Changes

*'''Inherited defects of red blood cell enzymes''', including phosphofructokinase and pyruvate kinase.

*'''Inherited defects of red blood cell enzymes''', including phosphofructokinase and pyruvate kinase.

*'''Microangiopathic damage''' to red blood cells as they pass through narrow or damaged blood vessels, as in '''haemangiosarcomata''', '''disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)''' or '''vasculitis'''.

*'''Microangiopathic damage''' to red blood cells as they pass through narrow or damaged blood vessels, as in '''haemangiosarcomata''', '''disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)''' or '''vasculitis'''.

*'''Oxidant damage''' to red blood cells, caused by '''paracetamol''' in cats, '''onion poisoning''' in dogs and '''copper toxicity''' in many species.  Ingestion of red maple leaves may also cause haemolysis in horses, as may brassicas (such as rape and kale) in cattle and sheep.

*'''Oxidative damage''' to red blood cells, caused by '''paracetamol''' in cats, '''onion poisoning''' in dogs and '''copper toxicity''' in many species.  Ingestion of red maple leaves may also cause haemolysis in horses, as may brassicas (such as rape and kale) in cattle and sheep.

Haemolysis which is sufficiently severe to cause icterus is likely to be life-threatening due to the reduction in oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.  Animals affected acutely may require transfusions of whole blood, packed red blood cells or synthetic bovine haemoglobin and it may be advisable to provide oxygen by nasal catheter, flow-by or mask.  In addition, the presence of large amounts of haemoglobin may cause acute intrinsic renal failure (in addition to the pre-renal failure caused by reduced oxygen delivery to the kidneys) and neonates may suffer from kernicterus, direct damage to the central nervous system caused by bilirubin.

Haemolysis which is sufficiently severe to cause icterus is likely to be life-threatening due to the reduction in oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.  Animals affected acutely may require transfusions of whole blood, packed red blood cells or synthetic bovine haemoglobin and it may be advisable to provide oxygen by nasal catheter, flow-by or mask.  In addition, the presence of large amounts of haemoglobin may cause acute intrinsic renal failure (in addition to the pre-renal failure caused by reduced oxygen delivery to the kidneys) and neonates may suffer from kernicterus, direct damage to the central nervous system caused by bilirubin.