Evaluation of buffy coat smears for circulating mast cells in healthy cats and ill cats without mast cell tumor-related disease.

Objective: To examine buffy coat smears for circulating mast cells in clinically normal cats and cats with illnesses unrelated to mast cell tumors and identify whether conditions other than mast cell tumors are associated with mastocytemia in cats.

Design: Prospective study.

Animals: 40 clinically normal cats and 40 cats with diseases unrelated to mast cell tumors (all cats were client owned).