Ch. 5 Hematologic Disorders in Small Animals

Chapter 1: Introduction

• Focus on blood disorders for the exam, not immunology.
• Chapter 5 discusses various disorders but will concentrate on heme disorders.
• Final exam set for a week from Friday, 11 AM to 1 PM; discussions on rescheduling.
• Exam will mostly consist of new material with some significant prior concepts.
• Mention of ongoing education regarding rabies and related case studies.
• Discussion of intersex cases with recent examples provided.

Chapter 2: Understanding Heme Disorders

• Definition of Heme Disorder: Disease affecting bone marrow leading to issues in blood production.
• Importance of blood donation for stimulating bone marrow.
• Connection between anemia and underlying disorders:
  • Anemia causes include both intrinsic (genetic) and extrinsic factors (infections and toxins).
• Types of Anemia:
  • Regenerative Anemia: Bone marrow actively produces red blood cells.
  • Non-regenerative Anemia: Bone marrow fails to produce adequate red blood cells.
• Other blood disorders:
  • Leukocytosis (increased white blood cells) and Leukopenia (decreased white blood cells).
  • Thrombocytopenia: Low platelet count leading to clotting issues.

Chapter 3: Common Disorders in Small Animals

• Common Immunological Disorders:
  • Anemia Types: Regenerative vs Non-regenerative.
• Mechanisms: Exposure to toxins (e.g., rodenticides) leads to significant health issues in pets.
• Inherited conditions can predispose pets to specific blood disorders (e.g., von Willebrand's in Doberman Pinschers).

Chapter 4: Diagnosis and Examination Methods

• Diagnostic Procedures:
  • Complete blood count (CBC) using blood samples.
  • Blood smear evaluation: Identifies cell types and abnormalities.
• Blood Smear Definitions:
  • Polychromasia: Variation in red blood cell color.
  • Spherocytes: Red blood cells without central pallor – indicative of hemolytic anemia.
• Bone marrow analysis is painful and performed under sedation; usually reserved for severe cases.
• Imaging techniques assess organ health (spleen, liver).

Chapter 5: Clinical Presentation of Hematological Disorders

• Normal blood morphology: Central pallor visible in healthy red blood cells.
• Treatment Options:
  • Blood transfusions for severe anemia.
  • Erythropoietin therapy helps stimulate red blood cell production.
• Secondary treatment for coagulopathy includes vitamin K or plasma transfusions.

Chapter 6: Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA)

• Case Study of Bella:
  • Five-year-old cocker spaniel with lethargy, jaundice, dark urine.
• Key physical findings during examination: Pale mucous membranes, signs of jaundice (icterus), mild splenomegaly.
• Typical symptoms: Lethargy, weak, pale mucous membranes indicating anemia.
• Diagnosis through blood smear reveals spherocytes, confirming IMHA.
• Treatment includes steroids, with potential poor prognosis depending on severity.

Chapter 7: Conclusion

• Recognizing symptoms of anemia is critical for timely treatment.
• Importance of veterinary intervention for conditions like IMHA; not suitable for home remedy approaches.
• Emotional aspects: Owners facing difficult decisions regarding treatment outcomes for pets.
• Acknowledgment that IMHA is a serious condition that may lead to euthanasia if unmanageable.