Your vet hands you a sheet of blood work results covered in abbreviations and numbers. What does it all mean? This guide translates the most important values into plain language, helping you understand what your dog's blood work reveals about their health—and why tracking trends over time matters more than any single number.
Quick take
- Blood work is your best early-warning system for hidden health changes.
- CBC measures red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
- Chemistry panels assess organ function—kidneys, liver, and metabolic health.
- Trends over time matter more than any single test result.
The Complete Blood Count (CBC)
The CBC measures three main cell types: red blood cells (oxygen delivery), white blood cells (immune function), and platelets (clotting). Low red cells may indicate anaemia; elevated white cells can signal infection or inflammation; low platelets may affect clotting. Each tells a part of your dog's health story.
The Chemistry Panel: Organ Function
The chemistry panel measures substances produced or processed by organs. BUN and creatinine reflect kidney function. ALT and ALP reflect liver health. Glucose indicates metabolic function. Total protein and albumin provide information about nutrition and organ function. Each value has a reference range, but individual baseline is most important.
Kidney Values: BUN, Creatinine, and SDMA
BUN (blood urea nitrogen) and creatinine are traditional kidney markers, but they don't elevate until about 75% of kidney function is lost. SDMA is a newer marker that can detect changes earlier—at about 25–40% loss. Ask your vet about including SDMA if it's not already part of your dog's panel.
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Liver Values: ALT, ALP, and Bilirubin
ALT (alanine aminotransferase) elevations typically indicate liver cell damage. ALP (alkaline phosphatase) can reflect liver disease, bone disease, or the effects of certain medications. Bilirubin elevations may cause jaundice. Mild, stable elevations are different from rapidly rising values—context and trends matter enormously.
Why Trends Matter More Than Single Values
A creatinine of 1.8 mg/dL means very little on its own. But if your dog's creatinine was 1.2 six months ago and is now 1.8, that's a significant trend worth investigating. This is why baseline testing and regular screening are so valuable—they create the timeline that makes interpretation meaningful.
What to Do This Week
If you have your dog's most recent blood work results, review them alongside this guide. Note any values that were flagged or near the edge of reference ranges. At your next vet visit, ask about establishing a baseline tracking document.
When to See a Vet Urgently
Contact your vet urgently if blood work reveals significantly elevated kidney values (especially if BUN and creatinine are both high), rapidly rising liver enzymes, severe anaemia, very low platelet counts, or any critical flag your vet highlights.
This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional veterinary advice. If your dog is unwell, please consult your veterinarian.