UNDERSTANDING YOUR PET'S BLOOD TESTS
"CBC, chem 7, STAT!" This may sound familiar if you watch popular television shows, such as E.R., Chicago
Hope, and Emergency Vets. Despite the Hollywood drama these are real tests that give the doctor critical
information regarding the internal functions of the patient. The doctor uses these tests to help diagnose disease,
assess response to medication and determine anesthetic safety. Identifying potential problems early is "the key"
to preventive medicine!
To help you understand your pet's blood test results this guide explains some of the common tests.
CBC (complete blood count)
This is a common tests performed on people and
pets. It gives helpful information regarding dehydration, anemia, infection and blood clotting ability.
Pets with fevers, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness or
loss of appetite may benefit from this test. Pets
undergoing surgery are also helped.
HCT (hematocrit) measures the percentage of
red blood cells. It is helpful to determine
blood weakness or dehydration.
Hb (hemoglobin) help determine the oxygen
carrying capacity of the blood.
WBC (white blood cell count) measures the
body's immune cells. Increases or
decreases indicate certain diseases, infection and one form of cancer.
GRANS / LYMPHS are specific types of white
blood cells.
EOS (eosinophils) are another type of white
blood cell that may indicate certain allergies
or parasitic infections.
PLATELETS measures cells that help in blood
clotting function.
RETICS (reticulocytes) are immature red blood
cells.High
levels
suggest
regenerative
anemia.
FIBRINOGEN is another blood clotting function
test.High levels can also mean pregnancy.
CHEM-7 (blood chemistries)
These common tests evaluate the function of the
internal organs, body salt levels, hormone levels and
more. They are important in evaluating older pets,
pets with vomiting or diarrhea, poison exposure,
pets receiving long term medications and a pet's
health prior to anesthesia.
ALBUMIN is a blood protein that helps the doct-or
evaluate hydration, hemorrhage, intestinal,
liver and kidney disease.
ALKPHOS (alkaline phosphatase) elevations
may indicate liver damage, Cushing's
disease, diabetes or low thyroid.
ALT (SGPT) is a sensitive indicator of active liver
disease but doesn't indicate the cause.
AMYLASE elevations suggest pancreas gland
infections or kidney disease.
BUN (blood urea nitrogen) indicates kidney or
liver function, dehydration, shock or
urinary obstruction.
CALCIUM deviations can indicate many different
problems. Over-active parathyroid glands,
kidney disease, certain forms of cancer can
be detected.
CHOLESTEROL is a supplemental test to help
reveal thyroid disorders, liver disease,
diabetes and Cushing's disease.
CORTISOL is a hormone that is measured to
detect Cushing's or Addison's disease,
both hormone disorders.
CREATININE levels reveal kidney function. It
helps additionally if the BUN is elevated.
GLOBULIN is a blood protein that increases with
chronic inflammation and certain diseases.
GLUCOSE is a blood sugar. Elevated levels can
indicate stress or diabetes. Low levels can
cause collapse, seizures or coma.
K (potassium) is an electrolyte (body salt) lost
with vomiting, diarrhea or excessive urina
tion. Increased levels indicate kidney or
Addison's disease, dehydration or urethral
obstruction. High levels can result in death.
LIPASE is an enzyme that measures inflammation of the pancreas (digestive) gland.
NA (sodium) is an electrolyte lost due to
vomiting, diarrhea, kidney or Addison's
disease.
PHOSPHORUS elevations are often associated
with kidney disease, over active thyroid
glands or bleeding disorders.
TOTAL BILIRUBIN elevations may indicate liver
obstruction or blood destruction.
TP (total protein) indicates dehydration, liver,
kidney and infectious diseases.
T4 (thyroxine) is a thyroid gland hormone.
Decreased levels can be problems for dogs
and increased levels are common in the
older cat.