From your veterinarian Understanding your pet’s work Blood tests help us determine your pet’s health status and causes of illness accurately, safely, and quickly and let us monitor the progress of medical treatments. A checkmark in any box indicates a significant abnormal finding on your pet’s blood work. If you have questions, ask any staff member. We want you to understand our recommendations and be a partner in your pet’s care.

Complete blood count (CBC) The most common test, a CBC gives information on > WBC (white blood cell) count classifies and hydration status, anemia, infection, the blood’s clotting measures the body’s immune cells. Increases or ability, and the immune system’s ability to respond. decreases indicate certain diseases or infections. > HCT (hematocrit) measures the percentage of red > EOS (eosinophils) are a specific type blood cells to detect anemia and dehydration. of white blood cells that, if elevated, may indicate allergic or parasitic conditions. > Hb and MCHC (hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration) measure hemoglobin, the > PLT (platelet count) measures cells that help oxygen-carrying pigment of red blood cells (corpuscles). stop by forming blood clots. > GRANS and L/M (granulocytes and lymphocytes/ > RETICS (reticulocytes) are immature red blood monocytes) are specific types of white blood cells cells. high or low levels help classify anemias.

Serum chemistry profile and low albumin are just a few of the cause collapse, seizures, or coma. conditions that alter calcium. These common tests evaluate > K (potassium) is an organ function, electrolyte status, > CHOL () is used lost with vomiting, diarrhea, or hormone levels, and more. to supplement diagnosis excessive urination. Increased > ALB (albumin) is a serum protein of hypothyroidism, liver levels may indicate failure, that helps evaluate hydration, disease, Cushing’s disease, Addison’s disease, dehydration, and hemorrhage, and intestinal, and diabetes mellitus. urethral obstruction. High levels can liver, and kidney health. > Cl (chloride) is an electrolyte lead to cardiac arrest and death. often lost with vomiting and > ALKP or ALP () > LIP () is an enzyme that may Addison’s disease. Elevations elevations may indicate liver indicate pancreatitis when elevated. often indicate dehydration. damage, Cushing’s disease, and > Na (sodium) is an electrolyte lost Cortisol is a hormone that is active bone growth in young pets. > with vomiting, diarrhea, and kidney measured in tests for Cushing’s ALT (alanine aminotransferase) or Addison’s diseases. This test also > disease (the low-dose dexamethasone is a sensitive indicator of active helps indicate hydration status. suppression test) and Addison’s liver damage but doesn’t disease (ACTH stimulation test). > PHOS (phosphorous) elevations indicate the cause. are often associated with kidney > CREA () reflects , hyperthyroidism, > AMYL () elevations show function. This test helps distinguish and bleeding disorders. pancreatitis or kidney disease. between kidney and nonkidney > AST (aspartate aminotransferase) causes of elevated BUN. > TBIL (total ) elevations may increases may indicate liver, heart, > GGT (gamma-glutamyl indicate liver or hemolytic disease. or skeletal muscle damage. transpeptidase) is an enzyme that, This test helps identify bile duct problems and certain types of anemia. > BUN (blood nitrogen) reflects when elevated, indicates liver kidney function. An increased disease or corticosteroid excess. > TP (total protein) indicates blood level is called azotemia and > GLOB (globulin) is a blood hydration status and provides can be caused by kidney, liver, and protein that often increases information about the liver, heart disease, urethral obstruction, with chronic inflammation and kidneys, and infectious diseases. , and dehydration. certain disease states. > T4 (thyroxine) is a thyroid hormone. > Ca (calcium) deviations can > GLU (glucose) is blood sugar. Decreased levels often signal indicate a variety of diseases. Tumors, Elevated levels may indicate diabetes hypothyroidism in dogs, while high hyperparathyroidism, kidney disease, mellitus or stress. Low levels can levels indicate hyperthyroidism in cats.