How to judge cat anemia

Anemia generally refers to the state that the number of red blood cells and heme in peripheral blood vessels decreases. Blood test can find that the number of red blood cells (RBC) decreases, or the concentration of hematocrit (PCV), hemoglobin (Hb) or red blood cell count is lower than normal.

Red blood cells are produced in bone marrow and released into the blood, circulating in the blood for about two months. They will disappear from the blood with age or injury. Then, their components are recovered to form new red blood cells. The number of red blood cells may be reduced due to the reduction or reduction of red blood cell production. Hemoglobin delivers oxygen to cells and tissues of the body, and anemia patients will have symptoms related to hypoxia.

In the case of anemia, the ability of red blood cells to deliver oxygen to various tissues and organs of the body will decrease, which will lead to poor spirit, malnutrition, dyspnea, tachycardia, organ abnormalities and other symptoms. Anemic cats have decreased activity, decreased exercise tolerance, increased breathing times, accelerated breathing and pale mucosa.

Causes of anemia

Anemia is a very complicated situation. The first step in checking anemia is to determine whether anemia is regenerative or non-regenerative. Aplastic anemia refers to the decrease of red blood cells, and bone marrow can still make red blood cells, which is generally marked by the existence of reticulocytes. Non-aplastic anemia refers to anemia with decreased bone marrow function and decreased ability to make red blood cells.

The causes of aplastic anemia include three categories:

1. Blood loss: external parasites such as bleeding, thrombocytopenia, external blood loss (urethral bleeding, nosebleeds, injuries), internal blood loss or invisible blood loss (gastrointestinal tract, peritoneum, pleura) and fleas caused by coagulation disorders such as trauma, tumor or operation.

2. Hemolysis: the decline of liver function caused by red blood cell parasites (Bartonella), immune-mediated destruction, microangiopathic hemolytic diseases, hemolytic anemia of newborn cats, onion poisoning and chemical substances (acetaminophen, phenol, etc.). ).

3. Increased local intravascular blood volume: splenomegaly caused by aneuploidy.

The causes of non-aplastic anemia include two types:

1, intramedullary: hematopoietic organ tumors, bone marrow dysplasia, bone marrow and extramedullary proliferative tumors, erythropoiesis (vitamin B 12, folic acid, iron, copper, amino acids, vitamin B6 deficiency).

2. Extramedullary: chronic inflammatory diseases (such as feline infectious peritonitis), chronic nephropathy, tumor, malnutrition or hunger, leukopenia, leukemia, feline AIDS, etc.

Diagnosis of anemia

Let's talk about the symptoms of anemia first: Anemia has different clinical symptoms because of its degree, time and development speed. The main symptoms are as follows (bold * * * symptomatic).

Visible mucosal pale jaundice (hemolytic anemia), mental depression, lethargy, exercise intolerance, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath or dyspnea, rough fur, malnutrition and emaciation, hematuria, splenomegaly and hepatomegaly (hemolytic anemia), lymphadenopathy and blood spots (non-regenerative anemia and poisoning).

Anemia is mainly diagnosed by routine blood tests, and the most common test for anemia is hematocrit (PCV). In a normal cat, 25-45% of the blood is red blood cells. If the PCV is less than 25%, the cat is anaemic. Other tests to detect anemia include red blood cell count and hemoglobin count. Besides red blood cells, parasites, Heinz corpuscles and other morphological changes should also be examined. In addition, dyeing, reticulocyte counting and bone marrow puncture are needed.

Biochemical examination and urine analysis are other important examinations for anemic cats. These tests assess organ function and electrolyte levels, and provide important information about the overall health of cats. The examination of fecal parasites is very important to determine whether there are parasites in the intestine that may cause blood loss.

Finally, cats with anemia should be tested for feline leukemia virus (FELV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), because these viruses are common causes of anemia.