The value of a single haematological examination in the diagnosis of disease in the cat

A single haematological examination, which included plasma fibrinogen and total protein measurement, was performed on 191 cats when first presented with an owner-suspected abnormality. Apart from anaemia and leucopenia in nine cases of Haemobartonella felis infection and five of panleucopenia, the results with a variety of other disorders were variable. Anaemia was present in a further thirty cats, of which only two showed evidence of remission. Plasma protein values were frequently elevated, an indication that dehydration is common in sick cats.

In addition to changes in total and differential leucocyte counts, seventy-three of the blood smears examined showed toxic changes, indicative of interference with neutrophil maturation. Most haemograms had one or more abnormal values. In conjunction with other observations and diagnostic aids, a single haematological examination at the time of a cat's presentation can provide valuable information on a disease process.