The last couple of posts we've discussed the Complete Blood Count and what it can tell us about the health of our pets. The CBC is often accompanied by more specific tests that reveal information about the function of specific organs within the body. Coupled with urine tests, that we'll cover on Friday, blood chemistry, or serum chemistry tests, can help pinpoint which organ or organs are involved in illness.

Blood chemistry tests are sometimes referred to as chemistry panels or chem panels and the number of tests on a given panel can vary. Generally we start out with screening tests and get more specific as we zero in on a specific organ system. 

Some of the more common tests include the following.

Albumin is a protein produced in the liver. Albumin circulating in the blood stream helps keep the intravascular fluid levels constant and when there is not enough albumin in the blood stream fluid tends to leak out into body cavities or into the tissue. This is one reason people and dogs that are suffering from protein deficiency have a pot bellied appearance.

Since albumin is produced in the liver, liver damage can result in low albumin levels. This can create ascites or a swollen abdomen too. Kidney disease can also lead to loss of albumin in the urine.

High albumin levels aften are an indication of dehydration.

Alkaline Phosphatase is an enzyme that is found mainly in the liver, but also in other places in the body. High alkaline phosphatase levels can indicate problems with the liver, biliary system, gallbladder and bone disease. In cats high alk phos points to liver disease. It can also be increased in cases where corticosteroids are being given or the bosy is producing excess blood cortisol due to a disease like Cushing's disease.

Alanine transaminase, or ALT is another enzyme produced in the liver. Elevated ALT levels indicate liver damage. High levels of both Alk Phos and ALT point to some type of disease process or damage to the liver.

Amylase is another enzyme and it is produced in the pancreas along with lipase. Amylase is also produced in the cells that line the small intestine. Amylase helps breakdown carbohydrates and sugars into smaller pieces so they can be digested and absorbed by the intestine. Lipase does the same for fats. Pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer can lead to higher than normal levels of amylase, but not always. Some dogs with pancreatitis have normal levels of blood amylase.

Bilirubin is a breakdown product from the processing of old red blood cells by the liver. Bilirubin levels will be elevated in liver disease and gallbladder disease. Dogs or cats that are suffering from hemolytic diseases where red blood cells are being destroyed at an accelerated rate with have high levels of bilirubin too. High bilirubin is the cause of jaundice or the yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes seen in some liver patients.

Blood Urea Nitrogen or BUN is a by product of protein metabolism that relies on the liver and kidney to be processed and excreted from the body. Patients with kidney disease may have an elevated BUN due to poor kidney function and an inability to remove it from the body. A low BUN may indicate liver problems.

Creatinine is a waste product of normal muscle metabolism and it is excreted by the kidneys. Creatinine will be elevated in kidney disease and in cases of dehydration.

Creatinine kinase is an enzyme that elevates in the blood in response to muscle damage, including damage to the cardiac muscle in the heart.

Glucose is blood sugar and it can be elevated in cases of diabetes. Other things can lead to high blood glucose too. Cushing's disease can lead to high blood glucose and even the stress or excitement of a blood draw can elevate blood glucose in some dogs and in many cats. Coupling a blood glucose test with a urinalysis can help determine if the elevation is due to diabetes.

It's imporatant to go over these test results with your Vet if they are ordered for your dog or cat. These tests by themselves, or in combination, can tell us a lot about disease and can be used to monitor the progress of treatment. Improving serial lab tests let us know if organs are recoverin and if our treatment plan is working well.

Friday we'll cover the urinalysis.