Understanding your pet’s blood work
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
This is the most common blood test performed on pets and people. A CBC gives information on hydration status, anaemia, infection, the blood’s clotting ability, and the ability of the immune system to respond. This test is essential for pets with fevers, vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness, pale gums, or loss of appetite. If your pet needs surgery, a CBC can detect some bleeding disorders or other unseen abnormalities.
Red Cell Count measures the total number of red blood cells per volume of blood. It is used in detecting anaemia and other disorders of red blood cells. MCV (Mean Cell Volume) measures the volume of the individual red blood cell.
- Haemoglobin is the oxygen-carrying pigment of red blood cells. MCHC and MCH (mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration and mean corpuscular haemoglobin) are all measures of haemoglobin and used in differentiating some anaemias.
- PCV (packed Cell Volume or hematocrit) measures the percentage of red blood cells to detect anaemia and dehydration.
White Cell Count (white blood cell count) measures the body’s immune cells. Increases or decreases may indicate certain diseases, infections or inflammation.
- Neutrophils, lymphocytes and monocytes are specific types of white blood cells. Disturbances of these may indicate infection, stress, cancer, hormonal imbalances and other conditions.
- Eosinophils are a specific type of white blood cell that may indicate allergic or parasitic conditions.
Platelet count measures cells that help to form blood clots.
Reticulocytes are immature red blood cells. High levels indicate rebuilding of red blood cell numbers.