CBC stands for Complete Blood Count in clinical laboratory terminology.

The blood contains two main types of blood cells, the red cells and the white cells. There are several types of white cells. Platelets, a clotting component of the blood (not a cell) are also looked at, as are thrombocytes (clotting cells), hemoglobin (the oxygen carrying pigment of red blood cells), and protein.

The CBC looks at all of these components, and the doctor can assess many things: infection, anemia, hydration status of the animal, some cancers, some toxins, and more.

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