Spherocytosis associated with anaplasmosis in two cows

Spherocytes were detected on blood smears of 2 Angus cows. The RBC from both cows had increased fragility in hypotonic saline solution, supporting the presence of spherocytes. Other laboratory tests revealed a macrocytic, regenerative anemia with anisocytosis, polychromasia, basophilic stippling, Howell-Jolly bodies, nucleated RBC, and Anaplasma marginale organisms. A complement-fixation test was positive for anaplasmosis in cow 1 and a direct Coombs' test was positive for immunoglobulin G in both cows.