Complete Blood Count and Chemistry Profile Explained

COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT & CHEMISTRY PROFILE EXPLAINED CBC Profile A blood test reveals a snapshot of the horse's blood in time. Repeating the test provides a way to check progress. 5 THINGS VETS EVALUATE IN BLOOD RED BLOOD CELLS PLASMA OR SERUM WHITE BLOOD CELLS FIBRINOGEN PLATELETS RED BLOOD CELLS Size and shape can provide additional clues. ABNORMAL ABNORMAL SHAPE SIZE Changes in red blood cell count can Some parasites (such as indicate DEHYDRATION (too many) EHRLICHIA) can be seen in the red blood cells. or ANEMIA (too few). WHITE BLOOD CELLS Altered white blood cells can Changes in white blood cell count can indicate INFECTION. indicate BLOOD CANCERS. PLATELETS FIBRINOGEN Vets look for ELEVATED platelet numbers: LEVELS Elevated fibrinogen indicates INFECTION Low platelet counts can indicate issues such or INFLAMMATION. as TICK-BORNE or IMMUNE-MEDIATED diseases. SERUM OR PLASMA VETS MEASURE / THINGS IN PLASMA OR SERUM PROTEIN ELECTROLYTES ENZYMES BILIRUBIN GLUCOSE BUN LEVELS CREATININE Altered levels can indicate Metabolic abnormalities/ Cell/organ/ tissue damage KIDNEY or LIVER DAMAGE. altered nutrient levels theHORSE all