Polycythemia

Polycythemia is an increased number of circulating RBC. Most animals with increased PCV have relative polycythemia due to hemoconcentration. Splenic contraction can increase PCV by 10 to 15%. Absolute polycythemia is an increased total hemoglobin/RBC mass with normal plasma volume. Absolute polycythemia can be a primary myeloproliferative disorder called polycythemia vera. The signs of polycythemia vera can include polyuria and polydipsia, bleeding from small capillary rupture, neurologic disturbances caused by increased viscosity of blood.