Peripheral Blood Smear from a Dog

Abstract

A 13-year-old intact male Belgian Shepherd Dog was presented to the Dimension multi vétérinaire reference center with a history of weakness of 1-week duration and acute onset of melena. Upon presentation, the initial PCV was 0.20 L/L (reference range, 0.37-0.50 L/L). On day 2, the dog's PCV fell to 0.12 L/L, and a whole-blood transfusion was administered. Results of a leukocyte count, platelet count, total protein concentration (refractometry), clinical chemistry panel, activated clotting time, and adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation test were within reference limits. Abdominal and thoracic radiographs and abdominal ultrasound revealed no abnormalities. Exploratory laparotomy was performed during which stomach and intestinal biopsies were taken. No gross or histologic abnormalities were noted.Seven days after initial presentation, a blood sample in an EDTA tube was sent on an ice pack by courier to the diagnostic laboratory of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Montreal, where it was analyzed within 24 hours of sampling. Specimens for subsequent analyses in this case were mailed under similar conditions. Results of the CBC (Table 1) revealed moderate, nonregenerative anemia (PCV = 0.20 L/L) that was normocytic and probably normochromic (the MCHC was likely overestimated because of slight hemolysis). Some RBCs appeared microcytic and hypochromic on the blood smear, suggesting iron deficiency. The dog had mild leukocytosis (20.2ϫ10 9 cells/L; reference range, 6.0-17.0ϫ10 9 /L), mild neutrophilia (16.8ϫ10 9 cells/L; reference range, 3.0-11.5ϫ10 9 /L), mild lymphopenia (0.8ϫ10 9 cells/L; reference range, 1.0-4.8ϫ 10 9 /L), mild monocytosis (2.1ϫ10 9 cells/L; reference range, 0.1-1.4ϫ10 9 /L), and a few slightly toxic neutrophils. These observations were compatible with concurrent inflammation and stress. The dog was returned home with iron supplementation (100 mg PO once daily) and metronidazole (15 mg/kg PO twice a day for 7 days). Measurement of serum iron concentration, total iron binding capacity, and ferritin concentration, although recommended, were not performed.On day 17, the dog was still anemic (PCV= 0.22 L/L),

Pathogenesis, laboratory diagnosis, and clinical implications of erythrocyte enzyme deficiencies in dogs, cats, and horses

“…Hemoglobin crystals are commonly recognized in erythrocytes in blood films from cats and llamas and rarely recognized in blood films from dogs. No hemoglobin abnormalities or other pathologic significance has been established for the presence of hemoglobin crystals in blood films from these animals15; however, in vitro conditions, including the anticoagulant used and sample storage time, may contribute to hemoglobin crystal formation 91,92…”