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Red cell morphologic alterations in cats with hepatic disease.
Mary M. Christopher1, Shannon E> Lee
1Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610.
Veterinary Clinical Pathology
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Feline hepatic disease frequently causes abnormal red blood cell (RBC) shapes, particularly acanthocytes. Cats with hepatic lipidosis showed a higher likelihood of poikilocytosis, indicating altered RBC morphology in liver conditions.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Hematology
- Feline Pathology
Background:
- Hepatic disease is common in cats.
- Red blood cell (RBC) morphology can be affected by systemic diseases.
- Previous studies on RBC changes in feline liver disease are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To retrospectively evaluate red blood cell (RBC) morphology in cats with diagnosed hepatic disease.
- To identify specific types of RBC alterations associated with various feline liver conditions.
- To correlate RBC morphology changes with specific diagnoses and serum chemistry values.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of medical records from 39 cats with hepatic disease.
- Evaluation of complete blood counts and serum chemistry results.
- Morphological assessment of stained blood smears for red blood cell abnormalities.
Main Results:
- Poikilocytosis (abnormal RBC shape) was present in 56% of cats.
- Acanthocytes were the most common abnormal RBC type (62.6%), found in all cats with poikilocytosis.
- Cats with hepatic lipidosis were more likely to exhibit poikilocytosis; elevated total cholesterol was linked to marked RBC changes.
Conclusions:
- Hepatic disease in cats commonly leads to significant alterations in red blood cell morphology.
- Acanthocytosis is a hallmark RBC change in feline liver disease.
- RBC morphology evaluation can provide valuable diagnostic information in cats with hepatic conditions, especially hepatic lipidosis.