MCHC, which stands for Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration, is a measure of the average concentration of hemoglobin in a red blood cell. It's a crucial part of a complete blood count (CBC) for dogs, providing valuable insights into their overall health.
Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. A low MCHC value can indicate a variety of conditions, including iron deficiency anemia, where the red blood cells are smaller than normal and contain less hemoglobin. Conversely, a high MCHC value might suggest a condition called spherocytosis, where the red blood cells are abnormally round and have a higher concentration of hemoglobin.
Your veterinarian will use the MCHC value in conjunction with other blood test results to diagnose and treat any underlying health issues.
