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Introduction to Blood Disorders of Cats

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Introduction to Blood Disorders of Cats

By Peter H. Holmes, BVMS, PhD, Dr HC, FRCVS, FRSE, OBE, Emeritus Professor and Former Vice-Principal, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow
Michael Bernstein, DVM, DACVIM, Director, Medical Services, Angell Animal Medical Center
Karen L. Campbell, MS, DVM, DACVIM, DACVD, Professor and Section Head, Specialty Medicine, Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois
Nemi C. Jain, MVSc, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Clinical Pathology, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine. University of California
Wayne K. Jorgensen, BSc, PhD, Science Leader Applied Biotechnology Livestock, Agri-Science Queensland
Susan L. Payne, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M; University
David J. Waltisbuhl, BASc, MSc, Senior Scientist DPI&F; Actest, Yeerongpilly Veterinary Laboratory

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Blood cells form and develop mostly in the bone marrow, that is, the tissue located in the cavities of bones. Blood performs a variety of important functions as it circulates throughout the body. It delivers oxygen and vital nutrients (such as vitamins, minerals, fats, and sugars) to the tissues. It carries carbon dioxide to the lungs to be exhaled and waste products to the kidneys to be eliminated from the body. It transports hormones, which are chemical messengers, to various parts of the body, allowing those parts to communicate with each other. Blood also includes cells that fight infection and platelets that control bleeding.

Blood is a complex mixture of plasma (the liquid component), red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

There are 3 cellular elements of blood: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Basically, red blood cells supply the body with oxygen, white blood cells protect against infection, and platelets start the formation of blood clots.

Types of Blood Cells*

*See chapter text for descriptions and functions.

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Most urinary tract pathogens are not considered zoonotic. However, which of the following organisms is most likely to be transmitted via infected urine from animals to humans?