Testing & Diagnostics

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

A blood test measuring red cells, white cells, and platelets. The CBC detects anemia, infection, immune disease, and bleeding disorders — a core component of annual wellness panels for dogs.

A complete blood count (CBC) measures the cellular components of blood across three lineages: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. It is one of the two fundamental blood tests in veterinary medicine (the other being the serum chemistry panel).

CBC Components

Red Blood Cell Parameters

Parameter	What It Measures	Clinical Significance
PCV/Hematocrit	% of blood volume that is red cells	Low = anemia; high = dehydration or polycythemia
Hemoglobin (Hgb)	Oxygen-carrying protein concentration	Parallel to PCV; both low in anemia
RBC count	Number of red cells per µL	Context for PCV and Hgb
MCV	Mean cell volume (size)	Low = iron-deficiency; high = regenerative anemia
MCHC	Mean cell hemoglobin concentration	Low = iron-deficiency; high = hemolysis
Reticulocytes	Immature red cells	Elevated = bone marrow responding to anemia (regenerative)

White Blood Cell Parameters

Cell Type	Normal Function	Elevation Suggests
Neutrophils	Bacterial killing	Infection, inflammation, steroid response
Lymphocytes	Immune response	Viral infection, chronic disease, lymphoma
Monocytes	Tissue macrophage precursor	Chronic inflammation, fungal infection
Eosinophils	Allergy, parasite response	Parasites, allergic disease
Basophils	Rare; hypersensitivity reactions	Allergy, mast cell disease

Platelets

Platelets (thrombocytes) are critical for clotting. Low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia) cause bleeding tendencies. Very low counts (<30,000/µL) carry risk of spontaneous hemorrhage.

When a CBC Is Needed

Annual wellness screening (all dogs)
Pre-anesthetic screening
Evaluation of lethargy, pale gums, bleeding, weight loss
Monitoring during chemotherapy (bone marrow suppression)
Any time systemic illness is suspected

Laparoscopic Gastropexy