Normal Platelets
Morphology: platelets are small anucleate cells with round to oval shape and small pink or red cytoplasmic granules. Normal platelets are smaller than red blood cells. Canine platelets are moderately… Read more Normal Platelets →
Neutrophils
Also called: mature neutrophils, segmented neutrophils (segs), polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) Morphology: granulocyte with an indented (segmented) nucleus and white or pale pink cytoplasm. Canine and bovine neutrophils may contain small pink… Read more Neutrophils →
Poikilocytosis
Morphology: poikilocyte is a generic term to describe red blood cells with abnormal shape. Poikilocytosis refers to large numbers of abnormally shaped red blood cells. Commonly seen with: poikilocytosis may include… Read more Poikilocytosis →
Nucleated Red Blood Cells
Metarubricyte: most mature form of nucleated red blood cell (nRBC). Nuclei are small and pyknotic, often eccentric, with condensed (smooth dark) chromatin. Cytoplasm is smooth and uniform and may stain… Read more Nucleated Red Blood Cells →
Normal Porcine Erythrocytes
Morphology: red blood cells often show artifactual crenation (sharp-pointed margins) with little to no central pallor and mild to moderate poikilocytosis. Lifespan: 70 – 98 days Other features: rouleaux is common. Young… Read more Normal Porcine Erythrocytes →
Polychromatophils
Morphology: immature red blood cells that stain dark purple on Romanowsky stains (Wright’s, Diff-Quick) due to retained cytoplasmic RNA. Larger than normal red cells. Commonly seen with: features of regenerative anemia (macrocytosis,… Read more Polychromatophils →
Mycoplasma
Morphology: small blue cocci, rings, or rods on the surface of red blood cells. May be observed in the background between red blood cells (bacteria fall off of red cells… Read more Mycoplasma →
Cells and Smears 