Hypoplastic anemia is caused by a reduction in RBC production (hematopoiesis) due to bone marrow hypofunction and, unlike hemorrhagic and hemolytic anemias, it is nonregenerative in nature. It usually follows a chronic course and can affect several animals at the same time.
The causes can be of various types:
– deficiencies (protein, cobalt and vitamin B12, folic acid, vitamin E, iron, copper)
– toxic causes (chronic poisoning from lead, molybdenum, or bracken fern)
– severe gastrointestinal parasitism, chronic infections
– lymphoid tumors of the bone marrow
Symptoms: affected animals show progressive weight loss, general weakness, difficulty rising, poor milk production, paleness of the non-pigmented skin (teats, muzzle) and of the nasal, oral, ocular, and vaginal mucous membranes. Tachycardia and tachypnea. Symptoms vary in severity depending on the case.
This Holstein cow calved approximately 80 days ago and presents most of the symptoms described above. No hemorrhage, jaundice, or hemoglobinuria are present.
