Hospital-acquired Anemia in Critically Ill Dogs and Cats: A Multi-Institutional Study

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Comparative Pathology

Background:

• Hospital-acquired anemia is a known complication in human medicine.
• Limited data exists on the prevalence and risk factors of hospital-acquired anemia in veterinary patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of hospital-acquired anemia in critically ill hospitalized dogs and cats.
• To investigate the association between anemia development and phlebotomy practices, blood product administration, and survival to discharge.

Main Methods:

• A multicenter, observational study involving 851 client-owned animals (688 dogs, 163 cats).
• Packed cell volume (PCV) was measured at admission and throughout hospitalization.
• Data collected included signalment, number of blood samples, underlying disease, blood product administration, hospitalization duration, and survival.

Main Results:

• Overall prevalence of hospital-acquired anemia was 56%, with 32% of patients anemic on admission.
• Anemic patients had significantly more blood samples drawn compared to non-anemic patients.
• Hospitalized cats had a higher likelihood of developing anemia than dogs, while anemic dogs had lower survival rates. Surgical patients faced a higher risk of developing hospital-acquired anemia.

Conclusions:

• Hospital-acquired anemia is a frequent complication in critically ill animals, particularly in surgical cases.
• Phlebotomy practices require further investigation for their direct impact on anemia development.
• Understanding these factors is crucial for improving patient outcomes in veterinary critical care.