The first time my vet handed me Biscuit’s blood panel, I stared at abbreviations and numbers — BUN, ALT, CREA, HCT — with no idea what they meant. This guide covers the essentials before your next appointment.
Common markers
- BUN: Kidney function indicator. Elevated levels may suggest kidney disease, dehydration, or high-protein diet.
- Creatinine (CREA): More reliable kidney marker than BUN alone.
- ALT / AST: Liver enzymes. Elevated values may indicate liver damage, infection, or medication reaction.
- HCT (Hematocrit): Red blood cell percentage. Low = anemia; high = dehydration or other conditions.
- WBC / RBC: White and red blood cells — infection, inflammation, or anemia.
When to worry
Don’t diagnose from a single slightly off value. Clinics print species-specific reference ranges. Worry when multiple markers trend wrong or values are clearly out of range.
Pro tip: photograph every lab result and keep a timeline. Trends matter more than one snapshot.