Feline non-regenerative anemia: Diagnostic and treatment recommendations

J Feline Med Surg. 2019 Jul;21(7):615-631. doi: 10.1177/1098612X19856178.

Abstract

Practical relevance: Non-regenerative anemia, or anemia with reticulocytopenia, is a daily diagnosis in feline practice.

Clinical challenges: The disease processes underlying non-regenerative anemia are many and diverse. A major diagnostic evaluation may be required to correctly diagnose and treat the underlying cause.

Audience: All veterinarians caring for cats will face the diagnostic and therapeutic challenge of non-regenerative anemia. Readers will benefit from the review of diagnostic testing and therapeutic options for non-regenerative anemia.

Evidence base: This review summarizes the currently available literature informing diagnostic and treatment recommendations related to non-regenerative anemia. The evidence available to support the recommendations in this review is graded as low and includes predominantly expert opinion, case reports and cases series, on which the authors' interpretation/consensus is based.

Keywords: Anemia; anaemia; anemia of chronic disease; anemia of inflammation; aplastic anemia; bone marrow disease; immune-mediated hemolytic anemia; non-regenerative; nonregenerative; pure red cell aplasia.

MeSH terms

  • Anemia / diagnosis
  • Anemia / prevention & control
  • Anemia / veterinary*
  • Animals
  • Cat Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Cat Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Cats