Hematologic Disorders

Blood disorders occur commonly in dogs and cats, often secondary to systemic disease or injury. History, physical examination, and laboratory diagnostic tests, including a complete blood count (CBC), are crucial for recognition and complete characterization of these disorders. Once a baseline is obtained, further workup can be planned to include imaging, sampling of abnormal organs, and bone marrow evaluation as indicated. In this comprehensive chapter, nonneoplastic erythrocyte and leukocyte disorders, abnormal nuclear and cytoplasmic morphology, nonneoplastic platelet disorders, and hematopoietic malignancies are explained. The reader will gain a unique insight through the collaborative efforts of a clinical pathologist, clinical oncologist, and internist about the causes, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostics, medical management, and prognosis of these diseases.