Pearls
- Begin by looking at total protein- is it high, normal, or low?
- Then look at albumin and globulin- are they moving together or in opposite directions?
- If there is hypoalbuminemia and hyperglobulinemia, look for other evidence of inflammation as well, e.g. inflammatory leukogram, hyperfibrinogenemia.
- Remember that fibrinogen can be increased by dehydration as well as inflammation.
- If there is a marked hyperglobulinemia, consider B cell or plasma cell neoplasia. An exaggerated response to an infectious agent is also possible, as with FIP and chronic fungal infections.
definition
All tests on the CBC that evaluate leukocytes. Also, that part of the leukon which is evaluated by examination of a peripheral blood sample (typically does not include leukocyte precursors).
