Complete Blood Count and Chemistry Profile Terms :: McKee-Pownall Veterinary Services

You have had your horse’s blood tested & may be curious as to what it all means. The following table contains a brief explanation of the Complete Blood Count (CBC):

Term	Definition
CBC	Complete blood count, includes RBC, HGB, HCT, WBC, differential, MCV, MCH, MCHC & platelet values
RBC	Total red blood cell count, if low = anemia, if high = erythrocytosis
HGB	Hemoglobin –measures the oxygen carrying ability of the RBC
HCT	Hematocrit –measures % of red blood cells in whole blood, also called “packed cell volume” (PCV)
MCV, MCH & MCHC	Calculated values that correlate the amount of hemoglobin and the size of the red blood cells
Platelets	A component of the blood clotting system
WBC	Total white blood cell count, which provides an overall number of all types of WBC’s - neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils & basophils. They play a role in inflammation and fighting infection
Differential	Quantifies the amount and relative percentage of neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils & basophils
Neutrophil	These cells typically make up about 2/3 of the total WBC count.
Lymphocyte	Usually make up about 1/3 of the total WBC count. If your horse was stressed at the time of collection (recent excitement of exercise) this may elevate the count.
Monocytes, Eosinophils, Basophils	Typically very low percentage on the differential, elevations can indicate certain inflammatory conditions such as allergies or parasitism.

You have had your horse’s blood tested & may be curious as to what it all means. The following table contains a brief explanation of the Chemistry Profile

Term	Definition
Chemistry Profile	panel of tests that analyzes organ (kidney, liver etc.) functions
NA	Sodium. Plays a role in water regulation. Main source is from the diet, and level can indicate intake or possibly loss (diarrhea)
K	Potassium. Elevated levels can be deadly! Increases can be due to renal disease, Addisons, HYPP in Quarter Horses. Low levels can be due to decreased intake or loss (diarrhea), excessive sweating.
tC02	Total bicarbonate level. Increased levels indicate metabolic alkalosis. Decreased levels indicate metabolic acidosis. Important in racing industry as increased levels = positive test, fines, suspensions etc.
CK	Creatine kinase. Muscle enzyme, elevated with muscle damage. Peaks 4-6 hrs. after injury. Peaks before AST.
GLU	Glucose. Can be elevated with a recent meal, decreased with liver dysfunction, or prolonged time between blood collection and analysis.
CA	Calcium. Low levels may be associated with low protein levels.
BUN	Blood urea nitrogen. Increases with kidney disease. Decreases with liver failure, low protein diet & anabolic steroid use.
CRE	Creatinine. Increases with kidney disease.
AST	Liver and muscle enzyme, will be elevated with liver or muscle damage. Peaks about 24 hours after injury has occurred
TBIL	Total bilirubin level. Measures liver function. May be elevated by liver disease & anorexia (not eating).
GGT	Liver enzyme, elevated with bile stasis, large colon obstruction.
ALB	Albumin, a type of blood protein; can be decreased in chronic liver disease, inflammation, kidney disease, intestinal malabsorption & malnutrition. Increased levels indicate severe dehydration.
GLOB	Globulins, a type of blood protein; often increased with inflammation, immune-mediated disease & some neoplasms. Decreased levels occur with passive transfer failure in foals, severe protein loss.
A/G Ratio	Compares the ratio of the amount of albumin to globulins
TP	Total protein, measures protein in the blood; can indicate dehydration if elevated. Decreases with kidney & GI disease, liver failure & starvation.