Anemia in dog

RE: Anemia in dog

Thomas Johnson — Fri, 07 Oct 2016 09:02:34 GMT

[quote user="Stigen"]Have`nt done bone marrow sampling for like 10 years now, so gotta figure out a good way to do that. [/quote]

I did one last Summer having only done a couple previously, and the last one before that probably about 5 years ago. I used the technique in the BSAVA Haematology Manual and it was quite straightforward, and I got good samples on the aspirates and the biopsy. So don't be too scared of doing it!

RE: Anemia in dog

Jenny Harris — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 20:02:39 GMT

Just a thought but before doing anything invasive if the funds are available perhaps consider a specialist ultrasound scan? Often can give you a lot of information. Also echo what people have said about faecal occult blood. If you had pre existing GI ulceration for any reason then your preds could have made it worse and hence the progressive anaemia? What was the rationale behind the preds?

also just a thought but is it worth ruling out addisons given the initial lymphocytosis and hyponatraemia? Any waxing waning GI signs in the history?

and what is the 'urinary problems' history? Any urinalysis and culture carried out? Prostate checked as entire?

RE: Anemia in dog

Stigen — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 11:22:58 GMT

Thanks for the advice, very helpful!

Have`nt done bone marrow sampling for like 10 years now, so gotta figure out a good way to do that.

At the moment the dog seems stable , eating and drinking okeish, and active.Guess the steroids are helping some. It is however taking a peculiar interest in eating soil/gravel at the moment. Has not had any digestive issues though. The hematology values keep dropping each time we check it.

Leptospira/leishmannia is further out on my differential, as the dog has not been abroad, and we don`t have these diseases where I practice(Norway). Anaplasma, Borrelia and Babesia(very rare) could however be worth ruling out by serology. None of these were seen in the blood smears though, but my blood smears were of a poor quality though..

RE: Anemia in dog

Anthony Dennison — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 09:44:29 GMT

[quote user="Thomas Johnson"]I would have thought that if it was an internal bleed you would have started to see a regenerative response by now, and the mean cell volume is still normal so it still looks non-regenerative. I would consider survey radiographs, and you may get more information on the bladder with a double contrast radiograph, but I would also be considering a bone marrow aspirate and biopsy as you could be looking at anaemia due to reduced red cell production.[/quote]

+1 to this. If it's non regenerative and has been going on for sometime, it's likely a production issue. Get a bone marrow sample, and do a tumour hunt under the same GA.

RE: Anemia in dog

Alicia Gonzalez — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 22:38:07 GMT

Anything on the clinical examination? Hyperthermia? Linfonodes?

The haematology suggests infection/inflamation, alb/glob ratio under 1, as well.

I would test for blood parasites, mainly leishmania (see in anamnesis if at risk) because of the non regenerative anemia and trombocytopenia, but other riketssia and lepto should be on the differentials as well.

If it was my case I will put it under doxy -if negatif to leish-, as the anemia is getting worse, waiting for other serologies/ bone marrow biopsie report.

RE: Anemia in dog

Thomas Johnson — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 18:33:04 GMT

[quote user="Stigen"]Any suggestions as to where to go next with this case. Apparently it is bleeding internally somewhere, so thinking maybe I should open it up and have a look? Maybe there is a tumour in the bladder wall, or any other duggestions for further diagnostics or medical options ? [/quote]

I would have thought that if it was an internal bleed you would have started to see a regenerative response by now, and the mean cell volume is still normal so it still looks non-regenerative. I would consider survey radiographs, and you may get more information on the bladder with a double contrast radiograph, but I would also be considering a bone marrow aspirate and biopsy as you could be looking at anaemia due to reduced red cell production.

RE: Anemia in dog

Robin Grimmer — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 16:33:45 GMT

There's quite a discrepancy between your in house haematocrit and the external lab. Can you do a manual pcv to check? I would repeat the external haematology and make your own smears and send these off. I think if you had an internal bleed you would have seen free fluid on abdominal ultrasound.

Looks like a non regenerative anaemia. I would do a tumour hunt so would also x ray the chest and maybe do a faecal occult blood to see if there is blood loss in the gi tract.