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Anemias: Characteristics 1198.e1

Anemias: Characteristics
VetBooks.ir Conclusions That May Be Drawn From Hematologic Data

Hematologic Conclusion Typical Evidence
Regenerative anemia Appropriate degree of reticulocytosis, polychromasia for severity of the anemia; requires time (3-5 days) from
onset of anemia to become regenerative
Nonregenerative anemia Insufficient increase in reticulocytes for the severity and duration of the anemia
Hemolytic anemia Normal plasma protein, hyperbilirubinemia, bilirubinuria, +/− hemolyzed serum, +/− hemoglobinuria, apparent
cause of hemolysis (e.g., RBC parasites, spherocytes); often very regenerative assuming several days since onset
of anemia
Blood-loss anemia Regenerative anemia with normal to decreased plasma protein or proof of blood loss; regenerative response
requires 3-5 days from onset of anemia; may become nonregenerative due to iron deficiency if chronic
hemorrhage
Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) Moderate to marked spherocytosis, autoagglutination, and/or positive Coombs’ test; often very regenerative
assuming anemia is of several days’ duration
Oxidant-induced hemolytic anemia Increased numbers of Heinz bodies, eccentrocytes, and methemoglobinemia; regenerative response depends on
duration of anemia
Fragmentation anemia Increased number of keratocytes, schizocytes, or acanthocytes; regenerative response depends on duration of
anemia
Iron-deficiency anemia Microcytic hypochromic anemia with variable regeneration
Differentials, Lists, and Mnemonics
Modified from Willard M, Tvedten H: Small animal clinical diagnosis by laboratory methods, ed 5, St. Louis, 2012, Saunders.

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