Grant Amount: $3,841.93

Dr. Erin Portillo, DVM, Iowa State University

February 1, 2005 - January 31, 2006

Breed(s): -All Dogs

Disease(s): Anemia

Abstract

Anemia is a clinical manifestation of an underlying disease process. Clinical symptoms associated with anemia include weakness, collapse, elevated heart and respiratory rates, and inappetance. There are many clinical conditions that cause anemia including but not limited to: Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA), chronic renal disease, rickettsial disease, some drug therapy, blood loss, toxicities, nutritional deficiencies and chronic disease or inflammation. Indications to transfuse are not well defined and the decision to transfuse is ultimately dependent on the patient�s packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin concentration and patient�s clinical signs. Transfusion of blood products is not benign treatment and is associated with risks, including transfusion reactions and sepsis, not to mention the escalating costs of blood products. The purpose of this prospective study is to determine the incidence of anemia in dogs admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). All dogs admitted to the small animal ICU at Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine will be eligible for inclusion in the study. The study will be performed over a 30 day period. Dogs will be enrolled in the study if they have a PCV on admission of less than 37 percent. All dogs participating in the study will have a Complete Blood Count (CBC) and reticulocyte count evaluated at admission. The dog�s signalment, final diagnosis, length of hospitalization, clinical complications, transfusion therapies, cause of the anemia and any treatments specifically targeted for the anemia will also be recorded. The blood counts will be characterized into regenerative and nonregenerative, physiologic or pathologic, etc. Red Blood Cell (RBC) characteristics such as Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MHCH) an morphologic characteristics will also be recorded to help determine which dogs to transfuse.