Veterinary Hematology - Complete Blood Count (CBC)

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and concepts related to the Complete Blood Count (CBC) and veterinary hematology.

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

A test that measures levels of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma protein to assess health status.

Anticoagulant

A substance that prevents blood clotting; commonly used in blood tests such as EDTA and heparin.

EDTA

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, a preferred anticoagulant that preserves blood samples for hematologic analysis.

Hematocrit (HCT)

Also known as packed cell volume (PCV), it measures the percentage of RBCs in a specific volume of blood.

Rouleaux formation

A condition where red blood cells stack together, observed during blood smears.

Echinocyte

Red blood cells with spikes on their surfaces; often considered a processing artifact.

Thrombocytopenia

A decreased platelet count in blood, indicating potential health issues.

Anisocytosis

Variation in red blood cell size, which can indicate certain health conditions.

Mucin

A protein found in normal joint fluid that contributes to its viscosity.

Howell-Jolly bodies

Nuclear remnants in RBCs that can be observed in regenerative anemia.

Malassezia

A yeast organism often tested for in otic preparations, identifiable by its characteristic shape.

Mast cell

A type of immune cell that contains dark purple granules; involved in allergic responses.

PCV (packed cell volume)

The measurement of the percentage of red blood cells in a volume of blood.

Thrombocytes

Also known as platelets, the non-nucleated cellular fragments involved in blood clotting.

Poikilocytosis

Variation in the shape of red blood cells.

Schistocytes

Fragments of red blood cells often associated with certain blood disorders.

Mean corpuscular volume (MCV)

A measurement that indicates the average size of red blood cells in a sample.

Eosinophilia

An elevated number of eosinophils often associated with allergies or parasitic infections.