Zoetis is expanding the diagnostic capabilities of its Vetscan OptiCell^TM hematology analyzer, adding new parameters designed to bring deeper blood-analysis insights directly into companion-animal clinics.

The company said Vetscan OptiCell^TM will become the first point-of-care hematology analyzer to offer cellular hemoglobin concentration mean, or CHCM. The parameter had previously been available only through reference laboratories and provides a direct measurement of the average hemoglobin concentration within individually analysed red blood cells.

Zoetis is also adding plateletcrit, known as PCT, to the platform. Together, the additions will increase the analyzer’s total number of reported parameters to 24.

For veterinary practices, the development reflects the continuing shift toward faster and more comprehensive in-clinic diagnostics. Point-of-care systems can help veterinary teams access clinically relevant information without waiting for external laboratory processing, potentially supporting more responsive case management and more efficient use of clinical time.

CHCM may be particularly relevant in cases involving anaemia or sample interference, according to Zoetis. Unlike mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, which is calculated, CHCM is measured optically. Plateletcrit, meanwhile, helps clinicians assess the proportion of blood volume occupied by platelets and can support interpretation of platelet production, consumption and destruction.

The update is the first major expansion of Vetscan OptiCell^TM since the platform launched in 2025. Zoetis said the new parameters are expected to become available to users during 2026.

From an animal-health business perspective, the announcement highlights how diagnostics suppliers are competing not only on accuracy, but also on workflow, speed, clinical confidence and practice-level efficiency. As companion-animal clinics face rising expectations from pet owners, the commercial importance of in-house diagnostic capacity is likely to continue growing.