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Blood
tests help doctors determine causes of Illness accurately, safely,
and quickly and let us monitor the progress of medical treatments.
To help you understand your pet's test results, this guide explains
common tests.. We want you to understand our recommendations and be
a partner in your pet's care.
Complete blood count (CBC)
This is the most common blood test performed on pets and people. A
CBC gives information on hydration status, anemia, infection, the
blood's clotting ability, and the ability of the immune system to
respond. This test is essential for pets with fevers, vomiting,
diarrhea, weakness, pale gums, or loss of appetite. If your pet
needs surgery, a CBC can help detect bleeding disorders or other
unseen abnormalities.
HCT (hematocrit) measures the percentage of blood made up by
red blood cells. Low numbers indicate anemia (blood loss) while high
numbers may indicate dehydration or other problems.
Hb and MCHC (hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin
concentration) Hemoglobin is the molecule that carries oxygen in the
blood. Low numbers indicate problems with the ability to carry
oxygen.
WBC (white blood cell count) measures the body's immune
cells. High numbers may indicate infection, inflammation or cancer.
Low numbers may indicate immune suppression, cancer or overwhelming
infection.
GRANS and L/M (granulocytes and lymphocytes/monocytes) are
specific types of white blood cells.
EOS (eosinophils) are a specific type of white blood cells
that may indicate allergic or parasitic conditions.
PLT (platelet count) measures cells that form blood clots.
RETICS (reticulocytes) are immature red blood cells. High
levels indicate regenerative anemia.
Blood chemistries
These common blood serum tests evaluate organ function, electrolyte
status, hormone levels, and more. They are important in evaluating
any sick pet, pets receiving long-term medications, pet’s undergoing
anesthesia and as screening tests for elderly pets.
ALB (albumin) Is a serum protein that helps evaluate
hydration, hemorrhage, and intestinal, liver, and kidney disease.
ALKP (alkaline phosphatase) elevations may indicate liver
damage, Cushing's disease, uterine infection, bone cancer and active
bone growth in young pets. This test is especially significant in
cats.
ALT (alanine aminotransferase) is a sensitive indicator of
active liver damage but doesn't indicate the cause.
AMYL (amylase) elevations help us evaluate pancreatitis.
AST (aspartate aminotransferase) increases may indicate
liver, heart, or skeletal muscle damage.
BUN (blood urea nitrogen) indicates kidney function. An
increased blood level is called azotemia and can be caused by
kidney, liver, and heart disease, urethral obstruction, shock, and
dehydration.
Ca (calcium) deviations can indicate a variety of diseases.
Cancer, hyperparathyroidism, kidney disease, vitamin D toxicity and
low albumin are just a few of the conditions that alter serum
calcium.
CHOL (cholesterol) is used to supplement diagnosis of
hypothyroidism, liver disease, Cushing's disease, and diabetes
mellitus.
CI (chloride) is an electrolyte often lost with vomiting and
Addison's disease. Elevations often indicate dehydration.
Cortisol is a hormone that is involved in stress response.
High numbers may indicate Cushing's disease while low numbers may
indicate Addison's disease (ACTH stimulation test).
CREA (creatinine) reveals kidney function. High numbers
indicate loss of kidney function but not the cause
GGT (gamma glutamyl transferase) is an enzyme that indicates
liver disease or corticosteroid excess.
GLOB (globulin) is a blood protein that often increases with
chronic inflammation and certain disease states.
GLU (glucose) Is a blood sugar. Elevated levels may indicate
diabetes mellitus. Low levels can cause collapse, seizures, or coma.
K (potassium) is an electrolyte lost with vomiting, diarrhea,
or excessive urination. Increased levels may indicate kidney
failure, Addison's disease, dehydration, and urethral obstruction.
High levels can lead to cardiac arrest. Low levels lead to weakness
and disorientation.
LIP (lipase) is an enzyme that may indicate pancreatitis when
it is elevated.
Na (sodium) is an electrolyte lost with vomiting, diarrhea,
and kidney and Addison's disease. This test helps indicate hydration
status.
PHOS (phosphorus) elevations are often associated with kidney
disease, hyperthyroidism, and bleeding disorders.
TBIL (total bilirubin) elevations may indicate liver or
hemolytic disease. This test helps identify bile duct problems and
certain types of anemia.
TP (total protein) indicates hydration status and provides
additional information about the liver, kidneys, and infectious
diseases.
T4 (thyroxine) is a thyroid hormone. Decreased levels often
signal hypothyroidism in dogs, while high levels Indicate
hyperthyroidism in cats.
While fully understanding and interpreting laboratory tests takes
years of training, we hope that this handout has helped you
understand some basic concepts behind the tests we regularly run on
your pets. If you have any questions about your pet’s laboratory
results, or any aspect of his/her health care, feel free to speak
with any of our well trained staff members or with our
veterinarians.
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