Normal Erythrocytes

This is reflected in the Wrights stained

blood film as a cell with an area of
central pallor.

Red cell count vs. cell size (MCV) in

various species. Normal canine erythrocyte on electron
microscopy.
Cells of the erythroid line vary hugely
within the animal kingdom, in terms of
size, number, shape, lifespan,
metabolism, and response to
injury/anemia. The wide range of normal
red blood cell appearance across the
various species presents a challenge to
the observer. Familiarity with the
appearance of normal red blood cells of
the species at hand is an obvious but
essential prerequisite to the correct
identification and proper interpretation
of abnormalities. Normal canine erythrocytes (Wrights
stain)
Examples of normal red blood cells in
Wrights stained blood films from The scanning electron micrograph at the
several of the common species are right shows this shape most graphically.
presented here. This fact makes recognition of
spherocytic shape changes more clear in
dog blood compared to that of other
Canine species which lack significant central
pallor.
The canine erythrocyte in health is a
relatively large, uniform, biconcave disc.

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Small numbers of polychromatophilic
erythrocytes are observed in blood
smears from healthy dogs (<1.5%
reticulocytes). Occasional nucleated red
blood cells and Howell-Jolly bodies may
also be seen in blood smears from
healthy, non-anemic dogs.
The canine erythrocyte lifespan varies
from 110-120 days.
Feline
Normal feline erythrocyte with platelets
(inset)
Feline erythrocytes are smaller and more
variable in size and shape than those of
dogs. They have little to no central pallor
as normally seen in routine blood films.
Polychromatophilic cells are very few in
health (<1%). The hemoglobin of cats is
more susceptible to oxidant injury than
in other species. This is because feline
hemoglobin contain eight oxidizable
sulfhydryl groups. For this reason, low
numbers (<10%) single, small Heinz
bodies may be seen on erythrocytes in
healthy cats. These so-called
endogenous Heinz bodies may be seen
in increased numbers (up to 50%) in cats
on semi-moist food which contains
propylene glycol that causes oxidant
2013 eClinpath Suffusion theme by Sayontan Sinha
injury. Although these cats are not
usually anemic, red blood cell lifespan is
reduced. Healthy cats also can have a
few Howell-Jolly bodies in erythrocytes
in peripheral blood.
The lifepan of feline erythrocytes is 65-
76 days. The propensity for rouleaux
formation in feline erythrocytes is
greater than that of canine erythrocytes,
but less than that of horses.
Equine
Normal equine erythrocytes and a few
platelets.
Equine erythrocytes are of similar size as
feline erythrocytes and also lack central
pallor. Therefore, identification of
spherocytic shape change is very
difficult to discern in these species.
Blood from healthy horses often display
prominent rouleaux formation.
Occasional Howell-Jolly bodies are
observed in blood smears from healthy
horses. Polychromatophils are not
observed in blood from healthy horses
and are rarely observed in blood from
anemic horses. Therefore, the degree of
erythroid regeneration in response to an
anemia cannot be assessed by
quantifying reticulocytes in horses. The
erythrocyte lifespan in horses varies
from 140-150 days.
Note that microcytosis is a normal
finding in foals up to 1 year of age, and
is attributable to a physiologic iron
deficiency (puppies and kittens can
display a similar microcytosis between
4-8 weeks of age).
Bovine
Poikilocytosis in a calf
Normal bovine erythrocytes
Bovine erythrocytes are similar in size to
horse erythrocytes and have a small
amount of central pallor (with some
lacking central pallor). Some degree of
anisocytosis can be seen in smears from
healthy cattle. Cattle rarely display
rouleaux formation in health or disease.
2013 eClinpath Suffusion theme by Sayontan Sinha
The approximate erythrocyte lifespan is
160 days.
Polychromatophils are not usually
observed in blood smears from healthy
non-anemic cattle, although
reticulocytes are released along with
macrocytes in response to an anemia.
However, their capacity for regeneration
is not as marked as the dog. Basophilic
stippling of nucleated and non-nucleated
erythrocytes can be a common finding in
ruminants with a regenerative response.
Note that marked poikilocytosis
(variation in red cell shape),
thrombocytosis (often > 1 million
cells/uL) and microcytosis are features
of healthy calf blood (usually under 3
months of age). Calves can remain
microcytic for up to 1 year of age, which
is attributed to a physiologic iron
deficiency.
Caprine
Normal goat erythrocytes
Marked poikilocytosis can be a normal
feature in the blood of some goats
(especially Angora) and is especially
prominent in kids (< 3 months of age).
Goat erythrocytes are the smallest of the
domestic animal species, with mean
corpuscular volume ranging from 16-25 References :
fL. The caprine erythrocyte lifespan is
approximately 125 days. http://www.eclinpath.com/hematology/
morphologic-features/red-blood-
Goats do not display a prominent cells/normal-erythrocytes/
reticulocytosis in response to an anemia
and lack polychromasia in peripheral
blood in health. They do (unlike horses)
release polychromatophils from the bone
marrow.

Camelid

Normal llama erythrocytes

Small, flat, oval-shaped erythrocytes are

typical of llamas, camels, and alpacas.
The mean corpuscular hemoglobin
concentration (MCHC) in camelids are
significantly higher than other species,
commonly running in the range of 40-50
g/dL.

A small degree of anisocytosis and

poikilocytosis may be observed in blood
smears from healthy llamas. The average
erythrocyte lifespan in the llama is 60
days.

2013 eClinpath Suffusion theme by Sayontan Sinha