Final answer:
The ranges for a mildly anemic cat are 15-20% and for a dog 20-25%, which indicate hematocrit levels below the normal. These figures are important for diagnosing mild anemia.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct ranges for a mildly anemic cat and dog are option B) Cat: 15-20%, Dog: 20-25%. These percentages refer to the hematocrit range, which is the ratio of the volume of red blood cells to the total volume of blood. A normal hematocrit range for cats is generally 30-45%, and for dogs, it is approximately 37-55%. Therefore, when the hematocrit levels fall to the ranges mentioned in option B, it is indicative of mild anemia. It's important to consider that anemia can be more accurately diagnosed by looking at the hemoglobin levels as well as the hematocrit. In humans, iron deficiency anemia is characterized by hemoglobin content being between 5 to 9 g/100 ml. While this information is specific to humans, it emphasizes that both hemoglobin and hematocrit levels are crucial in diagnosing anemia across different species including cats and dogs.