Cat CBC (Complete Blood Count) Explained
What is a Complete Blood Count (CBC) for Cats? A CBC is the most commonly ordered blood test in feline medicine. It evaluates three main types of blood cells—red blood cells , white blood cells , and platelets—giving your vet a comprehensive picture of your cat's immune function, oxygen-carrying capacity, and clotting ability.
The main causes of hemolysis in cats include: autoimmune disease (when the cat's immune system attacks its own body tissues or systems) feline leukemia virus (FeLV) blood parasites such as Mycoplasma haemofeli s chemicals or toxins (e.g., zinc or rat poison) cancer What diseases prevent red blood cell production through bone marrow suppression?
How to Get the Maximum Information Out of Feline Hematology
If the lymphocyte count is greater than 10,000/µL, stage V of low grade lymphoma or chronic lymphocytic leukemia (very rare in cats) can be considered. Presence of abnormal blast cells strongly suggests malignancy such as stage V high grade lymphoma, acute lymphoblastic leukemia or other myeloproliferative disorders.

FeLV-positive cats had significantly lower PCV, hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, as well as red blood cell (RBC) and platelet (PLT) counts than FIV-infected and control cats. The concentrations of TP and creatinine were significantly lower in FeLV-infected than in noninfected cats. Table 1.
Leukemia in Cats
The red blood cells and platelets are often decreased in pets with leukemia . In cases of ALL, the white blood cell count may be high or low, with the presence of abnormally large lymphocytes, called blasts, in the blood .
Leukemia means white blood cells (leukocytes) within the blood (emia). With the feline leukemia virus (FeLV) the number of white blood cells is drastically abnormal—either higher or lower than normal. This leads to tumors and overwhelming infections. Leukemia in cats is a contagious disease that causes two potentially fatal problems in cats: Immune system failure, and /or Tumor development ...
FeLV and FIV Affect Blood Values in Cats
Results indicated significantly lower PCV, hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell count (RBC) and platelet counts (PLT) in FeLV-positive cats than FIV- infected and control cats. TP and creatinine concentrations were significantly lower in FeLV-infected cats than in non-infected.
Bone marrow findings in cats with FeLV infection include evidence of neoplastic lymphoid, erythroid, or myeloid cells (which circulate in the peripheral blood of cats with leukemia ); myelodysplasia; hypoplasia or aplasia of erythroid, myeloid, or megakaryocyte cell lines; erythroid, myeloid, and megakaryocyte hyperplasia despite peripheral ...
Leukemia is a type of cancer marked by an increased number of abnormal white blood cells in the blood and bone marrow. In acute leukemia , many immature abnormal cells replace normal bone marrow cells , causing severe illness, anemia, and low numbers of platelets.
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Cats Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is a disease in which cancerous lymphoblasts ( cells that are in the beginning stage of development) and prolymphocytes ( cells in the intermediate stage of development) reproduce, and then circulate through the bloodstream, entering into the body's organs.