Understanding Blood Work
Blood tubes about to be tested
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, blood 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 detect bleeding disorders or other unseen abnormalities.
- HCT & RBC (hematocrit & red blood cell number) measures the percentage and absolute number of red blood cells to detect anemia and dehydration.
- Hb, MCHC, MCH and MCV measures the oxygen-carrying pigment and size and shape of the red blood cells.
- WBC (white blood cell count) measures the body's immune cells. Increases or decreases indicate certain diseases or infections.
Blood Chemistries
These common blood serum tests evaluate kidney and liver function and can help to diagnose a variety of diseases. They are important because they give us information about your pet that we cannot detect on a physical examination. They also allow us to have a baseline value that we can use as a comparison should something unforeseen arise that necessitates further blood tests. Lastly, should your pet need to be anesthetized for any reason it will give us more information about your pet that decreases his or her anesthetic risks.
- 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, and active bone growth in young pets.
- ALT (alanine aminotransferase) is a sensitive indicator of active liver damage but doesn't determine the cause.
- AML (amylase) elevations show pancreatitis or kidney disease.
- BUN/Urea (blood urea nitrogen) relates to kidney function. An increased blood level can be caused by kidney, liver, heart disease, urethral obstruction, shock, and dehydration.
- Ca (calcium) deviations can indicate a variety of diseases. Tumors, hyperparathyroidism, kidney disease, and low albumin are just a few of the conditions that can alter serum calcium.
- CHOL (cholesterol) is used to supplement diagnosis of hypothyroidism, liver disease, Cushing's disease, and diabetes mellitus.
- Cl (chloride) is an electrolyte often lost with vomiting and Addison's disease. Elevations can indicate dehydration.
- CREA (creatinine) reveals kidney function. This test helps distinguish between kidney and non-kidney causes of an elevated BUN.
- 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) refers to the sugar levels in the blood. 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.
- LIP (lipase) is an enzyme that may indicate pancreatitis.
- Na (sodium) is an electrolyte lost with vomiting, diarrhea, kidney disease and Addison's disease. This test also 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, kidney, and infectious diseases.
- T4 (thyroxine) is a thyroid hormone. Decreased levels often signal hypothyroidism in dogs, while high levels indicate hyperthyroidism in cats.