Blood Work
Veterinarians commonly use blood tests to help aid in diagnosing ailments. It
is helpful to understand the basics about what these blood tests tell us. Blood
components change in a predictable way relative to specific disease processes.
Therefore, these tests are helpful in diagnosing disease.
The common name for evaluating white and red cell counts is Complete Blood
Cell count (CBC). The following outline shows the purposes of both cells and
what the count tells us.
WBC (White Blood Cell)
1. Purpose: to carry out immune systems functions
a. Bacterial infection
b. Viral infection
c. Inflammation
d. Stress
e. Allergic Reaction
RBC (Red Blood Cells)
1. Purpose: to carry oxygen throughout the body
a. Anemia – decrease in RBC
Causes: parasites, chronic inflammation,
gastro-intestinal blood loss
b. Dehydration – increase in RBC
Causes: diarrhea, shock, splenic contraction
Serum biochemistry panel aids in diagnosing the working condition of specific
organs and systems such as liver, kidneys, endocrine, heart and muscles. The
serum biochemistry machine we have at Abraham’s Equine Clinic is a Vet Scan. It
measures the following:
| Test |
Disorder |
| Albumin (ALB) |
Liver and kidney disease |
| Aspartate Amino Transferase (AST) |
Liver disease, viral jaundice, shock, muscle Damage |
| Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) |
Liver and kidney disease |
| Calcium (Ca) |
Parathyroid, bone, chronic kidney disease, tetanus |
| Creatine (Cre) |
kidney disease |
| Gamma Glutamyltransferase (GGT) |
Liver disease, primary and secondary liver tumors |
| Glucose (Glu) |
Diabetes, hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, liver disease |
| Total Bilirubin (Tbil) |
Liver disorders, bile duct obstruction |
| Total Protein (TP) |
Dehydration, liver and kidney disease, meta-bolic and nutritional
disorders, and parasites |
| Globulin (Glob) |
Liver disease, inflammation or infectious conditions |
| Creatine Kinase (CK) |
Muscle damage |
These are some of the most common tests veterinarians can use to aid in
diagnosing disease in the equine. The above tests, along with thorough
examination and complete history, give veterinarians the ability to make an
accurate diagnosis. Testing may need to be repeated to follow the progress of
the animal’s condition. We are always willing to answer further questions you
may have on these or other tests run on your horse.
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