Understanding Your Pet's Bloodwork

HCT (Hematocrit) 

Measures the percentage of red blood cells to detect anemia and dehydration.

Hb and MCHC (Hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration) 

Measures the oxygen carrying pigment of red blood cells (corpuscles).

WBC (White Blood Cell Count)

Measures the body’s immune cells.  Increases or decreases can indicate certain diseases or infections.

GRANS and L/M (granulocytes and lymphocytes/monocytes) 

A specific type of white blood cell.

EOS (eosinophils)

A specific type of white blood cell that may indicate allergic or parasitic conditions.

PLT (Platelet Count)

Measures the cells that form blood clots.

RETICS (reticulocytes)

Immature red blood cells.  High levels indicate regenerative anemia.

ALB (Albumin)

A serum protein that helps evaluate hydration, hemorrhage and diseases that affect the intestines, liver and kidneys.

ALKP (Alkaline phosphatase)

Elevations may indicate liver damage, Cushing’s disease and active bone growth in young pets.  This test is especially significant in cats.

ALT (alanine aminotransferase)

A sensitive indicator of active liver disease but doesn’t indicate the cause.

AMYL (amylase)

Elevations show pancreatitis or kidney disease.

AST (aspartate aminotransferase)

Increases may indicate liver, heart or skeletal muscle damage.

BUN (blood urea nitrogen)

Indicates kidney function.  An increased blood level is called azotemia and can be caused by kidney, liver and 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 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 often indicate dehydration.

Cortisol

A hormone that is measured in tests for Cushing’s disease (low-dose dexamethasone suppression test) and Addison’s disease (ACTH stimulation test)

CREA (creatinine)

Reveals kidney function.  This test helps distinguish between kidney and non-kidney causes of 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)

Is a blood sugar.  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 or 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, and kidney or Addison’s disease.  This test 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 information about the liver, kidneys and infectious diseases.

T4 (thyroxine)

Is a thyroid hormone.  Decreased levels often signal hypothyroidism in dogs, while high levels indicate hyperthyroidism in cats.