Final answer:
Cats commonly exhibit a significant increase in lymphocyte count, known as lymphocytosis, when excited or stressed. This is known as a 'stress leukogram' and is particularly seen in cats compared to other domestic animals.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lymphocytosis refers to an increase in the number of lymphocytes in the blood, which are a type of white blood cell vital for the immune response. Among the listed domestic animals, cats commonly exhibit a significant lymphocytosis when they are excited or stressed. This physiological response is part of what is known as a 'stress leukogram', which is a typical change in the white blood cell profile of a cat when under stress.
Unlike cats, other domestic animals such as dogs, cows, and horses do not typically show this same pattern of lymphocytosis under excitement. It is important to understand these differences when interpreting complete blood count (CBC) results, as what is considered a normal response for one species may indicate an underlying condition in another. This knowledge is specifically useful in the practice of veterinary medicine and helps practitioners provide better care for their animal patients.