Fragments and Forms—Abnormal Erythrocytes in Veterinary Hematology

Red blood cell morphology can reveal critical clues about your patient’s health—but only if you know what you’re looking for. In this episode of Shake Up Your Workup, our host, Dr. Sylvia Conway sits down with Dr. Guillermo Couto to takes us beyond the numbers to explore the diagnostic power of blood smears. We’ll break down:• Why abnormal erythrocytes matter and what they indicate• How to avoid common pitfalls when assessing morphology• The “big three” poikilocytes—acanthocytes, keratocytes, and schistocytes—and what they tell you about disease processesPlus, we’ll discuss practical tips for identifying these cells, the role of new technologies like IDEXX InVue Dx Cellular Analyzer, and when to involve a pathologist.About our guest: Guillermo Couto, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM and Oncology), graduated from Buenos Aires University, Argentina, in 1976. He spent five years as a private-practice small animal veterinarian in his hometown and then completed a residency in clinical oncology at the University of California, Davis.He is coauthor of the textbook Small Animal Internal Medicine with Richard W. Nelson, now in its sixth edition, and has published over 350 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters in the areas of oncology, hematology, and greyhound medicine.Dr. Couto served as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine and President of the Veterinary Cancer Society. He received numerous teaching and service awards while at Ohio State University.After more than 30 years in academia, he now provides consultation and educational services for IDEXX and others through Couto Veterinary Consultants in Hilliard, Ohio. Keep up with Dr. Couto at linkedin.com/in/couto-guillermo+ + + + +To learn more about blood cell morphology check out these free courses on the IDEXX Learning Center.• From Cytology to AI: Revolutionizing Cellular Diagnostics• Hematology Beyond the Numbers• A Case Based Approach to Small Animal Medicine with Dr. Guillermo Couto+ + + + +About our host: Sylvia Conway BSc, BVetMed, MRCVSDr. Conway is the host of the Shake Up Your Workup podcast. She joined IDEXX in May 2014 after spending five years as a mixed and small animal veterinarian in the United Kingdom. She currently oversees medical education tracks at tradeshow events and enjoys all aspects of her role.Dr. Conway is passionate about delivering clinically relevant medical education that promotes best practices and adds value to the day-to-day lives of veterinary practitioners.Originally from London, Dr. Conway relocated to Amsterdam, Netherlands, in February 2013. She still lives in Amsterdam with her husband, two young sons, Frankie the cat, and their canine companion, Wappie.+ + + + +Thank you for listening to Shake Up Your Workup. You can contact us at shakeupyourworkup@idexx.com with comments and feedback.Disclaimer: This podcast features hosts and guests who may be employed by IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. or its affiliates ("IDEXX"). The content of this podcast is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be taken to represent official IDEXX policies, guidance, or positions. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the individual speakers only.This podcast may reference IDEXX products or services as part of the professional discussion. Any such references are for informational purposes only and do not constitute technical instructions or convey any express or implicit performance guarantee or warranty, nor do they constitute to any regulated product claims.Nothing in this podcast should be considered medical or veterinary advice. Diagnostic discussions or recommendations may not be appropriate for all clinical circumstances, and regulatory requirements for diagnostics, treatment, and product use may vary between regions. Listeners should always rely on their own veterinary judgment and consult applicable local laws, regulations, and professional guidelines before making decisions about diagnost