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Diagnostic bone marrow sampling in cats
1VCA MidWest Veterinary Referral & Emergency Center, 9706 Mockingbird Drive, Omaha, NE, 68127, USA.
Insights
This review details feline bone marrow sampling for cytology and histopathology, offering best practices for diagnosing common hematologic disorders in cats. It aims to increase veterinarian confidence in these essential diagnostic procedures.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Hematology
- Diagnostic Cytology
Background:
- Hematologic disorders are common in cats, affecting bone marrow.
- Bone marrow cytology and histopathology are crucial for diagnosis.
- Veterinarians may find these procedures challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review indications for feline bone marrow sampling.
- To detail bone marrow collection for cytology and histopathology.
- To enhance veterinarian proficiency in these techniques.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of feline bone marrow sampling techniques.
- Analysis of accepted best practices for cytology and histopathology collection.
- Review of potential complications and limitations.
Main Results:
- Established indications for bone marrow sampling in cats.
- Detailed protocols for bone marrow collection.
- Overview of potential risks and limitations.
Conclusions:
- Bone marrow sampling is vital for diagnosing feline hematologic diseases.
- This review provides practical guidance for veterinarians.
- Increased understanding can improve patient care and outcomes.
Abstract:
Practical relevance: Hematologic disorders are relatively common in cats, as inflammatory, immune-mediated and infectious diseases have the potential to impact erythroid, myeloid and thrombopoietic lines within the bone marrow. Clinical challenges: Clinicians often benefit from information obtained from bone marrow cytology and histopathology in diagnosing hematologic disorders in feline patients. However, these sampling procedures are ones that many veterinarians are intimidated by and thus not comfortably performing in clinical practice.
Audience:
This review, aimed at all veterinarians who treat cats, highlights the reasons a clinician may elect to sample bone marrow, and details the collection of bone marrow for both cytology and histopathology. Potential complications and limitations of each procedure are also reviewed. Evidence base: The collection of bone marrow for cytology and histopathology is not new to feline medicine and several research studies have investigated various sampling modalities in cats. This article offers a comprehensive review of the currently accepted best practices.
