What is a complete blood count?
The complete blood count, commonly called a CBC, is a routine blood test that is used in all stages of health and illness. It is a simple test that gives information about the different cell types in the blood and can indicate the presence of many types of disease. Most blood cells come from bone marrow, so the CBC can also be used indirectly to assess bone marrow health (see handout ”Bone Marrow Collection and Examination").
How is a CBC performed?
- A small sample of blood is collected into a special tube that prevents the blood from clotting.
- The sample is then put in a machine called an automated blood analyzer, which counts the different cell types and describes various characteristics of the cells.
- In addition, a drop of blood is spread thinly on a glass slide, creating a blood smear. This smear is stained with special dyes and examined under the microscope to look at the appearance of individual cells. The blood smear is assessed by a trained technician or veterinarian and may be sent to a pathologist for review if the cells are abnormal.
What does a CBC measure?
The CBC provides information about the three types of cells found in blood:
- red blood cells (also called erythrocytes or red cells),
- white blood cells (also called leukocytes or white cells), and
- platelets (also called thrombocytes).
A CBC reports details on the number, size, and shape of each cell type, as well as any variation in appearance.
What are red blood cells and why are they important?
Red blood cells are the most numerous by far, and give blood its red color. They carry oxygen from the lungs to the body’s tissues, thanks to a special protein called hemoglobin that is found in each red blood cell. As blood is pumped through the lungs, oxygen moves into the red cells and binds tightly to hemoglobin. When the blood is pumped out through the body and into the tissues, oxygen is released from hemoglobin, leaves the red blood cells, and enters the cells of the tissues.
What does the CBC tell us about red blood cells?
Numbers. The CBC reports four different red cell measurements: red blood cell count (RBC), hematocrit (HCT) and hemoglobin (HGB) and reticulocyte count. These measurements indicate how many red cells are present and how much hemoglobin is available. A decrease in either the red cell count or the hemoglobin is called anemia. There are many causes for anemia, and although the CBC may provide clues, further investigation is usually required to reach a diagnosis.
"A decrease in either the red cell count or the hemoglobin is called anemia."
By comparison, a mild increase in the number of red cells is relatively common and usually indicates that the pet is dehydrated or excited. This change is usually temporary and is not worrisome. In rare cases, a persistently high red blood cell count can signal a disorder called polycythemia, which can be a primary bone marrow disorder or secondary to other diseases. Reticulocytes are immature red blood cells released by the bone marrow. Elevated numbers can be seen in response to anemia.
Size. The size of red blood cells sometimes provides clues about a disease. For example, larger red cells can be seen with vitamin deficiency and bone marrow disease. It may also signify the presence of a lot of immature red blood cells, as they are larger. Smaller red blood cells can be found with iron deficiency and immune system problems. Sometimes, the red cells are normal size, but there are not enough of them, which suggests longstanding illnesses such as chronic kidney disease, persistent inflammation, or cancer.
Color and shape. Color and shape. The color and shape of red blood cells provide additional details that help in the diagnosis of disease. For example, an erythrocyte (red blood cell) with a bluish tinge is called a polychromatophilic erythrocyte and may also be referred to as a reticulocyte. It is a young red cell, newly released from the bone marrow, and is slightly larger and bluer than older red cells. In an anemic animal, finding polychromes in the blood is a good sign, because it signals that the bone marrow is working hard to produce new red blood cells.
Red blood cell shape changes have been associated with various diseases. The changes are rarely diagnostic by themselves, but they can provide clues to the nature of the underlying disease.
What are white blood cells and why are they important?
White blood cells or leukocytes are essential to help protect the body against infectious organisms such as bacteria and viruses, and against foreign material that may enter the body.
It may help to think of white blood cells as the "armed forces" of the body. Instead of the army, navy, and air force, the body’s armed forces have five branches represented by different types of white blood cells called neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils. The different groups of leukocytes work independently and in combination, depending on the problem.
What does the CBC tell us about white blood cells?
Numbers. The white blood cell (WBC) count gives an indication of the pet's overall level of protection against infection. Further evaluation determines the number of leukocytes in each of the five branches. The resulting five numbers together are called the differential. Changes in the distribution of leukocytes across the differential can provide information about the type and severity of inflammation, possible causes of the inflammation, and whether the bone marrow can produce enough white blood cells. Sometimes the WBC count is extremely high or extremely low; either of these changes may signal severe infection or indicate serious bone marrow disease, including cancer. Large numbers of immature cells indicate the bone marrow is responding to a disorder that is depleting the white blood cells.
Appearance. The appearance of leukocytes can indicate whether the body is overwhelmed by infection or is handling a crisis properly. Leukocyte appearance can indicate the presence of toxins or signal that the immune system has been activated. The presence of bizarre-looking or abnormal cells is often a sign of serious bone marrow disease, including cancer.
What are platelets and why are they important?
Platelets or thrombocytes are tiny cell-like structures present in large numbers in blood. They serve as the first line of defense against bleeding. They are continually on guard to seal microscopic injuries on the inside of blood vessels, and they are the first to respond to minor wounds. For example, when you get a skin scratch or paper cut, or prick your finger with a pin, it is the platelets' job to stop the bleeding. It is critical to maintain adequate numbers of platelets in the blood.
What does the CBC tell us about platelets?
Numbers. The number of platelets in the blood gives an indication of the body’s ability to stop minor bleeding. If the platelet count falls below a certain critical level, then widespread spontaneous bleeding may occur. A low platelet count may be caused by a variety of diseases such as recent infection, serious systemic illness, immune disorders, or bone marrow disease. An increased platelet count is commonly associated with simple excitement or exertion, although a high platelet count may be seen when the marrow is working hard to repair a shortage of platelets. In very rare cases, extremely high platelet counts may indicate underlying bone marrow cancer.
Size. A platelet’s size is generally related to its age; young platelets are large and plump while older platelets are generally smaller. The presence of large, plump, young platelets indicates that the bone marrow is actively producing new platelets - an important finding and in a pet with a low platelet count, it is a clue about the underlying disease.
Appearance. Very rarely, bizarre-looking abnormal platelets may be found. These are often a sign of serious bone marrow disease, including cancer.
