Question | Answer |
Acanthocyte | irregularly spiculated, spur cells, may occur in cats with hepatic lipidosis, occasionally in dogs with liver disease. |
NRBC | nucleated red blood cells, normal in avians and reptiles, early release of immature cells (anemia) in dogs or cats. |
Schistocyte | fragmented RBCs, intravascular trauma, DIC, or iron deficiency. |
Stomatocyte | central pallor is slit-like, may be artifactual, associated with anemias, liver disease. |
Crenated RBC | shriveled RBC, spiculated, may occur with too much EDTA, slow drying of blood film. |
Rouleaux formation | stacked coin appearance, normal in horses, may be artifactual if blood is held too long or refrigerated. |
Heinz bodies | rounded projections, stain pale with wright's stain, <5% is normal in cats, increased with lymphosarcoma, hyperthyroidism, and diabetes mellitus in cats. |
Howell-jolly bodies | stain as blue dots, related to splenic removal or disorder. |
Echinocyte | regularly spiculated, artifactual, associated with slow drying of blood films or too much EDTA, may be associated with renal disease and lymphosarcoma in dogs. |
Basophilic stippling | presence of small, dark blue dots, usually characteristic of lead poisoning in dogs |
Agglutination | clumping formation, occurs in immune-mediated disorders |