Interpreting Reticulocyte Count in Canine and Feline Anemia
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Wendy Blount, DVM
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RNA to make Hb retained for 1-3 days after the
nRBC extrudes its nucleus
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Mix EDTA blood with stain 1:1 (1:3 for birds)
Mix EDTA blood with stain 1:1 (1:3 for birds)
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New methylene blue (NMB)
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Brilliant cresyl blue (BCB)
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Incubate 10-15 min. for NMB, 15-30 for BCB
Incubate 10-15 min. for NMB, 15-30 for BCB
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Air dry blood smears and stain
Air dry blood smears and stain
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Count 500-1000 RBC
Count 500-1000 RBC
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Report % retics of RBC counted
Report % retics of RBC counted
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1.
Mix EDTA blood with stain 1:1 (1:3 for
Mix EDTA blood with stain 1:1 (1:3 for
birds)
birds)
New methylene blue (NMB)
Brilliant cresyl blue (BCB)
2.
Incubate 10-20 min. for NMB, 15-30
Incubate 10-20 min. for NMB, 15-30
for BCB
for BCB
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Mix blood again
Mix blood again
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Air dry blood smears and stain
Air dry blood smears and stain
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Count 500-1000 RBC
Count 500-1000 RBC
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Report % retics of RBC counted
Report % retics of RBC counted
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Count only aggregates, not punctates
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RBC on the slide
= 24 + 14 + 30 + 22 = 90
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Reticulocytes
= 20 20/90 = 22%
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22% x RBC (2,400,000/ul) = 528,000/ul
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Markedly regenerative anemia
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RBC on the slide
= 5 + 18 + 14 + 11 = 48
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Reticulocytes
= 8 8/48 = 17%
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17% x RBC (1,900,000/ul) = 323,000/ul
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Highly regenerative anemia
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RBC on the slide
= 25
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Reticulocytes
= 3 3/25 = 12%
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12% x RBC (2,800,000/ul) = 336,000/ul
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Highly regenerative anemia
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RBC on the slide
= 21 + 19 + 16 + 15 = 71
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Reticulocytes
= 6 6/71 = 8%
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8% x RBC (2,000,000/ul) = 160,000/ul
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Mildly to moderately regenerative anemia
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RBC on the slide
= 24 + 36 + 22 + 39 = 71
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Reticulocytes
= 7 7/71 = 9.8%
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9.8% x RBC (2,800,000/ul) = 274,400/ul
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moderately regenerative anemia
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RBC on the slide
= 11 + 13 + 13 + 9 = 46
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Reticulocytes
= 4 4/46 = 8.7%
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8.7% x RBC (1,000,000/ul) = 104,400/ul
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mildly regenerative anemia
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BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Clinical
Pathology, 2011
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Andreas Hans Hasler
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Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine, eds
Stephen J Ettinger and Edward C Feldman, 6
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Ed 2003
Reticulocyte count is a crucial diagnostic tool in evaluating regenerative anemia in dogs and cats. By examining the presence of reticulocytes in blood smears and calculating their percentage relative to red blood cells, veterinarians can determine the degree of anemia and the body's response to it. This information helps in assessing the effectiveness of the bone marrow's efforts to produce new red blood cells. Differentiating between aggregations and punctates, as well as comparing various levels of reticulocytes in different scenarios, aids in pinpointing the severity of the anemia and guiding appropriate treatment strategies. This detailed guide provides insights into interpreting reticulocyte counts in canine and feline patients based on specific observations and calculations.
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Reticulocyte Count Dry Lab Wendy Blount, DVM
The Reticulocyte Count 1. Mix EDTA blood with stain 1:1 (1:3 for birds) New methylene blue (NMB) Brilliant cresyl blue (BCB) 2. Incubate 10-20 min. for NMB, 15-30 for BCB 3. Mix blood again 4. Air dry blood smears and stain 5. Count 500-1000 RBC 6. Report % retics of RBC counted
The Reticulocyte Count Count only aggregates, not punctates Feline punctates have up to 10-15 blue dots that do not coalesce Canine punctates have 1-2 blue dots that do not coalesce
Canine Reticulocytes X X X X X RBC on the slide = 24 + 14 + 30 + 22 = 90 Reticulocytes = 20 20/90 = 22% 22% x RBC (2,400,000/ul) = 528,000/ul Markedly regenerative anemia
Canine Reticulocytes X RBC on the slide = 5 + 18 + 14 + 11 = 48 Reticulocytes = 8 8/48 = 17% 17% x RBC (1,900,000/ul) = 323,000/ul Highly regenerative anemia
Canine Reticulocytes RBC on the slide = 25 Reticulocytes = 3 3/25 = 12% 12% x RBC (2,800,000/ul) = 336,000/ul Highly regenerative anemia
Feline Reticulocytes RBC on the slide = 21 + 19 + 16 + 15 = 71 Reticulocytes = 6 6/71 = 8% 8% x RBC (2,000,000/ul) = 160,000/ul Mildly to moderately regenerative anemia
Feline Reticulocytes X X X X X RBC on the slide = 24 + 36 + 22 + 39 = 71 Reticulocytes = 7 7/71 = 9.8% 9.8% x RBC (2,800,000/ul) = 274,400/ul moderately regenerative anemia
Feline Reticulocytes X X X X X RBC on the slide = 11 + 13 + 13 + 9 = 46 Reticulocytes = 4 4/46 = 8.7% 8.7% x RBC (1,000,000/ul) = 104,400/ul mildly regenerative anemia
Acknowledgements Villers Elizabeth, Blackwood Laura BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Clinical Pathology, 2011 Atlas of Canine and Feline Peripheral Blood Smears Andreas Hans Hasler Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine, eds Stephen J Ettinger and Edward C Feldman, 6th Ed 2003
