Every veterinarian has a favorite disease process or a type of health problem. Some love the gastrointestinal tract, others the heart or lungs. For me, conditions affecting the immune system and blood truly get me excited. As part of an appropriate diagnostic process for such conditions, sampling the bone marrow…
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Splenomegaly – The Significance of an Enlarged Spleen
As a board-certified internal medicine and emergency/critical care specialist, I am often referred dogs and cats with enlarged spleens. I partner with pet parents and family veterinarians to determine the reason for splenic enlargement (called splenomegaly). This week I share some information about the spleen and the potential reasons for…
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Red Blood Cell Transfusions for Pets – Bloody Brilliant!
Red blood cell (RBC) transfusions supply critical oxygen-carrying cells to the body. Prior to the development of veterinary blood banking techniques, the major form of RBC transfusion was on-site collection of fresh whole blood (FWB) with subsequent administration within hours of collection. Today, however, the use of stored whole blood…