A tale of three dogs: A logical approach to the bleeding patient

In this lecture, we will discuss three dogs who presented with anaemia and melaena but had very different final diagnoses. A logical approach to anaemia and bleeding involves a rationale consideration of clinical signs to define the problem and system as well as an understanding of what the haemogram can tell us beyond just looking at the PCV. The importance of some of the other numbers provided in the report including total protein as well as red and white cell morphology will be demonstrated.

• 1. How to define and refine the problem and system relevant to bleeding in general, and melaena in particular
• 2. How to get the most from the information a haemogram can provide