Photomicrograph of a venous blood smear from a duck
Case information
A 5 year old male Pekin duck (Anasplatyrhynchos domesticus) presented with a 6 month history of reluctance to walk and enlarged hocks, with a more recent 2 week onset of inappetance. The bird had been treated with enrofloxacin for 3 weeks with no improvement. Blood was collected for a non-mammalian hemogram and biochemical profile. The hemogram revealed a moderate anemia (packed cell volume of 18%) and high total solids (9.2 g/dL; measured by refractometer). The serum biochemical profile revealed a hypoalbuminemia and hyperglobulinemia. Joint fluid from the right hock was aspirated and smears were submitted for cytologic evaluation from the small volume of obtained fluid. Radiographs demonstrated bilateral bony proliferation in the hocks. Examine the image below then answer the following questions:
- Is the anemia regenerative?
- What is the estimated leukocyte count (high, normal, low)?
- What is the dominant leukocyte in peripheral blood?
- What is your diagnosis based on the venous blood findings?
- Are any additional tests indicated?
Answer on next page
