BASICS
- ACD is thought to be a protective response that limits the availability of iron for bacterial growth
- ACD, or “anemia of inflammatory disease,” is associated with substantial, sustained activation of the immune system
- ACD typically presents as a mild to moderate, nonregenerative, normochromic, normocytic anemia
- ACD is characterized by low serum iron concentration and low to normal TIBC with normal to increased serum ferritin concentrations
- Proinflammatory cytokines induce hepcidin production by the liver
- Hepcidin regulates systemic iron homeostasis and decreases serum iron and total body iron stores
- Hepcidin reduces the function of ferroportin, the primary iron transporter molecule in duodenal enterocytes and macrophages
- This leads to impaired enteric iron absorption (enterocytes) and increased iron retention (macrophages)
- Anemia ensues due to decreased availability of iron for Hb production (relative iron deficiency)
- Impaired EPO responsiveness and decreased RBC survival also result from the action of proinflammatory cytokines and contribute to the development of anemia
- Animals with chronic inflammation
- Older animals may be at increased risk, but there is no defined age, breed, or sex predilection for ACD
- Often subclinical, but exercise may induce exaggerated tachycardia, weakness, and reduced performance
- Pale mucous membranes, weakness, lethargy
- Fever, weight loss, or signs referable to primary disease process may be present
- Tachycardia, tachypnea, low-grade holosystolic heart murmur
DIAGNOSIS
TREATMENT
MEDICATIONS
FOLLOW-UP
MISCELLANEOUS