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Complete Blood Count (CBC) 1327

Next Diagnostic Steps to Consider Drug Effects Relative Cost: $$
if Levels are High Colloid solutions will increase the COP. The Pearls
VetBooks.ir solutions. Assess for hemolytic anemia and synthetic colloids (e.g., Hetastarch) as albumin • Patients with acute decreases in COP (e.g.,
oncotic effects of plasma last longer than
Rule out recent treatment with colloid
has a longer circulating half-life than synthetic
secondary to acute hemorrhage) are more
hyperglobulinemia.
Causes of Abnormally Low Levels colloids. likely to develop hypovolemia, hypoxia, and
edema compared to patients with chronic
Hypoalbuminemia (hemorrhage, exudative Lab Artifacts hypoalbuminemia (e.g., secondary to protein-
lesions, hepatic failure, intestinal or renal loss [p. In vitro hemolysis may cause a falsely increased losing enteropathy or nephropathy).
1239]); acidemia (decreases the Gibbs-Donnan COP. • Not offered by most reference laboratories;
effect) may be available through teaching hospitals
Specimen Collection and Handling or specialty/emergency hospitals or clinics.
Next Diagnostic Steps to Consider Serum (red top tube) or plasma (lavender top
if Levels are Low tube); separate from cells as soon as possible. AUTHOR: Shannon D. Dehghanpir, DVM, MS, DACVP
Evaluate for blood/albumin loss, hepatic COP is measured with a commercial colloid EDITOR: Lois Roth-Johnson, DVM, PhD, DACVP
failure, sepsis/systemic inflammatory response osmometer.
syndrome, acidemia.

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

Definition Abnormal Erythrocyte Appearance Clinical Relevance
A group of routine hematologic tests for
measuring several parameters of erythrocytes, Acanthocyte (spur cell) Associated with vascular, liver, or
leukocytes, and platelets. Tests include indicators renal disease
of circulating erythrocyte mass (e.g., hemato-
crit, hemoglobin, erythrocyte concentration),
measurement of erythrocyte size and hemo- Codocyte (target cell) Regenerative anemia; liver or
globin concentration (e.g., MCV, MCHC), renal disease; abnormal lipid
reticulocytes, total and differential leukocyte metabolism
concentrations, platelet concentration and size,
and evaluation of morphology of blood cells on
a stained blood smear. A refractometric total Eccentrocyte Oxidative injury
plasma protein concentration is often included.
Synonyms Laboratory Tests
CBC, hemogram Keratocyte Vascular disease, including
hemangiosarcoma and
Physiology disseminated
Leukocytes, erythrocytes, and platelets are intravascular coagulation
produced in the bone marrow and then enter Heinz body Oxidative injury
peripheral circulation for various lengths of
time. Increased or decreased numbers of cells in
an aliquot of blood can be relative or absolute.
Abnormalities in cell numbers often suggest
specific disorders, including systemic disease or, Leptocyte Iron deficiency
less often, bone marrow disorders. In addition
to changes in cell number, microscopic examina-
tion of cell size and shape, or the presence of
cellular inclusions, can provide crucial clues as Schistocyte Vascular disease including
to disease presence. hemangiosarcoma, disseminated
intravascular coagulation
Reference Interval
See specific cell types.
Spherocyte Immune-mediated hemolysis or
Specimen Collection and Handling partial phagocytosis; unlike small
EDTA (lavender top tube) blood sample and red blood cells (microcytosis),
spherocytes have no central pallor
freshly prepared blood smear for lab to stain.
If in-clinic hematology analyzer is available, COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT Erythrocyte abnormalities. See discussion of various red blood cell morphologic
follow manufacturer recommendations and abnormalities (i.e., poikilocytosis).
examine a stained blood smear.
Relative Cost: $$

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