Understanding your pet’s work… To help you understand your pet’s test results, this guide explains common tests and indices pertinent to animal health.

Complete blood count (CBC) 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 you pet needs surgery, a CBC can detect disorders or other unseen abnormalities.

o HCT (Hematocrit) - measures the percentage of red o Lymphocytes/ Monocytes/ Neutrophils - specific blood cells to detect anemia and dehydration. types of WBCs

o Hb or MCHC (Hemoglobin and mean corpuscular o Eosinophils - specific type of WBC that may indicate hemoglobin concentration) - help determine the allergic or parasitic conditions. blood’s ability to carry oxygen. o PTL (Platelet count) - type of blood element that is o WBC (White blood cell count) - measures the body’s involved in the clotting process. immune cells. Increases or decreases indicate certain disease or infections.

Blood Chemistries These common blood tests help evaluate organ function, status, hormone levels, and more. They are important in evaluating older pets, pets with vomiting and diarrhea or toxin exposure, pets receiving long-term medications, and health before anesthesia.

o ALB (Albumin)-is serum protein that helps evaluate o GLOB (Globulin) - is a blood protein that can be hydration, hemorrhage, and intestinal, liver, and abnormal with chronic inflammation and certain disease. gastrointestinal disorders.

o ALKP () - elevations may o GLU (Glucose) – is the . Elevated indicate liver damage, Cushing’s disease, and active levels may indicate diabetes mellitus. Low levels can bone growth in young pets. cause collapse, seizures, or coma.

o ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase) - is a sensitive o K (Potassium) - is an electrolyte lost in vomiting, indicator of active liver damage. diarrhea, or excessive urination. Increased levels my indicate , Addison’s disease, o AMYL () - elevations can occur with dehydration, and urethral obstruction. High levels pancreatitis but not always. can lead to cardiac arrest.

o BUN (Blood Nitrogen) - assesses kidney function. o Na (Sodium) - is an electrolyte lost with vomiting, An increased BUN is called azotemia and can be diarrhea, kidney, and Addison’s disease. This test caused by kidney, liver, or heart disease, urethral also helps assess hydration status. obstruction, , or dehydration. o PHOS (Phosphorus) - elevations are often associated o Ca (Calcium) - deviations can indicate a variety with , hyperthyroidism, and bleeding of diseases. Tumors, hyperparathyroidism, kidney disorders. disease, and low albumin are just a few of the conditions that alter serum calcium. o TBIL (Total ) - elevations may indicate liver or hemolytic disease. This test helps identify bile duct o CHOL () - is used to supplement diagnosis problems and certain types of anemia. of hypothyroidism, liver disease, Cushing’s disease, and diabetes mellitus. o TP (Total Protein) - assesses hydration status and provides additional information about the liver, o Cl (Chloride) – is an electrolyte lost with vomiting kidneys, and infectious diseases. and Addison’s disease. Elevations often indicate dehydration. o T4 (Thyroxine)-is a thyroid hormone. Decreased levels often signal hypothyroidism in dogs, while high o CREA () - assesses kidney function. This test levels indicate hyperthyroidism in cats. helps distinguish between kidney and non-kidney elevations of BUN.

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