Approach to diagnosing and managing anaemia in cats

Background: The primary role of red blood cells (RBCs) is the safe transport of oxygen-carrying haemoglobin from the lungs to the capillary beds. Anaemia is a common clinical and clinicopathological finding in cats, occurring when functional haemoglobin concentrations in blood are reduced. Although commonly attributed to a reduction in RBC numbers or mass, a reduced mean cell haemoglobin concentration and, rarely, haemoglobinopathies can also contribute. Clinical signs of anaemia range from subclinical to severe and life threatening, and primarily relate to reduced oxygen carrying capacity. Other signs relating to acute volume loss (eg, following haemorrhage), inflammation (eg, due to haemolysis) or the pathology underlying the anaemia may be of greater clinical relevance. The differential list for anaemia itself is long, but careful evaluation of clinicopathological changes can allow clinicians to narrow this list and focus investigation.

Aim of the article: This article discusses the common causes of anaemia in cats and how to make a definitive diagnosis, as well as the treatment options to correct the underlying cause.