Figure 1. Red blood cells coated with antibodies and complement can a) undergo direct intravascular lysis or b) be uptaken by mononuclear phagocytic system macrophages.

Immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia, part 1: pathophysiology and diagnosis

Normally, canine red blood cells have a life span of 100–120 days (McCullough, 2003) while feline red blood cells remain in circulation for approximately 72 days (Eibert and Lewis, 1997). Once...