Appendix II: Interpretation of Laboratory Results
CBC
Hematocrit, Hemoglobin, RBC Count, PCV
Increased:
Relative erythrocytosis–
Dehydration
Splenic contraction
Absolute erythrocytosis-
Primary-
Neoplasia of hemopoietic cells
Secondary-
Physiologic (poor tissue oxygenation)
Inappropriate (increased erythropoietin, e.g. due to renal neoplasia)
Decreased:
Anemia- Regenerative
Blood loss- internal blood loss more regenerative than external
Trauma
Parasitism
Intestinal hemorrhage (e.g. ulcers, enteritis, neoplasia)
Genitourinary bleeding
Hemolysis– Intravascular
Immune-mediated
Bacterial infection (e.g. Clostridia)
Erythrocyte parasites (e.g. Babesia)
Neonatal isoerythrolysis
Excessive water consumption
Hypotonic fluid administration
Transfusion reaction
Hypophosphatemia
Erythrocyte metabolic defect (e.g. PFK deficiency)
Mechanical shearing
Hemolysis- Extravascular
Immune-mediated
Erythrocyte parasites (e.g. Mycoplasma)
Erythrocyte metabolic defect (e.g. PK deficiency)
Neoplasia (e.g. histiocytic sarcoma, hemophagocytic histiocytic sarcoma)
Anemia– Non-Regenerative
Underlying disease
Neoplasia
Inflammatory disease
Endocrine disease (e.g. hypothyroidism, hypoadrenocorticism)
Bone marrow pathology
Erythroid hypoplasia or aplasia-
Toxins
Drugs/Chemicals
Hormones
Irradiation
Marrow necrosis
Marrow infiltration (myelophthisis)-
Neoplastic cells
Fibroblasts
Viral infection (e.g. FIV, FeLV)
Immune-mediated with antibodies to RBC precursors
MCV
Increased: Macrocytosis
Regenerative anemia (reticulocytosis)
Poodle macrocytosis
FeLV- megaloblastic change
DNA-acting drugs
Vitamin B12/Folate disorders
Decreased: Microcytosis
Iron deficiency
Portosystemic shunt
Asian dog breeds (e.g. Akita)
Young calves and foals
MCH
Increased:
Regenerative anemia
Decreased:
Iron deficiency
MCHC
Increased:
Artifact due to hemolysis
Decreased: Hypochromasia
Regenerative anemia (reticulocytosis)
Iron deficiency
RDW
Increased:
Regenerative anemia, especially IMHA (spherocytes and macrocytes)
Reticulocyte Count (not horses)
Increased:
Regenerative anemia
Residual regeneration post-recovery from anemia
Low grade blood loss or hemolysis with Hct maintained within RI
RPI (dogs only)
Increased:
Regenerative anemia
Neutrophils
Increased:
Epinephrine release due to excitement (often not above RI)
Corticosteroids
Chronic illness
Acute illness (e.g. trauma)
Corticosteroid administration
Inflammatory process
Infection
Non-specific inflammation
Necrosis
Secondary to hemolysis (e.g. IMHA)
Secondary to neoplasia
Neoplasia of granulocytic cell line
Paraneoplastic due to nonhemopoietic neoplasia
Decreased:
Acute severe inflammatory process
Normal fluctuation (mild decrease only)
Bone marrow pathology
Infections
Drugs
Chemicals
Antibodies/Immune-mediated
Necrosis
Infiltration/occupation-
Neoplastic cells
Fibroblasts
Hereditary disorder of granulopoiesis (e.g. cyclic hemopoiesis)
Eosinophils
Increased:
Parasitism
Hypersensitivity
Intestinal disease
Inflammatory disease
Eosinophilic organ disease
Lymphoid neoplasia (paraneoplastic)
Idiopathic eosinophilia
Hypereosinophilic syndrome
Mast cell disorders
Eosinophilic neoplasia
Hypoadrenocorticism
Decreased:
Cannot document given RI
Corticosteroids
Basophils
Increased:
Parasitism
Hypersensitivity
Inflammatory disease
Basophilic leukemia
Paraneoplastic
Decreased:
Cannot document given RI
Corticosteroids
Monocytes
Increased:
Increased demand for phagocytic activity
Inflammatory disease
Corticosteroids
Secondary to hemolysis (e.g. IMHA)
Neoplasia (histiocytic)
Decreased:
Cannot document given RI
Lymphocytes
Increased:
Chronic antigenic stimulation-
Bacterial, viral, rickettsial
Vaccination
Epinephrine release (fractious cats, young horses)
Corticosteroid deficiency (e.g. hypoadrenocorticism)
Neoplasia
Decreased:
Corticosteroids/Stress
Immunodeficiency syndromes
Leakage of chyle
Mast cells
Increased:
Neoplasia
Inflammatory disease
Platelet Estimate
Increased:
Rebound thrombocytosis
Neoplasia of megakaryocytes
Inflammation
Decreased:
Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia
Hemorrhage (increased losses)
Sequestration (usually in spleen)
Normal in Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dogs
Bone marrow pathology
Infectious
Drugs
Chemicals
Hormones
Necrosis
Infiltration-
Neoplastic cells
Fibroblasts
Myelodysplasia and impaired maturation
Neoplasia of megakaryocytes
Automated Platelet Count
Decreased:
Platelet clumping
See platelet estimate from smear evaluation
Total Protein
Measured by refractometry
Increased:
Hyperalbuminemia
Hyperglobulinemia +/- hyperfibrinogenemia
Panhyperproteinemia
Hypercholesterolemia
Hypertriglyceridemia
Hemolysis, increased glucose, increased urea
Unknown interfering molecules
Decreased:
Hypoalbuminemia
Hypoglobulinemia
Fibrinogen
Increased:
Inflammatory disease
Dehydration
Decreased:
Often difficult to document
Protein loss (part of panhypoproteinemia)
Hereditary defect
Increased consumption
Total Protein to Fibrinogen Ratio (when fibrinogen > RI)
Inflammation, dehydration, or both-
10-15 in cattle
15-20 in horses
Inflammation-
<10 in cattle
<15 in horses
Coagulation Profile
Bleeding Time
Increased:
Platelet receptor defect
NSAID administration
von Willebrand disease
Vascular defects
Not indicated if thrombocytopenia explains bleeding
PT, PTT
Increased PT with normal PTT–
Factor VII defect
Early coumarin toxicity
Increased PTT with normal PT-
Defect in-
Factor XII
Prekallikrein
HMWK
Factor XI
Factor IX (hemophilia B)
Factor VIII (hemophilia A)
Increased PT and PTT-
Common pathway defect-
Factor X
Factor V
Prothrombin
Fibrinogen
Multiple factor defect-
Vitamin K deficiency or antagonism
DIC&F
Coagulation inhibitors
Bile duct obstruction
Hepatic dysfunction
ACT
Same as PTT, but less sensitive
FDP
Increased:
DIC&F
Hepatic disease
Prior internal hemorrhage
| Fluid classification | Nucleated Cells | Protein |
| Transudate | ≤ 1.5 x 109/L | ≤ 25g/L |
| Modified Transudate | ≤ 7 x 109/L | > 25g/L |
| or > 1.5 x 109/L | ≤ 30g/L | |
| or > 1.5 x 109/L to 7 x 109/L | 25 – 30g/L | |
| Exudate | > 7 x 109/L | > 30g/L |
Flow chart (Figs. 5.10 and 5.11)
Criteria of malignancy (Fig. 5.17)
Anisocytosis; anisokaryosis; macrocytosis; high N:C ratio; pleomorphism (cellular and nuclear); multiple nuclei; macronuclei; prominent, large, multiple, abnormal nucleoli; increased mitoses; increased staining intensity.
Chemistry Panel
Sodium
Increased:
Sodium gain-
Sodium-containing IV fluids
Sodium-containing enemas
Oral- salt water, high sodium feed/product
Hyperaldosteronism
Water loss-
Hyperventilation
Extensive skin denudation
Water deprivation
CNS disease
Decreased:
Decreased dietary intake
Excessive loss-
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Hypoadrenocorticism
Acute hemorrhage
Drainage from third space
Renal disease- salt wasting
Potassium
Increased:
Oliguric/anuric renal failure
Urinary tract obstruction/rupture
Hypoadrenocorticism
Potassium-rich IV fluids
Bicarbonate loss metabolic acidosis
Diabetes mellitus
Massive muscle necrosis
Ion channel abnormalities, e.g. hyperkalemic periodic paralysis/paresis (HYPP)
Pseudohyperkalemia-
Sample aging (serum on cells, especially with reticulocytosis, leukocytosis, thrombocytosis)
Decreased:
Decreased intake
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Polyuric renal failure
Diuretics- non-K+-sparing
Hyperaldosteronism
Metabolic alkalosis
Insulin or bicarbonate therapy
Post-obstructive diuresis
Chloride
Increased:
Proximal renal tubular acidosis
Water loss- see sodium
Decreased:
Anorexia
Abomasal disorders
Vomiting
Upper GI obstruction
Gastrinoma
Overhydration
Bicarbonate
Increased:
Metabolic alkalosis
Decreased:
Metabolic acidosis-
Acid gain-
Lactic acid (diarrhea, grain overload, shock)
Ketones (diabetic ketoacidosis)
Renal acids (renal failure)
Exogenous toxins (ethylene glycol)
Ammonia (distal renal tubular acidosis)
Bicarbonate loss-
Diarrhea
Renal loss (proximal renal tubular acidosis)
Anion Gap
(Na+ + K+) – (Cl– + HCO3–)
Increased:
Increased unmeasured anions–
Lactic acid
Ketones
Renal acids
Ethylene glycol metabolites
Decreased:
Decreased unmeasured anions-
Hypoalbuminemia
Increased unmeasured cations
Calcium, total
Increased:
Dehydration/hyperproteinemia
Polyuria
Neoplasia-
Hyperparathyroidism (functional parathyroid tumor)
Hypercalcemia of malignancy (PTHrp)
Promotion of bone resorption (non PTHrp)
Bone lysis
Hypoadrenocorticism
Idiopathic hypercalcemia of cats
Hypervitaminosis D-
Increased dietary intake
Drug, rodenticide, plant ingestion
Vitamin D-like hormone (neoplasia, granulomatous lesions)
Renal disease (especially horses, young dogs)
Renal secondary hyperparathyroidism
Young age
Decreased:
Nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism
Anorexia (cattle)
Primary hypocalcemia-
Postparturient (cattle, horses)
Dietary (beef cattle)
Pregnancy (sheep)
Eclampsia (cat, dog)
Primary hypoparathyroidism-
Iatrogenic (parathyroidectomy)
Immune-mediated
Pancreatitis
Ethylene glycol toxicity
Hypoalbuminemia
Renal disease
Hypovitaminosis D
Phosphorus
Increased:
Prerenal azotemia (decreased renal excretion)
Renal disease
Young age (bone growth)
Hypoparathyroidism
Renal secondary hyperparathyroidism
Decreased:
Hyperparathyroidism
Hypercalcemia of malignancy
Neoplasia
Postparturient hemoglobinuria/hypophosphatemia
Magnesium
Increased:
Decreased renal excretion
Iatrogenic
Decreased:
Dietary deficiency
Decreased intake
Hypoalbuminemia (decreased protein binding)
Urea
Increased:
Prerenal azotemia (dehydration)
Postrenal azotemia (urolithiasis, uroabdomen)
Intestinal hemorrhage (rich protein source)
Decreased:
Diuresis
Hepatic dysfunction
Portosystemic shunt
Low protein diet
Creatinine
Increased:
See urea
Decreased:
Decreased muscle mass
Low muscle mass (young animals)
Glucose
Increased:
Epinephrine-induced
Diabetes mellitus
Glucocorticoid
Postprandial (cat, dog)
Decreased:
Artifactual (delayed serum separation)
Sepsis
Hepatic failure
Portosystemic shunt
Starvation
Toy breed juvenile hypoglycemia
Insulin or insulin-like production by leiomyoma, leiomyosarcoma, hepatoma, hepatocellular carcinoma
Xylitol toxicity (dogs)
Hypoadrenocorticism
Cholesterol
Increased:
Postprandial
Pancreatitis
Hypothyroidism
Hyperadrenocorticism
Diabetes mellitus
Protein-losing nephropathy
Hereditary defects of lipid metabolism
Decreased:
Hepatocellular dysfunction
End stage hepatic disease
Portosystemic shunt
Malabsorption
Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency
Protein-losing enteropathy
Hypoadrenocorticism
Bilirubin
Increased:
Accelerated erythrocyte destruction
Impaired hepatic blood flow
Hepatocellular pathology
Cholestasis
Anorexia
Sepsis
Alk Phos
Increased:
Cholestasis (cat, dog)
Increased osteoblastic activity
Age-related in growing animals
Induction (dogs)
ALT
Increased:
Hepatocellular injury (cat, dog)
Muscle injury (marked)
Induction or secondary to glucocorticoid hepatopathy (dogs)
AST
Increased:
Hepatocellular injury
Muscle injury
Induction or secondary to glucocorticoid hepatopathy (dogs)
SDH
Increased:
Hepatocellular injury
Induction or secondary to glucocorticoid hepatopathy (dogs)
GLDH
Increased:
Hepatocyte injury/necrosis
Induction or secondary to glucocorticoid hepatopathy (dogs)
GGT
Increased:
Cholestasis
Biliary hyperplasia
Colostrum absorption (neonates of certain species)
Induction or secondary to glucocorticoid hepatopathy (dogs)
CK
Increased:
Muscle injury-
Trauma
Recumbency (cattle, horses)
Vitamin E/selenium deficiency
Exertional rhabdomyolysis
Hereditary muscle disorders
Repeated seizure activity
Transport
Intramuscular injection
Venipuncture (especially if difficult)
Total Protein
Increased:
Panhyperproteinemia-
Dehydration
Hyperalbuminemia (dehydration)
Hyperglobulinemia
Decreased:
Panhypoproteinemia-
Acute blood loss
Overzealous fluid therapy
Protein-losing enteropathy
Exudative skin disease
Hepatic dysfunction
Hypoalbuminemia
Hypoglobulinemia
Albumin
Increased:
Dehydration
Hepatocellular neoplasia (rare)
Drugs (rare)
Decreased:
Acute blood loss
Overzealous fluid therapy
Inflammation (negative acute phase protein)
Protein-losing nephropathy
Starvation
Protein-losing enteropathy
Exudative skin disease
Hepatic disease
Chronic low protein intake
Globulins
Increased:
Inflammation (acute phase proteins)
Hepatic failure
Chronic antigenic stimulation
Neoplasia (B cell, plasma cell)
Decreased:
Acute blood loss
Overzealous fluid therapy
Protein-losing enteropathy
Exudative skin disease
Hepatic disease (α and β)
Immunodeficiency
A/G Ratio
Increased:
Immunodeficiency
Lack of antigenic stimulation
Unchanged:
Normal
Dehydration
Acute blood loss
Overzealous fluid therapy
Protein-losing enteropathy
Exudative skin disease
Hepatic dysfunction
Decreased:
Inflammation
Protein-losing nephropathy
Chronic antigenic stimulation
Neoplasia (B cell, plasma cell)
Hepatic dysfunction
Bile acids
Increased:
Portosystemic shunt
Hepatic dysfunction
Cholestasis
Amylase
Increased:
Pancreatitis (dogs)
Intestinal origin
Hepatic origin
Renal disease (especially oliguric/anuric)
Lipase
Increased:
Pancreatitis (dogs)
Renal disease (especially oliguric/anuric)
Gastrointestinal disease
Corticosteroid therapy
Pancreatic and hepatic neoplasia (dogs)
Urinalysis
Volume
Normal:
<50 mL/kg/day
Increased:
Renal failure
Diabetes mellitus
Diabetes insipidus
Hyperadrenocorticism
Hypoadrenocorticism
Diuretic therapy
Overhydration (IV fluids)
Psychogenic polydipsia
Decreased:
Renal failure (acute or end-stage chronic)
Dehydration
Water deprivation
Shock
DIC&F
Renal thromboembolism
Color
Normal:
Pale to dark yellow
Red:
Hematuria
Hemoglobinuria
Myoglobinuria
Dark amber:
Bilirubinuria
Clarity
Normal:
Clear (except horses, cats)
Cloudy:
Crystals (may be normal in horses)
Cells
Casts
Bacteria
Mucus
Fluids from reproductive tract
Lipid droplets (cats)
Specific gravity
Concentrated: >1.035 (cat), >1.030 (dog), > 1.025 (cattle, horses)
Normal
Dehydration
Isosthenuria: 1.008-1.012
Normal (if not azotemic)
Renal disease (if azotemic)
Dilute: ≤1.007
Normal
Diabetes insipidus
Polydipsia
pH
Acidic: <7.0
Protein/meat diet
Paradoxic aciduria
Alkaline: >7.0
Plant/cereal diet
Urinary tract infection (urease-producing bacteria)
Protein
Normal:
Negative to trace (depending on specific gravity, sediment findings)
Increased:
Glomerulonephritis
Renal amyloidosis
Urogenital tract pathology
Hematuria (pathologic or iatrogenic)
Glucose
Normal:
Negative
Increased:
Hyperglycemia (can be transient with excitement/stress in cats)
Tubular defect
Ketones
Normal:
Negative
Increased:
Negative energy balance
Starvation
Diabetes mellitus
High fat diet
Bilirubin
Normal:
Negative
1-2+ (dogs)
Increased:
Hyperbilirubinemia
Blood
Normal:
Negative
Increased:
Hematuria (pathologic or iatrogenic)
Hemoglobinuria
Myoglobinuria
WBC
Normal:
<5/hpf
Increased:
Urinary tract inflammation
Genital tract inflammation
Lower urogenital tract contamination of sample
Not increased (despite bacteriuria):
Hyperadrenocorticism
Diabetes mellitus
Immunosuppression
RBC
Normal:
<5/hpf
Increased:
Hematuria/urinary tract inflammation
Genital tract hemorrhage (free flow)
Iatrogenic
Epithelial cells
Normal:
Low numbers
Increased:
Neoplasia
Inflammation
Infection
Iatrogenic (catheterization)
Crystals
Normal:
Depends on species, type of crystal
Struvite:
Normal (cat, dog)
Feline lower urinary tract disease
Calcium oxalate dihydrate:
Normal (horse, cow, cat, dog)
Calcium disorders
Excess dietary vitamin C
Excess dietary oxalic acid
Ethylene glycol toxicity (CaOx monohydrate as well)
Calcium carbonate:
Normal (horse, hay diet)
Bilirubin:
Normal (dog)
Hyperbilirubinemia
Ammonium urate:
Purine metabolism defect (esp. Dalmatian)
Portosystemic shunt (large, spiky, brown “thorn apple” type)
Casts
Epithelial:
Tubular injury
Leukocyte:
Renal inflammation
Hyaline:
Renal protein loss
Bacteria
Normal:
Negative
Present:
Free flow sample
Urinary tract infection
Contamination (many sources)
Lipid droplets
Normal in cats
Special Chemistry
Serum iron
Increased:
Hemolysis
Iatrogenic (oversupplementation)
Hemochromatosis
Decreased:
Chronic blood loss
Dietary deficiency
Chronic inflammation
Young age
TIBC (Transferrin)
Increased:
Iron deficiency (not always increased in dogs with iron deficiency)
Decreased:
Chronic inflammation (may be normal)
Hepatic insufficiency
Serum ferritin
Increased:
Iatrogenic
Inflammation
Decreased:
Iron deficiency
Osmolality
Increased:
Hypernatremia
Hyperglycemia
Azotemia
Exogenous compounds (e.g. ethylene glycol)
Decreased:
Hyponatremia
Osmol Gap (Measured minus calculated)
Calculated SI Units: (2 x Na+) + urea + glucose
Conventional Units: (2 x Na+) + urea/2.8 + glucose/18
Increased gap:
Increased osmotically active solutes-
Ethanol
Ethylene glycol
Lactic acid
Ketoacid
Mannitol
Salicylic acid
Urine Protein to Creatinine Ratio (UPC Ratio)
Increased:
>0.4 in cats and >0.5 in dogs to <2 –
Early glomerular disease
Increased plasma proteins
Acute tubular injury
Congenital tubular disease
Cardiac disease
Extreme exertion
Hyperadrenocorticism
Fever
>2 –
Glomerular disease (glomerulonephritis, renal amyloidosis,
occasionally hyperadrenocorticism)
Ammonia
Increased:
Hepatic dysfunction
Portosystemic shunt
TLI
Increased:
Pancreatitis
Renal disease
Decreased:
Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency
Cobalamin
Decreased:
Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency
Lack of intrinsic factor
Bacterial overgrowth
Ileal mucosal pathology
Folate
Increased:
Bacterial overgrowth
Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency
Increased gastric acid secretion
Increased dietary intake
α1-Protease Inhibitor (in feces)
Increased:
Protein-losing enteropathy
Endocrine
PTH
Increased:
Hyperparathyroidism
Chronic renal failure
Decreased:
Hypoparathyroidism
Hypercalcemia of malignancy
Hypervitaminosis D
PTHrp
Increased:
Hypercalcemia of malignancy
T4, total
Increased:
Hyperthyroidism (cats)
Assay interference- autoantibodies (dogs)
Thyroid carcinoma (though not usually functional)
Decreased:
Hypothyroidism (dogs)
Drugs (e.g. glucocorticoids)
Greyhound breed
Iatrogenic (treatment for hyperthyroidism)
Congenital (horses)
TSH
Increased:
Hypothyroidism (with decreased T4)
Normal:
Does not rule out hypothyroidism
Cortisol
Baseline:
Variable (only useful if suspected hypoadrenocorticism)
ACTH stimulation test:
Exaggerated response-
Hyperadrenocorticism
Stress
No response-
Iatrogenic hyperadrenocorticism
Decreased (pre and post) –
Hypoadrenocorticism
Low dose dexamethasone suppression test:
Suppression at 3 and 8 hours-
Normal adrenal axis
Suppression at 3 hours, no suppression at 8 hours (“escape” pattern) –
Pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism
Inadequate suppression at 3 and 8 hours-
Adrenal tumor or pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (cannot distinguish)
High dose dexamethasone suppression test (following abnormal LDDST):
Suppression-
Pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism
No suppression-
Adrenal tumor or pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (cannot distinguish)
Urine cortisol to creatinine ratio
Increased:
Hyperadrenocorticism
Many other diseases
Normal:
Unlikely to have hyperadrenocorticism
Endogenous ACTH
When hyperadrenocorticism diagnosed
Increased:
Pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism
Decreased:
Adrenal-dependent hyperadrenocorticism
When hypoadrenocorticism diagnosed
Increased:
Primary (lesion in adrenals)
Decreased:
Secondary (lesion in pituitary)
Aldosterone
Increased:
Hypermineralocorticoidism
Endogenous ADH
Water deprivation test-
Normal to Increased:
Normal
Psychogenic polydipsia
Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus
Decreased:
Central diabetes insipidus
Fructosamine, Glycosylated Hemoglobin
Increased:
Long term hyperglycemia (diabetes mellitus)
Insulin
Increased (in face of hypo- or normoglycemia):
Insulinoma or other insulin-secreting neoplasm
Volume of erythrocytes per liter of whole blood. Reported as L/L (calculated: MCV x RBC count). Equivalent to PCV (%) determined by centrifugation of blood in a microhematocrit tube
Oxygen-carrying molecule within erythrocytes.
Increase in hematocrit (PCV) in peripheral blood; usually accompanied by increases in hemoglobin and RBC numbers.
Abnormal uncontrolled growth of cells that are unresponsive to normal physiologic growth controls; may be benign or malignant.
Growth factor that maintains erythroid proliferation.
Decrease in the number of circulating platelets below the reference interval.
Disorder of primary hemostasis due to qualitative or quantitative defects in von Willebrand factor. The most common inherited bleeding disorder in dogs.
Erythrocyte rupture or destruction; may occur in vitro or in vivo as a pathologic process.
Cellular injury resulting from free radicals and other unstable molecules such as reactive oxygen species; identified by the presence of Heinz bodies and eccentrocytes.
Red blood cell (RBC); an anucleate (in mammalian species) cell containing hemoglobin needed for oxygen transport. Typically shaped like a bi-concave disk.
Malignant neoplasm of mesenchymal origin, e.g. osteosarcoma.
Decrease in hematocrit (PCV) recognized on the complete blood count (CBC); usually hemoglobin concentration and RBC numbers are also decreased.
Constellation of: retention of metabolic waste products, acid-base and electrolyte disturbances, and compromised urine concentrating ability that develops when the functional mass of the kidneys is reduced by 70% or more; may be acute or chronic.
Common endocrine disease in dogs associated with decreased thyroid hormone concentrations, usually due to lymphocytic thyroiditis or thyroid atrophy.
Also called Addison’s disease; endocrine disease of dogs associated with decreased production of mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids, or both due to adrenocortical pathology.
Organ responsible for production of hemopoietic cells; found in the medullary cavity, especially the ends of long bones (e.g. femur) and flat bones (e.g. the pelvis, sternum.)
Abnormal production of erythrocytes characterized by disorderly maturation.
Replacement of hemopoietic tissue by abnormal tissue such as neoplastic cells, fibrosis, or granulomas,and often resulting in cytopenia(s) of normal hemopoietic cell lines.
Of unknown cause.
Increased number of erythrocytes with increased volume that usually corresponds with increased MCV; may be seen in regenerative anemias and can be normal in Poodle dogs.
Presence of pale-staining erythrocytes with increased central pallor due to decreased hemoglobin content.
Erythrocyte with a spherical rather than biconcave disk shape, which results in a compact cell with a lack of central pallor. Often associated with immune-mediated hemolytic anemia.
Also called Cushing’s disease; common endocrine disease of dogs associated with chronic overproduction of cortisol due to either a pituitary tumor or functional adrenal tumor.
Part of hemopoiesis dealing with the production of granulocytes from stem cells to mature circulating neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils.
Process of producing all the cells found in the blood, including RBCs, WBCs, and platelets.
Granulocyte with large, round, pink to orange (eosinophilic) cytoplasmic granules and an often bi-lobed nucleus; important in host response to allergens and defense against parasites.
Referring to lymphocytes and tissues where lymphocytes develop.
Increase in the number of eosinophils in peripheral blood.
Mononuclear, granular leukocyte important in hypersensitivity reactions.
Presence of bone marrow-derived neoplastic cells in peripheral blood.
Mononuclear, non-phagocytic leukocyte responsible for humoral (B lymphocyte) and cell-mediated (T lymphocyte) immune responses.
An anucleate (in mammalian species) cytoplasmic fragment arising from a megakaryocyte; vital for primary hemostasis.
Anemia in which there is insufficient body iron for effective erythropoiesis, usually caused by chronic external blood loss. Anemia remains regenerative until the end-stage of iron deficiency. The anemia is characterized by microcytic hypochromic RBCs.
Polyploid cell found in the bone marrow (also spleen and lung) that produces platelets.
Thrombocytopenia due to destruction of platelets that is caused by antibodies produced by the animal’s own immune system.
Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation & Fibrinolysis; simultaneous disorders of coagulation and fibrinolysis due to generalized derangement of hemostasis.
Defective or abnormal development of any cell line within the bone marrow; may culminate in neoplastic disease.
Method of measuring the protein content of a fluid that relies on refraction of light, which is proportional to the quantity of solids in solution.
Concurrent decreased concentration of albumin and globulins.
See Secondary hemostasis.
Also called buccal mucosal bleeding time (BMBT); diagnostic test used to assess primary hemostasis and platelet function. BMBT is not indicated when bleeding is attributed to thrombocytopenia.
Any of a number of conditions (e.g. von Willebrand disease, administration of cyclooxygenase inhibitors such as acetylsalicylic acid) that can lead to defective primary hemostasis despite adequate platelet numbers.
Prothrombin time; diagnostic test used to evaluate the extrinsic and common pathways.
Partial thromboplastin time; diagnostic test used to evaluate the intrinsic and common pathways.
Defective secondary hemostasis due to a lack of clotting factors VIII or IX
Final component of the cascade model of coagulation; initiated by the activation of factor X by both the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways and terminating in the production of cross-linked fibrin.
Activated clotting time; cage-side diagnostic test used to evaluate the intrinsic and common coagulation pathways.
Fibrin/fibrinogen Degradation Products; increased concentration of these products supports a diagnosis of DIC&F.
Microscopic examination of unfixed solid tissue or fluid samples.
Any of a variety of changes in cell morphology that are seen in malignant cells, e.g. anisokaryosis, multiple nucleoli, high nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio.
Variation in cell size.
Variation in nuclear size.
Variation in morphology.
Larger than normal nuclei.
Endocrine disease characterized by polydipsia, polyuria, and dilute urine due to a lack of ADH (central) or lack of responsiveness to ADH (nephrogenic).
Endocrine disease characterized by hyperglycemia and glucosuria due to insulin lack (Type 1) or insulin resistance (Type 2).
Process that adds base (HCO3-) to the blood or removes acid (H+); blood pH may or may not be increased.
Difference between unmeasured anion and cation concentrations, calculated using the formula: (Na+ + K+) minus (Cl- + HCO3-.)
Ions with a negative charge.
Ions with a positive charge.
Unusual cause of hypercalcemia due to increased PTH release from a functional parathyroid tumor.
Increase in free calcium that may accompany certain neoplasms, often due to tumor cell production of parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP)
Impaired intestinal absorption of nutrients, e.g. due to inflammatory bowel disease.
Increases serum urea and/or creatinine.
Common endocrine disease of older cats associated with thyroid gland hyperplasia or a functioning thyroid adenoma.
Presence of free hemoglobin in the urine, e.g. due to intravascular hemolysis.
Azotemia due to extracellular fluid volume depletion (dehydration).
Azotemia due to renal disease.
Azotemia due to urinary tract blockage or rupture.
Leakage of urine into the abdomen due to trauma, inflammation/infection, or neoplasia involving the urinary tract.
Insulin-secreting tumor of pancreatic β cells resulting in hypoglycemia.
Malignant neoplasm of epithelial origin, e.g. squamous cell carcinoma.
Lipid used to form cell membranes, steroid hormones, bile acids, and vitamin D.
Impaired bile flow.
General term for fat, including triglycerides, phospholipids, cholesterol.
Lack of exocrine pancreatic secretions that leads to maldigestion of food, weight loss, voluminous stools.
Break-down product of hemoglobin.
Nonspecific term for sublethal or lethal injury to hepatocytes due to various causes, e.g. hypoxia, toxins, infection.
Glycogen accumulation within hepatocytes due to chronically increased corticosteroid levels (e.g. due to treatment with glucocorticoids or hyperadrenocorticism)
Cellular proliferation- increased number of normal cells.
State of extreme wasting, secondary to severe chronic illness.
Terminally differentiated B lymphocyte that secretes specific antibody.
Formed in the liver from cholesterol and excreted into the intestine to aid the digestion of fats. Measurement after a meal can be useful in evaluating hepatic function.
Urine specific gravity between 1.008 and 1.012, reflecting urine that has been neither diluted nor concentrated by the kidneys.
Referring to cells of the skin and adnexa, lining of the airways, intestines, and urinary tract, renal tubules, liver, and glandular tissues.
White blood cell (WBC); includes neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, monocytes, lymphocytes, mast cells.
Protein involved in iron transport, e.g. for hemoglobin synthesis in RBCs.
Storage form of iron within plasma and tissues (soluble).
Difference between the measured osmolality and the calculated osmolarity. Because the units differ, the term “osmol” gap is used.
Trypsin-Like Immunoreactivity; test that measures serum trypsinogen and trypsin, and can be used to aid in the diagnosis of pancreatitis and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.
Low T4 that is not due to primary thyroid disease in an ill animal.
Prefix meaning decreased
