It can be observed in heavy metal poisoning in the presence of non-regenerative anemias, or in intense erythrogenesis in dogs, cats and ruminants along with polychromasia. Normocytes are normally sized and shaped erythrocytes defined morphologically by the MCV or mean cell volume. An MCV below the suggested reference range suggests microcytosis. Microcytes are commonly observed in iron deficiency anemia as caused by chronic blood loss or parasitism. Hypochromasia is frequently observed in iron deficiency anemia as caused by chronic blood loss or parasitism.
Spherocytes are spheroid rather than biconcave disk-shaped erythrocytes.
They have a reduced amount of cell membrane and a hyperchromatic color. They are seen most frequently in autoimmune, isoimmune or microangiopathic hemolytic anemias, and recognized mainly in the dog. Heinz bodies are particles of denatured hemoglobin protein. They may be caused by oxidant drugs and chemicals. In dogs, oxidative injury is often associated with the presence of eccentrocytes.