What are Spherocytes in dogs?
Spherocytes are abnormal small, dense red blood cells, commonly found in canine blood work. Regular sized red blood cell’s lose their biconcave shape and form into spherocytes. Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia often is linked to spherocytosis.
Is autoimmune hemolytic anemia fatal in dogs?
Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA) is a serious and life-threatening condition that affects both dogs and cats. In essence, this means that your pet’s immune system, which typically fights off invaders and infections, is now fighting your pet’s own red blood cells.
What is the most common cause of hemolytic anemia in dogs?
In dogs, the most common cause of hemolytic anemia is immune mediated (60%–75%), although toxins, RBC trauma, infections, neoplasia, and RBC membrane defects can also cause hemolysis.
Why do spherocytes form?
Formation of spherocytes in circulation occurs due to a partial loss of the red blood cell membrane. This can occur when RBCs are not fully phagocytosed by macrophages during extravascular hemolysis. Cellular content remains the same and this leads to a decrease in the surface to volume ratio and spherocyte formation.
What would spherocytes observed on a blood smear indicate?
Hence, the observation of spherocytes in a blood smear is most often linked to immune-mediated hemolytic anemia. It is important to note that spherocytes may be difficult to identify (especially in species whose erythrocytes possess a less pronounced biconcave structure).
Can a dog recover from hemolytic anemia?
Recovery of Hemolytic Anemia in Dogs Autoimmune hemolytic anemia is treatable, and if the cause is a primary autoimmune disorder, then your dog should respond to immunosuppressive therapy.
Can a dog survive anemia?
If the anemia is diagnosed early and the dog is in relatively good health, the prognosis is good. Dogs that have severe anemia, either caused by toxins, cancer, or autoimmune diseases, or as a result of severe trauma have a less favorable prognosis.
What are the symptoms of spherocytosis?
The signs and symptoms of spherocytosis include:
- Anemia.
- Paleness (pallor)
- Jaundice (especially in children)
- Intermittent jaundice (more often in adults)
- Enlarged spleen (splenomegaly; a majority of all patients with spherocytosis)
- Gallstone development (for example, bilirubin stones due to spherocyte lysis)
Can spherocytosis be cured?
Treatment options There is no cure for HS, but it can be treated. The severity of your symptoms will determine which course of treatment you receive. Options include: Surgery: In moderate or severe disease, removing the spleen can prevent common complications that result from hereditary spherocytosis.
What are spherocytes in dogs?
Spherocytes are compared against normal, mature red blood cells. S pherocytes are abnormal small, dense red blood cells, commonly found in canine blood work. Regular sized red blood cell’s lose their biconcave shape and form into spherocytes. Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia often is linked to spherocytosis.
What to do if your dog has spherocytes?
Bi-annual check-ups are required every year afterwards. If any sign of spherocytes show in the blood work during routine check-ups, the dog will be put immediately under the care of the veterinarian and treatment will begin immediately. Good prognosis is possible if response to the treatment is positive.
How to identify spherocytes in canine IMHA?
Canine IMHA: nearly all the cells in this field are spherocytes, as indicated by their decreased diameter, dense staining properties, and lack of central pallor.
What is the clinical significance of spherocytes?
Spherocytes may also be observed in stored or transfused blood. Very small numbers of spherocytes in the feathered edge may not have any clinical significance. Presence of spherocytes does not usually affect mean cell volume (MCV) on CBC because cell volume is the same (cell has decreased diameter but increased roundness).