Red and white are the two most important colours for your pets.
When your vet analyses the blood from your pet it is like opening a portal into an internal universe.
It gives us so much information on every aspect of your pets’ health.
It is called a haemogram and examines the number, the quality and the size and the shape of the red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.
Interesting facts.
- Red blood (erythrocytes)cells have a lifespan of 100 days in dogs and 80-90 days in cats.
- Their function is to provide oxygen to cells and carry away carbon dioxide.
- About 1% are replaced daily.
- They are produced mainly in the bone narrow and the spleen.
- White blood (leukocytes) cells are produced in the bone marrow.
- Neutrophils (one type of white blood cells) are the primary defense against invasion of microorganisms including bacteria, fungal, and viral agents.
By looking at the red blood cells it can give us clues to nutritional deficiencies, parasites, hydration status, blood loss and some cancers. The white blood cells can help us identify stress, inflammation, allergies, cell death and cancers.
Even though your pet may not be showing obvious signs of illness, by looking at their blood we can sometimes identify a disease process early before it starts to impact their life.
It paints a picture of your pets health and gives us peace of mind that all is well as they age.