A retrospective study of 180 anaemic cats: Features, aetiologies and survival data

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2. J Feline Med Surg. 2012 Sep 18.
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4. Rachel M Korman1,*
5. Natasha Hetzel1,†
6. Toby G Knowles2
7. Andrea M Harvey1,‡
8. Séverine Tasker1

1. ¹The Feline Centre, Langford Veterinary Services, School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, UK
2. ²Animal Behaviour and Welfare, School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, UK
3. ^*Rachel M Korman is now at Veterinary Specialist Services, Underwood, QLD, Australia
4. ^†Natasha Hetzel is now at Cave Veterinary Specialists, North Wellington, UK
5. ^‡Andrea M Harvey is now at Small Animal Specialist Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia

1. Rachel M Korman BVSc GPCertFelP MACVSc MRCVS, Veterinary Specialist Services, Underwood, QLD 4217, Australia Email: rkorman@vss.net.au

Abstract

The study comprised 180 anaemic cats. Descriptive and survival data were obtained. Cats were classified by aetiology of anaemia development and degenerative, anomalous, metabolic, miscellaneous, neoplastic, infectious, inflammatory, immune-mediated, toxic, traumatic or vascular disease (DAMNITV) classification and anaemia severity. Sixty-four (35.6%) cats had mild [packed cell volume (PCV)/haematocrit (HCT) 20–24.9%], 58 (32.2%) moderate (14–19.9%), 23 (12.8%) severe (11–13.9%) and 35 (19.4%) very severe (<10.9%) anaemia. By aetiology of anaemia development, bone marrow (BM) abnormalities were more common (95, 52.8%) than haemorrhage (37, 20.6%) or haemolysis (19, 10.6%). By DAMNITV classification, infectious diseases were more common (39, 21.7%) than neoplasia (36, 20%), metabolic (21, 11.7%), trauma (15, 8.3%), miscellaneous (14, 7.8%), inflammatory (11, 6.1%), immune-mediated (11, 6.1%), anomalous (8, 4.4%), toxic (2, 1.1%) or vascular disease (1, 0.6%). BM abnormalities were significantly associated with more severe anaemia (P = 0.003). Most cats (112, 62.2%) survived to discharge whereas 55 (30.6%) were euthanased and 13 (7.2%) died. Survival to discharge was not associated with anaemia severity but was associated significantly with aetiology of anaemia development (P = 0.046), as cats with haemolysis were more likely to survive to discharge than cats with BM abnormalities. Survival to discharge was also associated significantly with DAMNITV classification (P = 0.010) with cats with neoplasia being less likely, and cats with immune-mediated disease more likely, to survive to discharge. Cox regression analysis found that survival was not associated with anaemia severity, but was associated with DAMNITV classification (P = 0.011) and age (P = 0.082), with cats with immune-mediated disease and younger cats more likely to survive.