| Test |
SI
Units |
Conventional (US Units) |
|
Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) |
5-130
u/L |
5-130
u/L |
| Albumin (ALB) |
24 -
41 g/L |
2.4 -
4.1 g/dl |
| Alkaline phosphatase
(ALP) |
10-80
u/L |
10-80
u/L |
| Amylase |
500-1200 u/L |
500-1200 u/L |
| Bilirubin-Total |
0 -
6.84 u/L |
0.0-0.5 mg/dL |
| Bilirubin-Direct |
0 -
1.71 u/L |
0.0 -
0.1 mg/dl |
| BUN |
6.069
- 12.495 mmol/L |
17 -
35 mg/dl |
| Calcium (CA) |
1.875
- 2.7 mmol/L |
7.5 -
10.8 mg/dl |
| Chloride |
111 -
125 mmol/L |
111 -
125 mEq/l |
| Cholesterol (CHOL) |
1.092
- 4.42 mmol/L |
42 -
170 mg/dl |
| Creatinine |
70.72
- 159.12 µmol/L |
0.8 -
1.8 mg/dl |
| Glucose |
3.85
- 8.25 mmol/L |
70 -
150 mg/dl |
| Magnesium |
0.8-1.2 mmol/L |
1.9-2.8 mg/dL |
| Phosphorous |
1.0659 - 2.4225 mmol/L |
3.3 -
7.5 mg/dl |
| Potassium |
4.5 -
5.3 mmol/L |
4.5 -
5.3 mEq/l |
| Sodium |
147 -
156 mmol/L |
147 -
156 mEq/l |
| T |
|
40-182 ng/dL |
| Total T |
|
1.0-4.8µg/dL |
*these values will vary from
laboratory to laboratory & hospital laboratory machines
Alanine
aminotransferase (ALT) is
an enzyme produced in the liver cells. The ALT test determines the
level of this enzyme in the blood, which increases when damage to the
liver cells has occurred.
Albumin (ALB): The most abundant
plasma protein, albumin formed principally in the liver. It
maintains osmotic pressure & as such is extremely important in
regulating the exchange of water between the plasma & interstitial
compartment (space between cells). Low levels of albumin in the blood
can be a sign of liver disease.
Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is a
hydrolase (a group of enzymes which catalyses the hydrolysis of a
compound) enzyme produced by the liver. It is present in high
concentrations in the liver cells. It is elevated when there is acute
damage to liver cells & sometimes with Cushing's disease.
Bilirubin:
This is a major breakdown product of red blood cells.
When red blood cells wear out they are
trapped in the spleen and destroyed, releasing bilirubin into the
blood. This type of bilirubin is called unconjugated.
This bilirubin is transported in the blood to the liver, where it is
taken up & conjugated (joined with glycuronic acid). This conjugated
form may either be stored in the liver cells or excreted into the
bile. Bilirubin levels are increased in cats with liver disease,
gallbladder disease or have excessive destruction of red blood cells
(known as hemolysis).
Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN): Urea
nitrogen are waste products from the break down of protein. This is
removed by the kidneys & excreted in the urine. High BUN values are
indicative of dehydration & poor kidney function. Low BUN values
can indicate
liver
disease.
Calcium (CA):
Calcium is the most abundant mineral found in the body,
approximately 99% is found in bone & the remaining 1% in
extracellular fluid
(fluid found outside of the
cells and between the cells in body tissues).
It is essential for several functions including providing strength to
bones & teeth, proper nerve impulses & muscle contractions, blood
clotting. It is stored in the skeleton & released as it is required.
In combination with phosphorous, it forms calcium phosphate, the
dense, hard material of bones & teeth. Hypocalcemia is too low a level
of calcium in the blood and is
a major clinical manifestations of hypoparathyroidism (a
condition caused by the reduction or absence of secretions of the
parathyroid gland), eclampsia (in lactating females), dietary
insufficiency,
antifreeze poisoning &
Cushing's
disease.
High calcium levels can indicate cancer, hyperparathyroidism (a
condition where the parathyroid gland produces too much parathyroid
hormone), hypervitaminosis D (excess levels of Vitamin D), generally
caused by over supplementation or rodenticide poisoning. [1]
Chloride: Chloride is an electrolyte. It's role is to help the
body maintain a normal acid balance in the blood. High levels of
chloride indicate
dehydration, kidney disease, acidosis (low blood
pH). Low levels indicate
vomiting,
diarrhea & and metabolic alkalosis
(loss of acid from the body).
Cholesterol (CHOL):
Cholesterol is a fatty substance produced by the liver & found in all
parts of the body. It is an essential component of body cells. It is a
building block for certain hormones & is also used to build cell
walls. Increased serum levels of cholesterol can indicate a major bile
duct obstruction, hypothyroidism, Cushing's disease. Low levels may
indicate liver disease.
Creatinine: Creatinine is a waste product of muscle activity
found in muscle & blood. It is removed by the kidneys & excreted in
the urine. High levels of creatinine are a sign of kidney disease or
dehydration.
Glucose: Glucose is blood sugar that is a major source of
energy for the body. High glucose levels can indicate Cushing's
disease,
Addison's disease, stress,
diabetes.
Low levels can be caused by liver disease, pancreatic tumour, insulin
overdose, missed meals.
Magnesium (Mg): Magnesium is an essential blood salt
necessary for nerve function, activity of many enzymes, blood
clotting, forming adenosine
triphosphate (ATP) & production of insulin. Low levels can indicate
poor kidney function, diabetes & diarrhea.
Phosphorous:
Phosphate is an abundant mineral in the body. Together, calcium &
phosphate work closely to build & repair bones & teeth. Around 85% of
phosphate is found in the bones, the remaining 15% is stored in the
cells where it is responsible for energy metabolism as well as being
an integral structural component of DNA & RNA. Excess phosphate is
filtered by the kidneys & excreted in the urine. As the kidneys begin
to fail, they are less able to get rid of excess phosphate, and levels
begin to build up. Other causes of high phosphorous include Addison's
disease & underactive parathyroid gland. Low levels may be caused by
overactive parathyroid gland, insulin overdose, dietary insufficiency,
certain cancers.
Potassium:
Potassium is an essential
electrolyte which performs several functions including;
-
Assists in regulating nerve
impulse & muscle contractions
-
Helps maintain blood pressure
-
Maintains heart function
-
Maintains the
body's electrolyte balance and acid/alkali levels in cells and
tissues
-
It also plays an
important role in heart, skeletal, and smooth muscle
contraction, making it an important nutrient for normal heart,
digestive, and muscular function.
Most potassium is found in the
body's cells. Cats obtain it through their diet. Kidneys control
levels of potassium by excreting excess via the urine.
High
potassium levels indicate acidosis, diabetes, acute kidney failure.
Low levels (hypokalemia) may be caused by vomiting & diarrhea, dietary
insufficiency.
Sodium:
Sodium is an electrolyte
necessary for the maintaining normal muscle function. Levels may be
increased in dehydration. Low levels are found with Addison's disease.
References:
[1] The Feline Patient - Gary D.
Norsworthy, Mitchell A. Crystal, Sharon K. Fooshee, Larry P. Tilley
Please note:
The medical
articles on this site have not been written by a veterinarian &
should not be considered a replacement for a veterinarian visit.
The articles are provided for informative purposes only & should
not be used for
the diagnosis or treatment of any
medical condition.
Always seek
immediate veterinary advice for any problems (health or
behavioral) in your pets.
While great care
has been made in the creation of these articles, we cannot
guarantee the accuracy or omissions on these pages. If in any
doubt whatsoever, seek professional medical advice.
