This image demonstrates ghost red blood cells (arrows) in a dog with intravascular hemolysis due to the attachment of complement fixing antibodies (IgG, IgM) to red blood cells, with constitution of the membrane attack complex of complement (C6789). This complex punches holes in the red blood cell membrane, causing true in vivo intravascular hemolysis, with consequent hemoglobinuria and hemoglobinemia. The dog also had numerous spherocytes, indicating concurrent extravascular hemolysis (which usually accompanies intravascular hemolysis).
