How to Read Dog Blood Test Results — Complete Guide

Dog blood tests measure organ function, detect disease, and monitor health. Key values to watch: liver enzymes (ALT, ALP), kidney function (BUN, creatinine), and blood cell counts.

Understanding your dog's blood test results can feel overwhelming, but knowing the basics helps you ask better questions and make informed decisions about your pet's health.

Types of Dog Blood Tests

Most blood panels for dogs include two main components:

Complete Blood Count (CBC) — Counts and examines blood cells including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. For detailed CBC interpretation, see our complete guide to dog CBC results.

Chemistry Panel — Measures organ function, blood sugar, proteins, and electrolytes. Common panels include basic metabolic panels and comprehensive metabolic panels.

Understanding CBC Results

Red Blood Cell Values

RBC (Red Blood Cell Count): Normal range 5.5-8.5 million/μL. Low values suggest anemia; high values may indicate dehydration or other conditions.

Hemoglobin (HGB): Normal range 12-18 g/dL. Carries oxygen throughout the body. Low levels indicate anemia.

Hematocrit (HCT): Normal range 37-55%. Shows percentage of blood made up of red blood cells. Low values mean anemia; high values suggest dehydration.

White Blood Cell Values

WBC (White Blood Cell Count): Normal range 6,000-17,000/μL. High values often indicate infection or inflammation; low values may suggest immune system issues.

Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, Eosinophils: Different types of white blood cells that help identify specific conditions like bacterial infections, allergies, or stress.

Platelet Count

Platelets (PLT): Normal range 200,000-500,000/μL. Essential for blood clotting. Low platelet counts can cause bleeding issues.

Understanding Chemistry Panel Results

Liver Function Tests

ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase): Normal range 10-125 U/L. High ALT levels indicate liver cell damage or stress.

ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase): Normal range varies by age. Elevated ALP can indicate liver disease, Cushing's disease, or medication effects.

Kidney Function Tests

BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen): Normal range 7-27 mg/dL. High levels may indicate kidney disease, dehydration, or high-protein diet.

Creatinine: Normal range 0.5-1.8 mg/dL. More specific for kidney function than BUN. Elevated levels suggest kidney problems.

Other Important Values

Glucose: Normal range 74-143 mg/dL. High levels may indicate diabetes; low levels can be dangerous and need immediate attention.

Total Protein: Normal range 5.2-8.2 g/dL. Indicates nutrition status, liver function, and hydration.

Electrolytes (Sodium, Potassium, Chloride): Important for cellular function. Imbalances can indicate various health issues.

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What Abnormal Results Mean

Slightly Abnormal Values

Values slightly outside normal ranges aren't always concerning, especially if your dog seems healthy. Factors that can affect results include:

• Stress from the vet visit

• Recent meals or fasting

• Medications

• Age-related changes

• Laboratory variation

Significantly Abnormal Values

Values well outside normal ranges typically require follow-up testing or treatment. Your vet will consider:

• How far outside normal the value is

• Your dog's clinical signs and symptoms

• Trends in previous bloodwork

• Other lab values and their patterns

When to Repeat Blood Tests

Your veterinarian may recommend repeat testing for:

• Borderline abnormal results to see if they normalize

• Monitoring chronic conditions like kidney or liver disease

• Checking response to treatment

• Pre-anesthetic screening before surgery

• Annual wellness monitoring, especially in senior dogs

For cost planning, our dog bloodwork pricing guide breaks down typical expenses for different blood tests. Senior dogs (7+ years) benefit from more frequent monitoring - learn more about senior dog health screening recommendations.

Questions to Ask Your Vet

When reviewing your dog's blood test results, consider asking:

• Which values are most important for my dog's age and health status?

• How do these results compare to my dog's previous bloodwork?

• Are any abnormal values related to medications my dog takes?

• What symptoms should I watch for at home?

• When should we recheck these values?

• Are there any dietary or lifestyle changes that might help?

Get Your Dog's Blood Test Results Explained

Upload your dog's lab results into VetLens and get:

✓ Plain-English explanations of every value

✓ Personalized insights based on breed, age, and health history

✓ Trend analysis comparing results over time

✓ Specific questions to ask your veterinarian

✓ Recommendations for diet, supplements, and monitoring

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does a normal CBC look like for dogs?

Normal CBC values include RBC 5.5-8.5 million/μL, hemoglobin 12-18 g/dL, hematocrit 37-55%, WBC 6,000-17,000/μL, and platelets 200,000-500,000/μL. Remember that ranges can vary slightly between laboratories.

What are the most important values to watch on dog bloodwork?

Key values include ALT and ALP for liver function, BUN and creatinine for kidney function, glucose for diabetes screening, and red blood cell count for anemia detection. These provide insight into major organ systems.

Should I be worried about slightly abnormal values?

Slightly abnormal values often aren't concerning, especially if your dog feels well. Context matters — age, medications, stress, and trends over time are all important factors your vet will consider.

How often should dogs get blood tests?

Healthy adult dogs typically need annual bloodwork. Senior dogs (7+ years) benefit from twice-yearly testing. Dogs on medications may need more frequent monitoring as recommended by your veterinarian.