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Although your vet will
obviously interpret any blood test results your Afghan will have taken it is
always handy to have a rough idea of what it all means.
A wide variety of tests
are used to certify good health or indicate the presence of infection or
disease. The major tests and some of the common vocabulary in lab reports
are explained below. A Complete Blood Count indicates the number and type of
cells in the dog's blood. This standard test can identify anemia and
leukemia, as well as the presence of many infections. A Serum Chemistry
Profile includes a variety of tests that examine the functioning of organs,
such as the liver and thyroid. If these tests indicate any abnormality.
CBC
Values
Red Blood Cells (RBC)
- Responsible for carrying oxygen and carbon dioxide throughout the
body. Iron deficiency will lower RBC count. In more reduced count, it may
indicate hemorrhage, parasites, bone marrow disease, B-12 deficiency, folic
acid deficiency or copper deficiency. RBC lives for 120 days so an anemia of
any kind other than hemorrhage indicates a long standing problem.
Hematocrit (HCT)
or Packed Cell Volume (PCV) - Provides information on the amount of red
blood cells (RBC) present in the blood. Decreased levels means anemia from
hemorrhage, parasites, nutritional deficiencies or chronic disease process,
such as liver disease, cancer, etc. . Increased levels are often seen in
dehydration.
Hemoglobin (Hb)
- The essential oxygen carrier of the blood. Decreased levels indicate the
presence of hemorrhage, anemia, iron deficiency. Increased levels indicate
higher than normal concentrate of RBC, B-12 deficiency (because there are
fewer cells).
Reticulocytes -
Immature red blood cells. Decreased count is usually associate with anemia.
Increased count is associated with chronic hemorrage or hemolytic anemia.
Platelets (PLT)
- Play an important role in blood clotting. Decrease in number occurs in
bone marrow depression, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, systemic lupus, severe
hemorrhage or intravascular coagulation. Increased number may occurs with
fracture or blood vessel injury, or cancer.
MCV -
Measurement of the avarage size of the RBC. Elevated volumes can be due to
B-12 folic acid deficiency and reduced volumes are from an iron deficiency.
White blood cells (WBC)
- The body's primary means of fighting infection. Decreased levels may
indicate an overwhelming infections (viruses), or drug / chemical poisoning.
Increased levels indicate bacterial infection, emotinal upsets and blood
disorders.
Lymphocytes (L/M)
- These smooth, round white blood cells increase in number with chronic
infection, recovery from acute infection or underactive glands and decrease
with stress, or treatment with steroids and chemotherapy drug.
Calcium (CA) -
Blood calcium levels are influenced by diet, hormone levels and blood
protein levels. Decreased levels indicate acute damage to the pancrease or
undersctive parathyroid. Muscle twitches may occur in decreased level.
Increased levels can be an indicator of certain types of tumors, parthyroid
or kidney disease. Dr. Goldstein mentioned in his book, Nature of Animal
Healing that low calcium level may indicate deficiency of pancreatic
enzymes, and high calcium level may indicate poor metabolism of fats and
protein.
Phosphorus (PHOS)
- Affected by diet, parathormone and kidney. Decreased levels shows
overactive parathyroid gland and malignancies, malnutrition and
malabsorption. Increases with underactive parathyroid gland and kidney
failure.
Electrolytes
(Sodium, Potassium, Chloride) - The balance of these chemicals is vital
to health. Abnormal levels can be life threatening. Electrolyte tests are
important in evaluating vomiting, diarrhea and cardiac symptoms.
Cholesterol (CHOL)
- Decreased levels are found in an overactive thyroid gland, interstinal
malabsorption. Elevated levels of cholesterol are seen in a variety of
disorders including hypothyroidism and diseases of the liver, kidneys,
cardiovascular, diabetes, stress.
Alanine
aminotransferase (ALT) - An enzyme that becomes elevated with liver
disease.
Alkaline Phosphatase
(ALKP) - An enzyme produced by the biliary tract (liver). High levels
indicate bone disease, liver disease or bile flow blockage.
Total Billirubin (TBIL)
- A component of bile, bilirubin is secreted by the liver into the
intestinal tract. High levels can lead to jaundice and indicate destruction
in the liver and bile duct.
Total Protein (TP)
- Increases indicate dehydration or blood cancer, bone marrow cancer;
decreases indicate malnutrition, poor digestion, liver or kidney disease,
bleeding or burns.
Globulins (GLOB)
- Decreased levels indicate problems with antibodies, immunodeficiency
viruses or risk of infectious disease. Increased levels may indicate stress,
dehydration or blood cancer, allergies, liver disease, heart disease,
arthritis, diabetes.
Albumin (ALB) -
Produced by the liver, reduced levels of this protein can point to chronic
liver or kidney disease, or parasitic infections such as hookworm. High
levels indicate dehydration and loss of protein.
Blood Urea Nitrogen
(BUN) - BUN is produced by the liver and excreted by the kidneys.
Decreased levels are seen with low protein diets, liver insufficiency, and
the use of anabolic steroid drug. Increased levels indicate any condition
that reduces the kidney's ability to filter body fluids in the body or
interferes with protein breakdown.
Creatinine (CREA)
- Creatinine is a by-product of muscle metabolism and is excreted by the
kidneys. Elevated levels can indicate kidney disease or urinary obstruction,
muscle disease, arthritis, hyperthyroidism, and diabetes. An increased BUN
and normal creatinine suggest an early or mild problem. An increased
creatinine and increased BUN with elevated phosphorus indicate a long
standing kidney disease.
Blood Glucose (GLU)
- High levels can help diagnose diabetes and can indicate stress, excess
of the hormone progesterone, an overactive adrenal gland. Low levels can
indicate liver disease, tumours or abnormal growth on pancreas, an under
active adrenal gland.
Amylase (AMYL) -
The pancreas produces and secrets amylase to aid in digestion. Elevated
blood levels can indicate pancreatic and/or kidney disease.
Urinalysis
Color - Normal color is yellow to amber. Red is caused by Blood, Dark yellow to brown
with yellow form are caused by bilirubin, reddish brown is caused by
hemoglobin / myoglobin.
Transparency -
Normal is clear. Cloudy urine is caused by crystals, cells, blood, mucous,
bacteria or cast.
Gravity - 1.007
~ 1.029 occurs with diabetes mellitus, insipidus, overactive adrenals,
excessive thirst and pyometra. Over 1.040 occurs with high fever,
dehydration, diabetes mellitus, vomiting, diarhea and severe homorrhage.
PH Levels - It
should be 6.2~6.5, little on the acidic side.
Notes
When you have the blood work done, make sure your pets has
fasted for at least 12 hours before the test.
Some difference in clinical chemistries exist between breeds.
You should always establish what is normal for your pet.
Their bodies are all different. The abnormal reading may be normal for your
pet. When having bloods taken for thyroid levels for sighthounds it is best
to test 'Breed specific' and make sure your vet is aware that sighthounds
levels are different to other breeds.
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