What does white blood cells tell us at the first clinic visit of the cat?

Year 2017, Volume: 1 Issue: 1, 24 - 28, 01.12.2017

Osman Safa Terzi , Kadir Sevım Erfaneh Pırpanahı Pınar Ambarcıoglu , Aybike Alıustaoglu Ebubekir Ceylan , Bulent Bas

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Interpretation
of laboratory data is very important and based on comparison with reference
intervals in routine practice. Leukocyte term includes all white blood cells
and their precursors. These cells use blood circulation for going to the
original tissues from their original locations. Total leukocyte count can be
changed by various physiologic and pharmacologic reasons. In healthy cats,
lymphocytes are the second most frequent leukocyte in the blood. Compared to
middle-aged or old cats, young animals have higher absolute lymphocyte counts.

Materials and Methods: The
medical records of cats referred to the Ankara University Small Animal Hospital
for general examination between April 2016 and August 2017 were retrospectively
reviewed. Complete blood count (CBC) data includes red blood cell (RBC) count,
haemoglobin, haematocrit (HCT), mean cell volume (MCV), mean cell haemoglobin
(MCH), mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), red blood cell distribution
width, platelet count, white blood cell (WBC) count, neutrophils, lymphocytes,
monocytes, eosinophils and basophils.

Results: Of
5292 cats, 191 cats at the age between 0 and 1 and with CBC data were included
in the study. CBCs were obtained from all 191 cats at the first visit. The
relationship of hematological data to the reference range is summarized in
Table 2. It was observed that 25.7% of the cats had leucocyte counts below the
reference interval and 3% had above the reference interval. Considering
neutrophil counts, it is seen that 23.3% were lower and 4.5% were higher.
According to the results of 191 hemogram tests, lymphocyte counts of 39 cats
(19.3%) and monocyte counts of 9 cats (4,5%) were found to be low.

Discussion: This
is a novel study that includes the results of detailed examination of breed and
age distribution of complete blood count results at the first clinical visits
of cats. According to our retrospective screening results, it is seen that the
relation of monocyte numbers with age is statistically significant. (p = 0.018)
The biggest difference between the two age groups in the study is the pre- and
post-adolescence periods. It is important to precisely know the results of CBC
test in the first visit to the clinic and to take the necessary precautions to
eliminate the abnormal results before vaccination.

Keywords

Complete blood count, white blood cell, leucopenia, neutrophilia

References

• Dua N, Reubel G, Moore PF, Higgins J, Pedersen NC. An experimental study of primary feline immunodeficiency virus infection in cats and a historical comparison to acute simian and human immunodeficiency virus diseases. Vet Immunol Immunopathol. 1994; 43:337-355.
• Ettinger SJ, Feldman EC. Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine - eBook. Elsevier Health Sciences.
• Foley, J.E., Orgad, U., Hirsh, D.C., Poland, A., Pedersen, N.C., 1999. Outbreak of fatal salmonellosis in cats following use of a high-titer modified-live panleukopenia virus vaccine. J Am Vet Med Assoc 214, 67-70, 43-64.
• Harvey, J.W., 2017. The feline blood film: 1. Techniques and erythrocyte morphology. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 19, 529-540.
• Hopper, C.D., Sparkes, A.H., Gruffydd-Jones, T.J., Crispin, S.M., Muir, P., Harbour, D.A., Stokes, C.R., 1989. Clinical and laboratory findings in cats infected with feline immunodeficiency virus. The Veterinary record 125, 341-346.
• Kerr, M.G., 2002. Veterinary Laboratory Medicine: Clinical Biochemistry and Haematology. Wiley.
• Kohmoto, M., Uetsuka, K., Ikeda, Y., Inoshima, Y., Shimojima, M., Sato, E., Inada, G., Toyosaki, T., Miyazawa, T., Doi, K., Mikami, T., 1998. Eight-year observation and comparative study of specific pathogen-free cats experimentally infected with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) subtypes A and B: terminal acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in a cat infected with FIV petaluma strain. The Journal of veterinary medical science 60, 315-321.
• Lapointe, J.M., Higgins, R.J., Kortz, G.D., Bailey, C.S., Moore, P.F., 1997. Intravascular malignant T-cell lymphoma (malignant angioendotheliomatosis) in a cat. Veterinary pathology 34, 247-250.
• Sellon, R.K., Rottman, J.B., Jordan, H.L., Wells, M.R., Simpson, R.M., Nelson, P., Keene, B.W., 1992. Hypereosinophilia associated with transitional cell carcinoma in a cat. J Am Vet Med Assoc 201, 591-593.
• Shelton, G.H., Linenberger, M.L., Grant, C.K., Abkowitz, J.L., 1990. Hematologic manifestations of feline immunodeficiency virus infection. Blood 76, 1104-1109.
• Stockham, S.L., Scott, M.A., 2010. Fundamentals of Veterinary Clinical Pathology, Second Edition Card for E Access. John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated.
• Stuetzer, B., Hartmann, K., 2014. Feline parvovirus infection and associated diseases. The Veterinary Journal 201, 150-155.
• Tzounos, C.E., Tivers, M.S., Adamantos, S.E., English, K., Rees, A.L., Lipscomb, V.J., 2017. Haematology and coagulation profiles in cats with congenital portosystemic shunts. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 19, 1290-1296.
• Weiss, D.J., Wardrop, K.J., 2011. Schalm's Veterinary Hematology. Wiley.
• Willard, M.D., Tvedten, H., 2011. Small Animal Clinical Diagnosis by Laboratory Methods - E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences.