Blood Cell, Red

Red blood cells are one of the three main types of blood cells. They are called red because they have a red color, and blood looks red because of these cells. Up to half of the cells in the blood are red blood cells! Red blood cells’ main job is carrying oxygen and carbon dioxide. When your dog breaths in, oxygen enters their lungs. The oxygen crosses into the bloodstream, and the red blood cells pick it up and bring it to a cell that needs it. That cell usually has carbon dioxide it needs to get rid of. The red blood cell delivers the oxygen and picks up the carbon dioxide, which it brings back to the lungs. The carbon dioxide leaves the bloodstream, gets into the lungs, and is sent out of the body on your dog’s next out-breath. Having enough red blood cells to carry oxygen and remove carbon dioxide is essential to your dog’s health and well-being.