Clinical analysis of blood in a cat deciphering the norm. Blood test in cats: norm, general indicators and interpretation of the results

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Blood cells are primarily formed and developed in bone marrow- in tissues that are located in the cavities of the bones. The blood circulating through the cat's body is essential for many vital functions. It delivers oxygen and nutrients (such as vitamins, minerals, fats and sugars) to the tissues of all organs. The blood carries carbon dioxide to the lungs, from where it is excreted into the environment. Waste substances are removed from the kidneys with the help of blood. The blood carries hormones, which are "chemical signals" to different parts of the body, allowing them to communicate and work together. The blood also contains cells that destroy infection and platelets that help control bleeding.

The blood of a cat (as well as other mammals) is a complex liquid mixture of plasma(liquid part), red and white blood cells and platelets. Red blood cells serve mainly to supply the tissues of the cat's body with oxygen, white - protect against infections, platelets are the basis for starting the formation of blood clots to stop bleeding.

Red blood cells.

main function red blood cells(erythrocytes) is the delivery of oxygen to the tissues of the cat's body. When the number of red cells is too low, the cat becomes anemic because the blood cannot carry enough oxygen for normal life.

Red blood cells (or bodies) are formed by the bone marrow. In the bone marrow, all blood cells begin to form from a single type of cell - the so-called stem cells. stem cells divide to produce immature forms of cells that produce red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets. These immature cells continue to divide, mature, grow, and eventually become mature red or white blood cells or platelets. The total number of red blood cells in the blood of a healthy cat always remains approximately constant. Mature red cells have a limited lifespan - their production and destruction must be carefully balanced, otherwise the cat begins to develop various diseases.

A decrease in the number of red blood cells in a cat's blood (anemia) can be caused by blood loss, the destruction of red blood cells (hemolysis), or a decrease in their production. With a large loss of blood, the death of a cat, however, is usually not due to anemia, but from a decrease in the total volume of blood in the body. Hemolysis can be caused by toxins, infections, respiratory problems, or antibodies attacking red blood cells. Some medications, such as acetaminophen, can also cause hemolytic anemia in cats. A decrease in the production of red blood cells by the bone marrow can be the result of not only diseases of the bone marrow, but also other reasons, for example, infection with the feline leukemia virus, kidney failure, drug use, poisoning, etc. It is important to understand that anemia is a symptom of an illness and not a diagnosis in itself. Treatment options and medications used depend on the cat's primary disease.

White blood cells.

The main function of white blood cells ( leukocytes) is the protection of the cat's body from infections. There are two main types of white blood cells: phagocytes and lymphocytes.

Phagocytes.

phagocytes- these are blood cells that surround and destroy foreign particles that have entered the body - particles and bacteria. Their main task is to protect against invading microorganisms.

Phagocytes are also divided into two types - granulocytes and monocytes. Granulocytes are primarily neutrophils protect the body from bacteria and fungi. Others known as eosinophils and basophils, are involved in the occurrence of allergic reactions . Monocytes become macrophages and destroy large foreign particles and cellular decay products in the tissues of the cat's body.

Unlike red blood cells, which constantly circulate with blood, phagocytes use blood vessels as a route to body tissues. Therefore, the number of phagocytes in the blood can serve to assess the state of the organism. For example, the number of neurophils increases in the presence of inflammation. In cats, neutrophils are usually the most abundant type of white blood cell. Decreased levels of neurophils in a cat's blood due to insufficient production by the bone marrow can lead to reduced resistance to bacterial infections. In addition, phagocyte-producing elements may suffer from a malignant disease, myelogenous leukemia.

Lymphocytes.

Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that produce antibodies against infectious microorganisms. In addition, they destroy foreign particles and cancer cells. There are two types of lymphocytes: T cells and B cells. T-cells are engaged in the elimination of foreign particles and cancer cells. B-cells produce antibodies that help destroy harmful microorganisms and formations such as viruses or cells infected by them. Antibodies can also attach to bacteria, making them more vulnerable to phagocytes. If the lymphocytes become less than normal (see Lymphopenia), the cat's immunity decreases, and the risk of contracting various infections increases.

Antibody molecules are called immunoglobulins. They include several classes, each of which performs different functions. For example, some of the classes are commonly found in the lungs and intestines of the cat; others are located mainly in the blood vessels; still others are the first to produce antibodies for new foreign microorganisms; the fourth are involved in allergic reactions.

As a rule, lymphocytes react to foreign agents entering the cat's body that can cause disease. There is also a false reaction in which antibodies are produced against the cells of one's own body. This may be the result of autoimmune diseases (literally, immune diseases directed against the self), such as immune-mediated hemolytic anemia.

lymphocytosis- an increase in the number of lymphocytes in the cat's blood, may develop in response to the release of epinephrine (a hormone also known as adrenaline). A decrease in the number of lymphocytes in the blood can be caused by the use of corticosteroid drugs.

platelets.

platelets produced in the bone marrow are small particles that begin the formation of blood clots. Platelets collect at sites where bleeding occurs and combine to form the initial clot that stops or slows blood flow. Platelets also secrete other substances needed to complete the blood clotting process.

Deviations in the number of platelets are dangerous in both cases - both with a decrease and with an increase in their number. If there are too few platelets, the risk of blood loss from injuries increases. A decrease in platelet levels is possible due to exposure to medications, toxins, and also due to diseases of the bone marrow. An abnormal increase in platelets is rare in cats and the cause is usually unknown. This may be due to diseases of the bone marrow, with prolonged blood loss and iron deficiency.

There are also diseases in which platelets do not work properly, such as von Willebrand's disease. Other hereditary diseases that affect platelet function have been described, but are less common. Perhaps the most common platelet dysfunction in animals is a side effect of aspirin. Never give cats aspirin (as well as other medicines) without a doctor's prescription.

A blood test for a cat, a transcript of a blood test

Why do you need a blood test for a cat? Find out what is the norm and what changes in clinical analysis indicate.

Blood counts in cats are an important tool for making a correct diagnosis. Sometimes with their help you can accurately determine the presence of the disease, and sometimes they are necessary in order to control the course of treatment.

How and when to draw blood

Blood is taken from a vein, preferably on an empty stomach. For taking, use a syringe or a special test tube. The resulting blood must be stored under certain conditions, and is good for 6-8 hours at room temperature and 24 hours in the refrigerator.

A blood test in a cat is prescribed by a veterinarian, depending on the alleged diagnosis after examining the animal. There are several research groups.

Biochemical analysis

Cat blood biochemistry is used to assess the functional abilities of organs and systems: liver, heart, kidneys, hematopoietic system, and so on. Determine the presence of various enzymes and substrates.

Here is an approximate transcript of a blood test in a cat.

  • In liver diseases, there is an increase in bilirubin, cholesterol, alkaline phosphatase.
  • Violation of the kidneys is accompanied by an increase in the amount of urea and creatinine in the blood.
  • An increase in glucose may indicate diabetes, stress, diseases of the pancreas.

Of course, the diagnosis should be made by a veterinarian based on all the examination data.

Why do cats bleed from their mouths? - about this in the material.

Clinical Analysis

This is the most informative type of research. It is often referred to as a "complete blood count". Determine the composition of the blood and its physiological characteristics. According to the deviation in one direction or another, the presence of inflammatory processes in the body, allergic reactions, circulatory disorders, clotting pathologies is judged. The norms of blood in cats are as follows.

  • A decrease in hemoglobin and hematocrit indicates anemia, infections, intoxications.
  • An increase in ESR occurs with oncology, heart attack, kidney disease, after surgery and during pregnancy.
  • Leukocytes increase in inflammatory diseases, leukemia, bacterial infections.

Leukocyte formula

In some cases, advanced clinical cat blood test filled with leukocyte formula.

An increase in the blood of immature forms of leukocytes (stab) is called a shift of the formula to the left and indicates acute inflammatory processes. An increase in the number of eosinophils may indicate an allergic reaction, and the appearance of basophils may indicate oncology, allergies, or chronic inflammation in the intestinal tract.

Any laboratory analysis is not the ultimate truth. Other examination data are of great importance - clinical examination, data on the course of the disease, instrumental studies, response to the prescribed treatment.

What to do if a cat pees blood? - about this and much more in the material

A general blood test in cats is a fairly informative research method that can tell a lot about the health of an animal. Its results allow you to determine the cause of certain symptoms that have appeared in the pet. In addition, the analysis is able to detect a disease in a cat or dog that is hidden, without signs.

This makes it possible to start treatment in a timely manner when the disease is at an early stage, and it is easy to overcome it. Often, along with this type of diagnosis, a general chemical blood test (biochemical) is prescribed, which allows you to get the most clear clinical picture of the state of the cat's body.

Indications for carrying out

Specialists get an idea about the general condition of the body and can make predictions about the presence of certain diseases. Often this information is enough to diagnose a cat. In more complex cases, additional studies are required. However, diagnosis is almost never complete without a general analysis.

What does a blood test show?

The method considered in the article provides information on the following properties of blood:

  • density;
  • viscosity;
  • color;
  • osmosis;
  • the amount of alkali and others.

The main indicators that are taken into account in the analysis are:

  • red blood cells (erythrocytes) and their sedimentation rate (ESR);
  • white blood cells (leukocytes);
  • lymphocytes;
  • hemoglobin level;
  • platelets;
  • neutrophils;
  • monocytes;
  • basophils;
  • myelocytes.

Features of the

Blood from a cat for general analysis is taken from a vein in an amount of approximately 2 ml. The material is placed in a test tube with special substances that prevent the processes of clotting and destruction of blood cells. As such substances, as a rule, sodium citrate or heparin act. It is very important that an experienced specialist who has all the necessary skills take blood for analysis from a cat, otherwise the result may be unreliable.

Previously, the removal of the leukocyte formula was carried out by "old-fashioned methods", manually. The blood was turned into a smear, which was dried and treated with special dyes. Then it was examined under a microscope, making cell counts.

Today, thanks to the development of medicine, the process has been greatly simplified. In veterinary clinics, hemolytic analyzers are used. These devices not only derive the formula in just a few minutes, but also calculate the erythrocyte sedimentation rate.

It is recommended to feed a cat before a blood test no later than a few hours before the procedure. A fasting test guarantees much more accurate results. The food taken can significantly change the composition of the blood for a certain time and the conclusions will be false.

The results of a complete blood test in cats

This chapter discusses in more detail the indicators of a general blood test determined during the study, their norms and possible pathological processes that deviations can indicate. Deciphering the results, the doctor draws attention to the following elements.

red blood cells

Normally, a cat should have from 5 to 10 x 106 ml. If there are fewer of them, this may indicate iron deficiency, due to large blood loss or various pathological processes. An increase in the level of white blood cells detected during the analysis often indicates developing cardiovascular diseases, chronic lung pathologies, and severe dehydration.

Leukocytes

A decrease in the level of leukocytes indicates infectious diseases of an acute or chronic type, pathological processes in the liver, as well as intoxication of the cat's body, aplastic anemia or radiation sickness.

platelets

Normally, they are contained in the blood of a cat from 300 to 600 x 103 liters. An increased amount detected during the analysis may indicate that the cat is sick with myelocytic leukemia. If platelets are significantly below normal, suspect:

  • acute leukemia;
  • cirrhosis of the liver;
  • arthritis of the rheumatoid type;
  • aplastic anemia.

With a slight decrease, it is time to talk about chronic infectious diseases or allergies.

Hemoglobin and hematocrit

The normal level of hemoglobin in a cat ranges from 80-150 units. With their increase, first of all, they think that the body is dehydrated or that erythermia develops in it.

However, more often analyzes show a reduced content of this element. And this indicates anemia caused by some disease or an unbalanced diet. Hematocrit in the blood of a cat should be between 25 and 49%. If the percentage is higher, pulmonary or heart failure is suspected. Deviations from the norm downward in the analyzes indicate anemia.

ESR

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a very important indicator. If it is up to 13 mm / h, this is the norm. A higher rate is a sign of developing inflammation in the cat's body. We can talk about poisoning, infection, etc.

Significant deviations from the norm may indicate malignant tumors. It should be remembered that a high ESR in the general analysis after injuries or surgical treatment is the norm. The situation will stabilize when the body recovers from shock.

The interpretation of the blood test also includes a color assessment. Here, indicators from 0.6 to 0.9 are considered normal. Do not try to decipher the results yourself. Only a certified doctor can make an accurate diagnosis of a cat.

A little about biochemical analysis

A biochemical blood test in cats, like in humans, is carried out when it is necessary not only to diagnose a particular pathology, but also to assess its severity. During the study, the activity of various enzymes, the amount of substrates, fats and electrolytes are studied.

Blood is taken, as well as for the general, from the cat's vein and always on an empty stomach. Before the study, it is forbidden to carry out any medical procedures. Serum is isolated from the blood, which is then studied. When deciphering the results, doctors pay attention to indicators such as the level:

  • glucose;
  • cholesterol;
  • urea;
  • inorganic phosphorus;
  • triglycerides;
  • gland;
  • potassium;
  • alkaline phosphatase;
  • calcium;
  • magnesium;
  • lactate dehydrogenase;
  • bilirubin;
  • creatinine;
  • triglycerides, etc.

The most important role is played by total protein in the blood. Its increase usually indicates pathologies in a chronic form, as well as autoimmune-type ailments. A low level can indicate heart problems, nutritional deficiencies, dehydration, swelling, and cancerous tumors.

ESR is an abbreviation that stands for "erythrocyte sedimentation rate".

Measurement of ESR is included in the standard complete blood count. This study is based on the property of erythrocytes, when blood is placed in a vertically standing tube, under the influence of gravity, fall down - settle. In the blood in a test tube, erythrocytes begin to stick together, and therefore settle faster. At the same time, a dark mass accumulates at the bottom of the tube - a sediment of erythrocytes and other blood cells, and a light yellowish liquid - blood plasma remains at the top.

A column of this liquid - plasma, measured in mm, after settling the blood for an hour, will be called "ESR".

ESR depends on the number of erythrocytes, their ability to "glue" (aggregation), and, to the greatest extent, on blood viscosity. Blood viscosity is provided by blood proteins: albumins and globulins. If their ratio is violated, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate also changes: with an increase in blood viscosity, the ESR decreases, since erythrocytes settle more slowly, with a decrease in blood viscosity, it increases. With the development of an inflammatory reaction in the body of an animal, substances accumulate in the blood, by the action of which erythrocytes stick together faster and settle faster.

ESR increases with:

  • pregnancy
  • inflammation
  • fever, overheating, hypothermia, stress
  • liver diseases accompanied by a decrease in protein synthesis
  • nephrotic syndrome, in which the loss of proteins in the urine increases
  • diseases associated with massive tissue breakdown (malignant neoplasms, heart attacks, necrosis)
  • diabetes and other metabolic diseases
  • systemic vasculitis

ESR decreases with:

  • hemolytic anemia and diseases associated with a change in the normal shape of red blood cells
  • liver diseases, accompanied by an increase in the content of bile pigments and bile acids in the blood

The ESR value may change with the use of certain medications, when taking blood not on an empty stomach.

A change in the balance of proteins in the blood and, consequently, a change in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, takes, with the development of infection, up to two days. Also during recovery, the restoration of a normal ESR value can take up to a month or more.

It should be borne in mind that the ESR indicator is indirect, and it is by no means possible to make assumptions about the disease, based only on it. This research method has become extremely popular due to its ease of implementation, but the interpretation of its results must be very careful. In modern veterinary medicine, this indicator is not considered significant.

Sometimes, with a significant increase in ESR in an animal, no signs of the disease can be detected. The opposite situation is also common: in a seriously ill pet, the ESR remains within the normal range.

A biochemical blood test is a laboratory research method used in veterinary medicine, which reflects the functional state of the organs and systems of the animal's body.

A biochemical blood test in cats requires some preparation of the animal for the procedure. Blood is taken from a pet on an empty stomach before diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. A needle is inserted into the vein through which blood is taken. The resulting material is collected in a test tube and sent along with the referral to the laboratory.

Biochemistry of bloodin cats may help with:

Making a final diagnosis

Determining the prognosis of the disease - the course and its further development,

Disease monitoring - monitoring the course and results of treatment,

Screening - detection of the disease at the preclinical stage.

The range of biochemical indicators is quite large. The main indicators for the study are: enzymes(molecules or their complexes accelerating (catalyzing) chemical reactions in living systems) and substrates(the initial product converted by the enzyme as a result of a specific enzyme-substrate interaction into one or more end products). The interpretation of a biochemical blood test in cats is based on the data of the studied enzymes and substrates.

The main indicators characterizing the enzymatic activity of the body are:

1. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)- is found mainly in the cells of the liver of cats and, when damaged, enters the bloodstream. Therefore, with an increase in ALT, they speak of acute or chronic hepatitis, liver tumors, and fatty degeneration of the liver. This enzyme is also found in the kidneys, cardiac and skeletal muscles.

2. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)- high activity of this enzyme is typical for many tissues. Determination of AST activity is used to detect disorders of the liver and striated muscles (skeletal and cardiac). When the cells of the above tissues are damaged, they are destroyed, which may indicate necrosis of liver cells of any etiology (hepatitis), necrosis of the heart muscle, necrosis or injury of skeletal muscles.

3. Alkaline phosphatase (AP)- the activity of this enzyme is found mainly in the liver, intestines and bones. The total activity of alkaline phosphatase in the circulating blood of healthy animals consists of the activity of liver and bone isoenzymes. Therefore, in growing animals, the bone AP isoenzyme is increased. But in adult animals, this increase indicates bone tumors, osteomalacia, or active healing of fractures.

An increase in the level of alkaline phosphatase in the blood is also the result of a delay in the release of bile (cholestasis and, as a result, cholangitis). However, in cats, the half-life of circulating ALP is only a few hours, limiting the value of ALP as a marker of cholestatic disease.

The ALP isoenzyme responsible for the activity of the latter in the intestine is found mainly in the small intestine. At the moment, it has not been sufficiently studied in cats, therefore, with a change in the activity of intestinal alkaline phosphatase, one can indirectly judge the pathological processes of the gastrointestinal tract.

In cats, there is often an increase in the activity of alkaline phosphatase and other liver enzymes in hyperthyroidism, and a decrease in the latter in hypothyroidism.

4. Amylase - refers to digestive enzymes. Serum alpha-amylase is primarily derived from the pancreas and salivary glands. Enzyme activity increases with inflammation or obstruction of pancreatic tissue, which may indicate pancreatitis, acute hepatitis. However, in cats, traditional amylase tests to detect pancreatitis are not of sufficient diagnostic value. Also, an increase in amylase activity is observed in acute and chronic renal failure.

Other organs also have some amylase activity - the small and large intestines, skeletal muscles. Therefore, an increase in blood amylase may indicate intestinal intussusception, peritonitis.

For clinical research, the following substrates are of primary importance:

1. Total protein. Proteins are necessary components of all living organisms, they are involved in most of the life processes of cells. Proteins carry out metabolism and energy transformations. They are part of cellular structures - organelles, secreted into the extracellular space for the exchange of signals between cells, hydrolysis of food and the formation of intercellular substance.

The diagnostic value of this indicator is quite wide and may indicate complex processes occurring in the body. An increase in total protein is observed with general dehydration of the body, infectious and inflammatory processes. Loss (decrease) occurs in diseases of the liver, gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, the result of which is a violation of protein absorption, as well as in the depletion of animals, alimentary dystrophy.

2. Albumin. Serum albumin is synthesized in the liver and makes up the majority of all serum proteins. Since albumin makes up a large part of the total blood protein, they have a close relationship with each other. So, an increase or decrease in total protein occurs due to the albumin fraction. Therefore, these indicators have a similar diagnostic value.

3. Glucose. In animals, glucose is the main and most versatile source of energy for metabolic processes. Glucose is involved in the formation of glycogen, nutrition of brain tissue, working muscles.

Glucose is the main indicator for diagnosing diabetes mellitus in animals, which develops as a result of an absolute or relative deficiency of the hormone insulin. This, in turn, provokes the development of hyperglycemia - a persistent increase in blood glucose. There is also a significant increase in blood glucose levels in chronic kidney disease.

An increase in glucose can also be observed under various physiological conditions: stress, shock, physical activity.

Hypoglycemia (low glucose levels) may result from acute necrosis of the liver or pancreas.

4. Urea - end product of protein metabolism in animals. Found in blood, muscles, saliva, lymph.

In clinical diagnostics, the determination of urea in the blood is usually used to assess the excretory function of the kidneys. So, a significant increase in the level of urea is observed in violation of kidney function (acute or chronic renal failure). Shock or severe stress can also contribute to an increase in the level of urea. Low values ​​are observed with insufficient intake of protein in the body, severe liver diseases.

5. Creatinine - end product of protein metabolism. Most of the creatinine is synthesized in the liver and transported to the skeletal muscles and then released into the blood, is involved in the energy metabolism of muscle and nervous tissues. Creatinine is excreted from the body by the kidneys with urine, so creatinine (its amount in the blood) is an important indicator of kidney activity.

High creatinine is an indicator of a rich meat diet (if there is an increase in the blood and urine), kidney failure (if there is an increase only in the blood). Creatinine levels also increase with dehydration, muscle damage. A low level is observed with reduced meat consumption, starvation.

6. Bilirubin total. Bilirubin is one of the intermediate products of hemoglobin breakdown that occurs in macrophages of the spleen, liver, and bone marrow. With difficulty in the outflow of bile (blockage of the bile ducts) and some liver diseases (for example, hepatitis), the concentration of bilirubin in the blood, and then in the urine, increases. A decrease in the level of bilirubin occurs in diseases of the bone marrow and anemia.

Chervyakova A.A.

Veterinary laboratory assistant

BIOVETLAB laboratories

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