In this blood smear from a dog with heat stroke, an apoptotic white blood cell (WBC, suspect neutrophil) is present (arrow) along with a nucleated RBC (nRBC). Apoptotic WBC can mimic nRBC but usually have a lighter (not uniform red or purple) cytoplasm, that mimics the cell of origin. A few acanthocytes, eccentrocytes and echinocytes are also seen in the RBC and the dog is thrombocytopenic from concurrent disseminated intravascular coagulation.
