Complete Blood Count (CBC)

The CBC evaluates red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs) and platelets and can indicate the presence of an infection or disease or a deficiency of red blood cells or platelets.

 

RBCs are important because they carry oxygen from the lungs to all body tissues.  An indirect measurement of RBCs can be made by measuring the volume of red cells as a percent of the whole blood. This is called a hematocrit or packed cell volume (PCV). A low hematocrit and a low RBC count both indicate the presence of anemia. A high hematocrit can indicate dehydration.

 

WBCs are important for preventing and fighting infection. WBC numbers increase when the immune system is stimulated, such as an in an infection, parasitic disease and allergies. There are five types of WBCs. A CBC includes a count of total WBC number as well as a differential. A differential is a determination of the different types of WBCs.

 

Platelets are thin, disc-shaped cells. The platelet count is important because platelets play a crucial role in the clotting of blood, along with coagulation factors produced by the liver.

Thyroid Tests

Thyroid tests evaluate the function of the thyroid gland. Too little thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism) is common in dogs whereas too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) is common in older cats. Because there is no single thyroid test that can diagnose all thyroid diseases in animals, several different thyroid tests are used to assure proper results (T4, T3, Free T4, etc.).

 

T4 (thyroxin), one of the hormones produced by the thyroid gland is usually present in diminished amounts in the blood of dogs with hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid glands). TSH thyroid stimulating hormone) is produced by the pituitary gland and is elevated in the blood of most dogs with hypothyroidism.

Superchem - Chemistry Tests

Liver (AST, ALT, Alk Phos, Total Bilirubin, GGT, Cholesterol, Proteins)
This  group  of  tests  helps  evaluate  various  functions  and  health  of  the  liver. Decreased liver function, inflammation,  infection, or  neoplasia  of the  liver  and  gall bladder  may be detected by one or all of these tests.

 

Kidney (BUN, Creatinine, Phosphorus, Amylase, Albumin)
These tests monitor the function and health of the kidneys. They are most helpful and sensitive for detecting kidney disease when combined with a urinalysis.

 

Pancreas (Glucose, Amylase, Lipase, Triglyceride)
These  tests  are  abnormal  when there  is something  wrong with the pancreas or carbohydrate metabolism (examples are diabetes mellitus and pancreatitis).

 

Muscle and Bone

• Calcium and Phosphorus are helpful in determining the health of bone metabolism.

• CPK and AST are abnormal with muscle damage, trauma or inflammation (mytosis).

• Electrolytes (Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, Calcium, Phosphorous)

These tests are important in monitoring the electrical, water balance and cellular health of the body. Deficiencies or excesses of these electrolytes are harmful to an animal's physical and mental well-being.

Titers

A "titer" is a measurement of how much antibody of a certain virus (or other antigen) is circulating in the blood at that moment. Titers are usually expressed in a ratio, which is how many times they could dilute the blood until they couldn't find antibodies anymore.