Related Experiment Videos
Quantitative evaluation of echinocytes in the dog
Douglas J. Weiss1, Annemarie Kristensen, Nancy Papenfuss
1Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108.
Veterinary Clinical Pathology
|January 1, 1990
Summary
Quantitative analysis revealed that nonartifactual echinocytes, or spiked red blood cells (RBCs), occur in sick dogs. High echinocyte numbers were associated with specific diseases like glomerulonephritis and lymphosarcoma.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Hematology
- Canine Pathology
Background:
- Echinocytes, or crenated red blood cells (RBCs), can be artifacts or indicative of disease.
- Quantitative assessment is crucial for differentiating true echinocytosis from artifacts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively evaluate echinocyte presence in healthy versus sick dogs.
- To compare quantitative echinocyte findings with standard RBC morphology evaluations.
- To identify potential associations between echinocytosis and specific canine diseases.
Main Methods:
- Blood smears from 68 sick dogs and healthy controls were analyzed.
- Red blood cell (RBC) morphology was assessed using Wright's stain.
- Echinocyte numbers were quantified and compared between groups.
Main Results:
- 32 out of 68 sick dogs exhibited high echinocyte numbers.
- Glomerulonephritis and lymphosarcoma were linked to 15 of these cases.
- Quantitative findings contradicted subjective reports in four instances, highlighting the importance of precise measurement.
Conclusions:
- Nonartifactual echinocytosis is a valid finding in canine blood.
- Elevated echinocyte counts may serve as a diagnostic indicator for certain canine diseases.
- Quantitative methods improve the accuracy of echinocyte assessment in veterinary diagnostics.