Scanning electron micrograph of an acanthocyte. From: Bessis, Blood Smears Reinterpreted. Poikilocytes are erythrocytes with abnormal shape for the species at hand. Some poikilocytes have fairly specific diagnostic significance, while other forms are very non-specific. Wherever possible, poikilocytes should be identified as to the specific shape changes that are present, e.g. acanthocyte, keratocytes, echinocytes. However, in some situations, there are so many red cell shapes that the generic term "poikilocytosis" suffices and provides the same information as identifying each red cell shape individually. These situations include physiologic poikilocytosis of goats and young ruminants, chemotherapy-induced poikilocytosis and poikilocytosis in cats with liver disease. Poikilocytes induced by doxorubicin chemotherapy in a dog with lymphoma    It should be noted that blood from clinically normal animals will usually have low numbers of misshapen red cells. Indeed, as mentioned above, some species have large numbers of poikilocytes in health. An unusual form of poikilocyte, called drepanocytes (or sickled cells), is seen in blood smears from healthy deer, some breeds of sheep (e.g. Barbary), goats, antelope, mongoose and genet. The clinical significance of poikilocytes is more likely when clearly increased numbers are seen. In all cases, the fullest interpretation can be made only in light of the other parameters of the CBC, along with pertinent clinical, historical, and laboratory findings. Evaluation for significant shape abnormalities requires a well-made blood film prepared from fresh blood, so that artifactive shape changes are not superimposed upon any of potential pathologic significance.