الجمعة، 6 سبتمبر 2013

Anemia Due to Bone Marrow Failure (or Toxicity) in Cats

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Bone marrow plays a pivotal role in the constant replenishment of important cells like red blood cells (RBCs), granulocytes (or white blood cells [WBCs]), and platelets. Once these cells reach the point of maturation they are released into the blood stream. According to one estimate, in various mammals about three million red blood cells are released in one second. This demonstrates the extensive amount of work done by the bone marrow in keeping the numbers of these cells within normal ranges in the body.

Aplastic anemia is a diseased condition resulting from the bone marrow's inability to replenish blood cells. Where aplastic refers to the dysfunction of an organ, and anemia refers to a lack of red blood cells. One of the causes for this disease involves replacement of normal bone marrow tissue by adipose (fat) tissue, thus minimizing the functional capacity of the bone marrow to produce cells. As a result, the numbers of RBCs, WBCs, and platelets are reduced to far below normal levels. RBCs are vital for carrying oxygen and in removing the waste carbon dioxide from body. WBCs help in fighting infections and foreign particles, whereas platelets are responsible for clotting the blood to prevent hemorrhage. All symptoms seen in aplastic anemia directly relate to functions of these cells. In most cases of aplastic anemia, all three types of cells are affected. If left untreated this condition will lead to death in severely affected cats.

All three types of cells affected in this disease have different roles to play in normal body functions, therefore, the symptoms will vary depending on the type of cells mostly affected and the severity of the problem. Following are some of the symptoms related to aplastic anemia.

Recurrent infectionsFeverPetechial hemorrhage (red or purple spots on skin due to tiny hemorrhages)Hematuria (blood in urine)Nosebleed (epistaxis)Melena (black colored feces due to hemorrhages in gastrointestinal tract)Pale mucous membraneWeaknessLethargy

There are a variety of causes for aplastic anemia, including infections, toxins, drugs, and chemicals which may cause aplastic anemia in cats. Following are some major causes of aplastic anemia in cats:

Infections Feline leukemia virus (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)Feline Parvovirus infectionRikettsial organism infections, e.g., ehrlichiaDrugs and chemicals Estrogen administrationMethimazole (use to manage hyperthyroidism (over activity of the thyroid gland))Albendazole (for parasitic treatment)Some antibioticsNSAIDs (given for relief of pain and inflammation)Chemotherapeutic drug administrationRadiation therapy in cancer patients

You will need to give a thorough history of your cat's health and onset of symptoms. Your veterinarian will perform a physical examination with full laboratory testing, including complete blood tests, biochemical profiles, and urinalysis. The results of these tests will provide valuable information for the preliminary diagnosis. The count of various cells will be determined; counts that are far below the normal ranges are considered a positive result. Your veterinarian will also evaluate your cat for the presence of any infectious diseases, but the most valuable test in the diagnosis of aplastic anemia is bone marrow sampling. In this test a small sample of bone marrow will be collected through aspiration or biopsy. The microscopic studies will reveal the important information related to the architecture of the bone marrow and any developmental problems of the various cells in the bone marrow.

An increase in the number of bad white blood cells

A special type of tissue that exudes mucus

An in-depth examination of the properties of urine; used to determine the presence or absence of illness

A condition of the blood in which normal red blood cell counts or hemoglobin are lacking.

The process of removing tissue to examine it, usually for medical reasons.

Refers to the quality of being fat or full of fat.

The digestive tract containing the stomach and intestine

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