![]() With regard to the red blood cells, we should observe red cell density and presence of rouleaux or agglutination. The first step in the evaluation of a blood smear is to scan the slide using a 10x or 20x objective. This is particularly important when attempting to identify red cell parasites such as haemoplasmas or evaluation of erythrocyte shape changes. Smears should be rapidly dried with a blow drier to eliminate artifacts of air-drying red blood cells. This technique produces a more even distribution of cells, allowing more accurate estimation of leukocyte and platelet numbers. This technique minimizes traumatic injury to cells during slide preparation. The coverslip technique for making smears is preferred over the glass slide technique. In addition, prolonged exposure to EDTA may make it more difficult, or even impossible to identify infectious agents, such as Mycoplasma haemofelis (formerly Haemobartonella felis), in the blood of infected cats. Blood smears should be prepared as quickly as possible in order to minimize artifactual changes in erythrocytes and leukocytes such as red cell crenation, leukocyte vacuolation and nuclear swelling and pyknosis. Partial filling of vacutainer tubes with blood may cause artifactual changes in cell morphology and numerical values. Vacutainer tubes containing EDTA should be filled to the designated amount. The value of these findings, many of which are not recognized by automated cell counters, cannot be overemphasized. ![]() The important clinical information needed for the hematologic evaluation of an animal can all be obtained by estimating cell numbers and evaluating the morphologic changes in erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets. The evaluation of a blood smear will allow the practitioner to gain rapid, valuable information regarding the health of the patient when the evaluation is performed in a systematic fashion. Books & VINcyclopedia of Diseases (Formerly Associate)Ībnormalities in the Canine and Feline Blood Film.VINcyclopedia of Diseases (Formerly Associate).
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