LAB TESTS IN VETERINARY

Sylvia Achieng’ Lumumba

2021/MMLS/016/PS
TOXICOLOGY
LEC: Dr. Oloro

10/02/2023 1
Complete Blood Count in
animals
• In hematology, CBC (complete blood count)
• Referred to as a CBC, it is one of the most common
tests done to check for abnormalities of the blood.
• Performed in human, dog, cat, or even bird or ferret,
when sick.

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CBC VALUES
• Blood work is a very important diagnostic tool that provides
a significant amount of information about your pet’s health.
• The test includes an actual counting of red and white blood
cells as well as an analysis of cells viewed on a blood smear.
• A CBC may be useful as a screening test for underlying
infection, anemia and illness.
• With this analysis we can identify anemia, inflammatory
processes, the state of the vascular wall, a suspicion of
helminthic infestations and suspicion of malignant processes
in the body.
• CBC is widely used in radiobiology in the diagnosis and
treatment of radiation sickness.
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CBC VALUES
• Sometimes, the CBC can help determine the
underlying cause of an anemia or infection.
• Drugs that affect the bone marrow change the CBC.
Certain types of cancers, especially leukemia, may
be evident on a blood smear.
• Blood parasites and some microorganisms are found
by careful inspection of the blood cells during the
CBC.
• In some cases, the results of the CBC will prompt
we veterinarian to recommend other diagnostic tests.
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Blood parameters
• WBC (White blood cells) –(normal 4.5-11 X 109
cells / L).
• RBC (Red blood cells) – (normal 4.3-5.7 X 1012 cells/ L).
• HGB (Hb, hemoglobin) – (normal 13.2-17.3 g %).
• HCT (hematocrit) – (normal 0.39-0.49).
• Blood by 40-45% consists of formed elements
(erythrocytes,
• platelets, white blood cells) and 60-65% of the plasma.
• Hematocrit is the ratio of corpuscles to plasma.
• PLT (platelets) – (normal 150-400 X 109 cells / L)
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Erythrocyte indices (MCV,
MCH, MCHC)
• MCV – Mean volume of erythrocytes in cubic
micrometers (microns) or femto litre (Fl)-(normal 80-95
Fl).
• Analysis indicate: microcytosis, normotsitoz, macrocytosis.
• MCH – Mean content of hemoglobin in single erythrocytes
in absolute units (normal 27-31pg),
• is proportional to the relative “hemoglobin / red blood cells.”
• MCHC – Mean concentration of hemoglobin in
erythrocytes (normal 320-370 g / L),
• reflects the degree of saturation of the red blood cell hemoglobin.
• Reduced MCHC observed in diseases with a violation of
hemoglobin synthesis.
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Erythrocyte indices
• RBC / HCT – Average volume of red blood cells .
• HGB / RBC – The average content of hemoglobin in erythrocytes .
• HGB / HCT – The average concentration of hemoglobin in erythrocytes .
• RDW – Red cell Distribution Width – the distribution width of red blood cells
“so-called”
red cell anisocytosis “- an indicator of heterogeneity of red blood cells ,
calculated as the coefficient of variation of the average volume of red blood
cells.
• RDW-SD – The relative distribution width of red blood cells by volume,
standard deviation
• RDW-CV – The relative distribution width of red blood cells by volume,
coefficient of
variation .
• P-LCR – Ratio of large platelets .
• ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) – A nonspecific indicator of a
pathological condition
of the body.
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Platelet indices (MPV, PDW,
PCT)
• MPV (mean platelet volume) – The average volume
of platelets (normal 10.7 PL).
• PDW – The relative width of the distribution of
platelets in volume index of the
heterogeneity of platelets.
• PCT (platelet crit) – Thrombo crit (normal 0.108-
0.282), the proportion (%) of whole blood
occupied by platelets.

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Hormonal analysis in animals
• Secretion of hormones is regulated by a system of sensing
elements possessing the means to detect need for both
increased and decreased secretion.
• The particular sensing network, feedback elements, and
network of control responses are unique for each hormone.
• Hormonal pathways maintain homeostasis, and adjustments
in secretion usually result in changes that will help maintain
the status quo.
• In addition, secretion and activity of a particular hormone
may be adjusted upward or downward in response to
challenges such as chronic stress, disease, or change in
nutritional status.
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Hormonal analysis in animals
• The concept of negative feedback and its relationship to
control of hormonal pathways is important in
understanding pathway regulation and evaluation of
endocrine function tests.
• Secretory patterns of hormones vary tremendously. The
thyroid hormones tend to have less variability than the
steroid hormones and show only moderate daily or
weekly variation. In contrast, blood levels of the adrenal
steroid cortisol show much more fluctuation, with
occasional bursts of secretion followed by periods of
low activity (low blood levels) occurring throughout the
day.
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Estrogen in animals

• Estrogen is found in both male and female animals,

but it is typically more abundant in females.
• It is primarily produced in the ovaries of female
animals, but in smaller amounts in the testes and in
the adrenal glands of both males and females.
• In female animals, estrogen plays a key role in the
development and maintenance of the reproductive
system, including the uterus, ovaries, and mammary
glands.

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Estrogen in animals

• It also helps regulate the menstrual cycle and is

important for the development of secondary sex
characteristics, such as the growth of breasts and the
widening of hips.
• In male animals, estrogen is involved in the
development of the reproductive system as well,
including the growth and maturation of the testes
and prostate gland.
• It also plays a role in bone health and may be
involved in the regulation of body weight.

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Estrogen in animals

• Estrogen levels in animals can be influenced by a

variety of factors, including age, diet, and
reproductive status.
• In some cases, animals may be given estrogen
supplements for medical or reproductive purposes,
such as to induce ovulation in female animals or to
treat certain conditions in male animals.
• However, the use of estrogen in animal agriculture
has been controversial, as some studies have
suggested that it may have negative health effects on
both animals and humans.
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Methods of determining renin
levels
• Renin is an enzyme that is involved in the
regulation of blood pressure and fluid balance in
animals.
• There are several methods for determining renin
levels in animals, including:

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Methods of determining renin
levels
Plasma renin activity (PRA) assay:
• This is the most common method for measuring
renin levels in animals.
• It involves measuring the amount of renin activity
in a blood sample.
• PRA is usually measured in picograms of
angiotensin I (a precursor to angiotensin II, which is
involved in blood pressure regulation) per milliliter
of plasma per hour.

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Methods of determining renin
levels
Renin ELISA Assay
• This is a type of enzyme-linked immunosorbent
assay (ELISA) that measures the amount of renin
protein in a blood sample.
• This method is less commonly used than PRA
assays, but it can provide more specific information
about renin levels in certain situations.

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Methods of determining renin
levels
Radioimmunoassay (RIA)
• This is a method that uses a radioactive tracer to
measure the amount of renin activity in a blood
sample.
• RIA is less commonly used than PRA assays and
ELISA assays, but it can provide more sensitive
measurements of renin levels.

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Methods of determining renin
levels
Immunoradiometric assay (IRMA)
• This is a type of RIA that uses antibodies to specifically
detect renin protein in a blood sample.
• Like RIA, IRMA can provide more sensitive
measurements of renin levels than PRA or ELISA assays.
• The choice of method for determining renin levels in
animals will depend on the specific research or
diagnostic needs of the study or veterinarian.
• It is important to follow appropriate sample collection,
handling, and storage protocols to ensure accurate
results.
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Liver function tests in animal
• Liver function tests (LFTs) are a group of blood
tests that evaluate how well the liver is functioning
in animals.
• Some of the commonly used LFTs in animals
include

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Liver function tests in animal
• Alanine aminotransferase (ALT): ALT is an
enzyme that is primarily found in liver cells. When
liver cells are damaged or destroyed, ALT is
released into the bloodstream. Elevated ALT levels
in the blood are a sign of liver damage or disease.
• Aspartate aminotransferase (AST): AST is
another enzyme that is found in liver cells. Like
ALT, elevated AST levels in the blood are a sign of
liver damage or disease. However, AST can also be
elevated in other conditions, such as muscle damage
or heart disease.
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Liver function tests in animal
• Alkaline phosphatase (ALP): ALP is an enzyme
that is found in many tissues throughout the body,
including the liver, bones, and intestines. Elevated
ALP levels in the blood can be a sign of liver
disease, as well as bone or intestinal disease.
• Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT): GGT is an
enzyme that is primarily found in the liver and
biliary system. Elevated GGT levels in the blood are
a sign of liver disease, as well as other conditions
that affect the biliary system, such as gallbladder
disease.
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 Liver function tests in animal
• Total bilirubin: Bilirubin is a yellow pigment that is produced
when red blood cells are broken down. The liver is responsible for
processing and excreting bilirubin from the body. Elevated
bilirubin levels in the blood can be a sign of liver disease, as well
as other conditions that affect the production or excretion of
bilirubin.
• LFTs can be used to help diagnose liver disease in animals, as well
as monitor the progression of the disease and response to
treatment.
• However, LFTs are not specific to liver disease and can also be
affected by other factors, such as medications, infections, and
stress. Therefore, it is important to interpret LFT results in
conjunction with other diagnostic tests and clinical findings.

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Renal function tests in animals
• Renal function tests are a group of blood and urine
tests used to evaluate how well the kidneys are
functioning in animals.
• Some of the commonly used renal function tests in
animals include:

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Renal function tests in animals
• Blood urea nitrogen (BUN): BUN is a waste
product that is produced when protein is broken
down in the liver.
• It is filtered out of the blood by the kidneys and
excreted in the urine. Elevated BUN levels in the
blood can be a sign of kidney disease, as well as
other conditions that affect protein metabolism.
Dogs: 6-25 mg/dL
Cats: 16-36 mg/dL

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Renal function tests in animals
Creatinine: Creatinine is a waste product that is
produced by muscle metabolism.
• It is filtered out of the blood by the kidneys and
excreted in the urine.
• Elevated creatinine levels in the blood can be a sign
of kidney disease or dysfunction.
• Dogs: 0.5-1.5 mg/dL
• Cats: 0.8-2.4 mg/dL

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Renal function tests in animals
Urinalysis
• Color: Pale to dark yellow
• Clarity: Clear to slightly hazy
• pH: 6.0-7.5
• Protein: Negative to trace
• Blood: Negative to trace
• Specific gravity: 1.015-1.060

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Renal function tests in animals
Glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
GFR is a measure of how well the kidneys are
filtering waste products from the blood.
It can be estimated based on blood levels of
creatinine, age, and other factors.
A decrease in GFR can be a sign of kidney disease or
dysfunction.
• Dogs: >90 mL/min/1.73 m2
• Cats: > 3.0 mL/min/kg

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Renal function tests in animals
Electrolytes: Electrolytes are minerals, such as
sodium, potassium, and chloride, that play a critical
role in many bodily functions. Kidney disease or
dysfunction can cause imbalances in electrolyte
levels, which can lead to a variety of health problems.
• Sodium: 135-145 mmol/L
• Potassium: 3.5-5.5 mmol/L
• Chloride: 95-105 mmol/L

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Refrences
• Cowgill LD, Langston CE. Evaluation of renal
function. In: Ettinger SJ, Feldman EC, editors.
Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 8th ed.
St. Louis: Saunders Elsevier; 2017. p. 1856-1870.
• Grauer GF. Laboratory evaluation of renal function.
Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract.
2017;47(2):375-389.
• International Renal Interest Society. IRIS
guidelines. Available from: http://www.iris-
kidney.com/guidelines/ (accessed April 19, 2023).

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