrophilia?

Excitement/physiological, stress, inflammation, and rarely granulocytic leukemia or neutrophil dysfunction.

what happens in the physiological response secondary to epinephrine release

excitement, fear, vigorous exercise, mild mature neutrophilia, lymphocytosis, monocytosis, short lived common in young animals

what happens in the stress response of endogenous cortisol/ exogenous corticosteriods

mild to moderate mature nuetrophila, lymphopenia, eosinopenia, monocytosis last 24hrs or longer if prolonged steroid exposure

What is a stress leukogram?

A leukogram pattern characterized by mild to moderate mature neutrophilia, lymphopenia, eosinopenia, and possibly monocytosis due to stress.

What defines an inflammatory leukogram?

Increased neutrophils due to tissue demand, often with mild to marked neutrophilia, lymphopenia, and monocytosis, possible presence of left shift or toxic change

What is toxic change in neutrophils?

Changes in neutrophils due to severe inflammation, including Döhle bodies, increased cytoplasmic basophilia, and toxic granulation.

what can cause neutropenia

toxins/drugs, infectious agents, neoplasia or myelodysplastic syndrome

What causes eosinophilia?

Increased eosinophils due to IL-5 release by T cells and histamine release by mast cells, often in parasitic or allergic conditions, hypoadrenocorticism

What is eosinopenia?

Deficiency of circulating eosinophils, often due to endo/exogenous steroid effects.

What is monocytosis?

Increased numbers of circulating monocytes, often due to excitement, stress, or inflammation.

what might basophilia indicate

parasitic, allergic, neoplastic reaction

What is lymphocytosis?

Increased numbers of circulating lymphocytes, often due to physiological responses or chronic inflammation, in young animals, post-vaccination

What is lymphopenia?

Deficiency of circulating lymphocytes, often due to acute inflammation or stress.

What is hematopoietic neoplasia?

Clonal proliferation of haematopoietic progenitor cells resulting from mutations, leading to conditions like leukaemia and lymphoma.

what are some specific agents of hematopoietic neoplasia

retroviruses, herpesviruses

What are the two main classifications of leukaemia?

Acute (immature cells) and chronic (mature cells).

What are the consequences of leukaemia?

Myelophthisis, extramedullary haematopoiesis,splenomegaly, hemodynamic and potential hyperviscosity syndrome.

what is myelophthsis

replacement of bone marrow population with cancerous cells

what are the signs of regenerative left shift

neutrophilia with mainly mature neutrophils and some immature forms

what are the signs of non-regenerative left shift

more immature form than mature neutrophils, norm neutrophil count mildly raised or reduced

What are common clinical signs of acute leukaemia?

Lethargy, anorexia, weight loss, pyrexia, limb lameness, and bleeding tendencies neurological signs.

What characterizes chronic leukaemia?

Slow onset, often asymptomatic, with well-differentiated neoplastic cells in circulation, essential throbocythanemia,

What is the typical age group for acute leukaemia in animals?

Any age, but particularly younger animals.

What are the three main leukogram patterns?

Physiologic, stress, and inflammatory.

What species differences exist in response to inflammation?

Dogs and cats show marked neutrophilia, while ruminants may show neutropenia initially.

What is a leukaemoid reaction?

Very high neutrophil count with a strong left shift.

What are the common causes of neutropenia?

Increased use due to inflammation, decreased production, or immune-mediated destruction.

What types of neoplasia are included in haematopoietic neoplasia?

Leukaemia, lymphoma, plasma cell tumours, and mast cell tumours.

What is the clinical importance of neutropenia?

It increases the risk of infection due to reduced neutrophil levels.

what are the clinical signs of chronic leukemia

gradual weight loss, lethargy, possible splenomegaly/hepatomegaly