Reading White Blood Cell Counts in Canine Parvovirus

In canine parvovirus the white-cell count tracks the stage and the outlook: a rising count with a regenerative left shift means the marrow is mounting a strong response and the prognosis is good, while a falling count — especially below 3.0×10⁹/L and still dropping — points to a poor prognosis. A normal or only slightly raised count, or one with no left shift, shows the marrow has met the body's demand and also bodes well.