CBC Basics: Reading White Cells, Red Cells, and Platelets

The CBC has three lines: white cells reflect infection, inflammation, and stress via differential counts; red cells (RBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit) reflect anemia and dehydration; platelets underpin clotting. Arrows must be read with the differential and clinical picture, and feline stress alone can transiently shift glucose and white counts.

Example directions: low HCT suggests anemia needing a cause, high HCT often means dehydration concentration; raised neutrophils usually mean inflammation while a deep drop is dangerous; low platelet counts are often clumping artifacts needing a smear review. A single mild out-of-range value is not a diagnosis.

Use reports by letting the vet interpret them with symptoms; the household job is archiving years of results to see trends, since a steady climb or decline in one cat matters more than one borderline reading. Bring spirit, appetite, and elimination changes to rechecks to put numbers back in context.