Blood Chemistry Panel - (also referred to as biochemical profile)

These tests check for diseases of the Liver, Kidneys, Pancreas and blood electrolytes.

Please note: if the dog is fed a raw diet as opposed to a kibble diet, the results of the tests will be different.  It is always good to have a total profile done young enough to use as a baseline so that if changes occur for ‘your’ dog, both you and your vet will be alert to those changes.

Normal values for blood chemistry elements will vary somewhat from each and every diagnostic laboratory and each equipment will have its own ‘normal values’ calibrated to standards.

A typical blood chemistry panel might include the following tests:

Normal values for blood chemistry elements for dogs are displayed in the table below. Keep in mind that each blood chemistry machine has their own set of normal values calculated for their particular instruments. These normal values may differ slightly from your own vet references. The values of those fed a raw diet may likely be different from those fed a kibble diet. It is best to get a baseline profile done.

HEMATOLOGY: Normal ranges for blood cell elements for dogs are displayed in the table below. Again, these values are approximate and not be the “normal” values that your veterinarian refers to or that of a blood analyzer.

Descriptions of specific tests

Blood Glucose: When the body takes in carbohydrates, it is converted to glycogen and stored in the liver. When energy is needed, the glycogen is converted to glucose which enters the bloodstream and sent throughout the body. Blood glucose is a measure of the animal’s nutritional level and is used to monitor metabolism and physiology. Normal range for blood glucose is 60 – 120mg/dl (milligrams of glucose for each deciliter of whole blood). Lower than 60 mg/dl is translated to hypoglycemia and higher than 130 mg/dl means the animal is suffering from hyperglycemia.

Hypoglycemia is frequently seen in young puppies especially toy and small breeds. These animals seem weak, are uncoordinated and can even have seizures. Hypoglycemia can also affect adult dogs during periods of increased or prolonged activity, or in a sick dog or in certain forms of cancer.

Elevated blood sugar is often found when the dog is stressed or very excited when the blood sample is taken. When the level is over 180 mg/dl, it signals problems. The threshold of the kidneys has been exceeded. Normally when the blood is filtered through the kidneys, the kidneys are supposed to prevent the loss of glucose in the urine, however, once this high level has been reached, the kidneys are no longer able to retain glucose and sugar is passed into the urine. The most common cause of this is diabetes mellitus, which means “sweet urine”. The urine has an acidic smell to it. The pancreas is then not able to produce enough insulin which is needed for glucose to enter the cells of the body.    

BUN: stands for Blood Urea Nitrogen. The proteins that animals eat are large molecules. As they break down and utilized by the body, the by-product is nitrogen-containing urea compounds. These compounds are useless to the body and are excreted by the kidneys. If the kidneys are not working properly and not able to filter these compounds from the blood, they build up into high levels.

When the BUN result is high, it is an indication the nitrogen wastes of protein are not being removed by the body. There can be other causes such as dehydration. If the dog has heart disease with decreased circulation, or an obstruction where the urine cannot get out of the body, these will also increase the BUN.

Lower than normal BUN is found frequently with liver disease.

Creatinine: is a test that also measures the filtration rate of the kidneys. Only the kidneys excrete this substance and if it builds up to higher than normal levels, it is a sign the kidneys are not functioning properly.

Calcium: is a mineral found in consistent levels in the bloodstream. While a dog is pregnant or nursing puppies, the levels can be seriously depressed in a disease called eclampsia. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eclampsia) . Certain medications and tumors can affect calcium levels as well. It is important to detect any abnormal levels of calcium quickly before they lead to serious heart and muscle disorders.

Total Protein: is a combined measurement of the two blood proteins albumin and globulin. Albumin is normally produced in the liver. Albumin levels are depressed when an animal is not getting enough or is getting poor quality nutrition, or following chronic infectious diseases and the stores in the liver have been used up and not yet replaced.  Globulins includes immunoglobulins produced by the body’s immune system and is part of the body’s defense against bacteria and viruses. An elevated protein level is usually a sign of dehydration.

Bilirubin:  is a by-product of the breakdown of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the molecule within red blood cells that are responsible for transporting oxygen to all tissues of the body. When the blood cells die or are destroyed, hemoglobin is released and quickly broken down and excreted by the liver as bilirubin. If there is an obstruction in the bile duct, bilirubin can not get through into the intestine and out of the body so the bilirubin levels will be elevated.

Alkaline Phosphatase: belongs to a class of compounds called enzymes. These are protein molecules that assist various chemical reactions. Alk Phos is seen in higher levels in dogs where have certain forms of cancer and some muscle and/or liver disease.

SGPT: is an important enzyme in liver function. An elevation usually means the liver cells are breaking down for some reason – liver may be cancerous, have an infection, be congested or engorged with too much blood (as in heart failure), failing or worn out as in cirrhosis, obstructed for some reason. Anything that prevents the liver from functioning properly and efficiently will elevate the SGPT.

Cholesterol: is not the same in dogs as it is in humans. Hardening or obstruction of the arteries of the heart is not common in dogs. Cholesterol deviations in dogs are secondary signs of disease. Inadequate functioning of the thyroid glands can have an elevated cholesterol. Animals that have been starved or have poor nutrition may have lower cholesterol levels.

Sodium and Potassium: these blood levels are usually interpreted together. Their levels can beseriously affected in diseases of the adrenal glands, heart, kidneys, or by various medications. Any changes in their levels can lead to very serious secondary problems such as preventing the heart, nerves and kidneys from functioning properly.

Conclusion: It is important to test your dog at least yearly to ensure his/her best health conditions and if the dog is sick, testing more often is imperative to detect other problems that may arise before it is too late to successfully treat your loved one.