Depression Anemia
Johanna L. Watson • Gary P. Carlson
The most common form of anemia in domestic animals is associated with inadequate erythropoiesis or bone marrow depression. Depression anemia can be caused by (1) deficiencies of vitamins or minerals essential for erythrocyte production, (2) systemic disease processes that interfere with normal erythropoiesis, or (3) processes that damage or displace normal bone marrow elements.
Common causes of depression anemia are listed in Box 37.2. Depression anemia is mild to moderate in severity and generally is slowly progressive. Depressed erythropoiesis is occasionally associated with processes that also result in blood loss and/or an increased rate of erythrocyte destruction. When this occurs, a profound rapidly progressive and potentially life-threatening anemia can develop. With the possible exception of chronic iron or copper deficiency, depression anemia tends to be normocytic and normochromic. Bone marrow evaluation is an extremely useful diagnostic tool in animals with nutritional deficiencies or when bone marrow damage or dyscrasia is suspected.
More on the topic Depression Anemia:
-
Veterinarian -