Erythrocytic indices in animals
Erythrocytic indices in animals help in the diagnosis various types of anemia (microcytic vs. macrocytic or normocytic).
Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)
Mean Corpuscular Volume expresses the average cell size of the erythrocyte.
Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH)
Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin gives the average weight of Hb present in the erythrocytes.
Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC)
Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration is the average percentage of the mean corpuscular volume that the Hb occupies.
Normal range of erythrocyte indices in domestic animals
| Species | MCV (fl) | MCHC (%) | MCH (pg) |
| Dog | 60-77 (70) | 32-36 (34) | 20-24 |
| Cat | 39-55 (45) | 30-36 (33) | 13-17 |
| Cow | 40-60 (52) | 30-36 (33) | 19 |
| Sheep | 23-48 (33) | 31-38 (33) | 10-14 |
| Goat | 15-30 (23) | 35-42 (38) | 8 |
| Horse | 34-58 (46) | 31-37 (35) | 18 |
| Pig | 50-68 (63) | 30-34 (32) | 16-20 |