I'm putting Moose's blood work online. The blood tests tell the whole
story. I welcome any Veterinarians to look at this blood work and
give me their opinion.
Click here to see Spread sheet of all
of Moose's CBC's.
See:
How to read dog blood tests.
Click here to see the EPA documents which describe what
happens if Chlorophenoxy Herbicides are ingested.
Blood Chemistry
Albumin (ALB)
A protein which is produced by the liver. Reduced levels of this protein
can point to chronic liver or kidney disease, intestinal disease, or intestinal
parasites.
Alanine Amino transferase (ALT)
ALT becomes elevated with liver disease or injury. This enzyme can determine
the presence of cell damage in the liver.
(SGPT): Serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, an enzyme that is normally
present in liver and heart cells. SGPT is released into blood when the liver
or heart are damaged. The blood SGPT levels are thus elevated with liver
damage (for example, from viral hepatitis) or with an insult to the heart
(for example, from a heart attack). Some medications can also raise SGPT
levels. Also called alanine aminotransferase (ALT).
Aspirate Aminotransferase activity (AST)
Similar to ALT, but can indicate more severe damage.
Alkaline Phosphatase (ALKP)
An enzyme produced by the cells lining the gall bladder and its associated
ducts. Elevated levels can indicate liver disease or Cushings syndrome.
Amylase (AMYL)
An enzyme secreted by the pancreas to aid in digestion. Elevated blood levels
can indicate pancreatic and/or kidney disease.
Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
BUN is produced by the liver and excreted by the kidneys. Abnormal levels
can indicate dehydration, and liver and kidney abnormalities.
Calcium (Ca)
Increased levels can be seen with diseases of the parathyroid gland and kidneys
or as an indicator of certain types of tumors.
Cholesterol (CHOL)
Elevated levels are seen in a variety of disorders including genetic disease,
liver and kidney disease and hypothyroidism.
Creatine (CREA)
Creatine is a by-product of muscle metabolism and is excreted by the kidneys.
Elevated levels can indicate kidney disease or urinary tract obstruction.
Blood Glucose (GLU)
High levels can indicate diabetes. In cats, high levels can indicate stress.
Low levels can indicate liver disease, infection, or certain tumors.
Phosphorous (PHOS)
Elevated levels can be an indicator of kidney disease.
Total Bilirubin (TBIL)
Bilirubin is secreted by the liver into the intestinal tract, and aids in
diagnosing anemia or bile duct problems.
Total Protein (TP)
TP values can detect a variety of conditions including dehydration and diseases
of the liver, kidney, or gastrointestinal tract.
Electrolytes
Sodium, Potassium, Chloride (Na, K, CI )
The balance of these electrolyes is vital to your pet?s health. Abnormal
levels can be life threatening. Electrolye tests are important in evaluating
vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration and cardiac (heart) symptoms.
Creatine Phosphokinase (CPK), an enzyme found mainly in the heart,
brain, and skeletal muscle. The pattern of a rise or fall in CPK (or CPK
isoenzymes) can be diagnostically significant.
When the total CPK level is very high, it usually means there has been injury
or stress to the heart, the brain, or muscle tissue. For example, when a
muscle is damaged, CPK leaks into the bloodstream. Determining which specific
form of CPK is high helps doctor's determine which exact tissue has been
damaged.
High CPK levels may be seen in patients who have:
-
Heart attack
-
Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle)
-
Central nervous system trauma or stroke
-
Convulsions
-
Delirium tremens
-
Dermatomyositis or polymyositis
-
Electric shock
-
Muscular dystrophies
-
Pulmonary infarction (lung tissue death)
Additional conditions may give positive test results:
A/G (ALBUMIN/GLOBULIN) RATIO
The liver can function adequately on 20% of liver tissue, thus early diagnosis
by lab methods is difficult. A reversed A/G Ratio may be a helpful indicator.
With severe liver cell damage, the prolonged prothrombin time will not change
with ingestion of Vitamin K. The proper albumin to globulin ratio is 2:1.
When <1.7, there is may be a need for increasing stomach acidity. When
>3.5 there may be a need for stomach acidity and pepsin.
Optimal Range: 1.7
The AG ratio may be elevated in:
-
Hypothyroidism
-
High protein/high carbohydrate diet with poor nitrogen retention
-
Hypogammaglobulinemia (low globulin)
-
Glucocorticoid excess (can be from taking medications with cortisone effect,
the adrenal gland overproducing cortisol, or a tumor that produces extra
cortisol like compounds, low globulin)
The AG ratio may be decreased in: Liver dysfunction
Hematology
Hematocrit (HCT)
The amount of red blood cells (RBCs) present in the blood. A low
hematocrit indicates anemia.
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
This complete panel of tests provides detailed information of RBCs, white
blood cells (WBCs), and platelets. The total WBC count can indicate infection,
leukemia, stress, inflammation, or an inability to fight infection. Low platelets
can indicate a bleeding problem and the blood may not be able to clot as
quickly. We might advise that surgery be delayed if anemia, infection or
low platelet count because these conditions could cause serious surgical
complications.
White Blood Cell (WBC)
May be increased with infections, inflammation, cancer, leukemia; decreased
with some medications (such as methotrexate), some autoimmune conditions,
some severe infections, bone marrow failure, and congenital marrow aplasia
(marrow doesn't develop normally)
Red Blood Cell (RBC)
Decreased with anemia; increased when too many made and with fluid loss due
to diarrhea, dehydration, burns
Platelet
Decreased or increased with conditions that affect platelet production; decreased
when greater numbers used, as with bleeding; decreased with some inherited
disorders (such as Wiskott-Aldrich, Bernard-Soulier), with Systemic lupus
erythematosus, pernicious anemia, hypersplenism (spleen takes too many out
of circulation), leukemia, and chemotherapy