Biochemical blood test in dogs: decoding. Home visit by a veterinarian

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

You need to take your beloved pet to the vet, even if he seems to be perfectly he althy. Often this opinion is wrong. In order to be sure of the pet’s he alth, you need to take his blood for analysis, do all the vaccinations according to the schedule, and, of course, take care of him, comb, walk, bathe and feed him with quality food. But why they take tests for a biochemical blood test in dogs will be discussed in this article.

What is a biochemical analysis and what is it for?

A blood test is a very important factor in the he alth of a pet, because it is it that allows you to identify many diseases and abnormalities. But some owners neglect to examine the dog. Unfortunately, this leads to serious problems that could have been eradicated at the beginning of development. Biochemical analysisallows you to examine the tissues and internal organs of the dog for various diseases and abnormalities. The area of the liver, heart and kidneys is mainly examined. As a rule, this procedure is prescribed by a doctor. However, you can come and order it yourself to monitor your pet. If there are no deviations, then it is recommended to bring the dog for check-up no more than once a year.

Norma

It is very difficult to name the norm unambiguously. In a biochemical blood test in a dog, different indicators can be the norm, therefore they are mainly averaged. In order to accurately say if the pet has any deviations, a veterinarian must observe it. Because for different dogs the same indicator can be both the norm and the deviation. Observation takes place both in a he althy state and in a diseased state. But each result can be deciphered, because for each indicator, one way or another, there is a certain gap indicating the norm. Therefore, the owner of the dog should at least roughly know what condition the pet is in.

Neutrophils and eosinophils

Neutrophils and eosinophils are an important part of the dog's brain. These are small white bodies that circulate along with the blood stream, performing a protective function. But these two white blood cells are still slightly different:

• Neutrophils. These cells are the first to respond to danger. They capture harmful cells and destroy them. There are three types of these leukocytes: young, stab and segmented.
• Eosinophils. They also neutralize foreign cells, but inallergic formations.

Neutrophils and eosinophils are very important cells and are part of the canine blood chemistry study. LDH is also an important part of the survey. This is an enzyme that is involved in the process of respiration, and is also found in the liver and heart. If the enzyme is not enough, then the pet feels tired and lies a lot.

Reasons for violation of the norm

The main reason for excess is inflammation. However, only by neutrophils and eosinophils it is impossible to recognize where the disease is localized. It is for this purpose that a complete biochemical blood test is performed in dogs. Without it, it is impossible to know where the inflammation lurks. Eosinophils indicate allergies or the presence of worms, but also do not help in localization.

Veterinary home visit

If you can't go to a veterinary clinic, you can take a dog's blood for a biochemical analysis at home. The cost in Moscow of this procedure varies from 300 rubles and more. This will save time, but not money, as you will have to pay for the laboratory check separately.

But the price of a biochemical blood test in dogs starts from 1000 rubles. You can also do separate blood tests for different organs. But most often they do an extensive blood test, which includes from 10 positions of the study. Visiting a veterinarian at home is very convenient, because you do not have to spend money on the road and torment your pet in traffic jams.

Transcript

Since the biochemical analysis of blood in dogs is quite extensive, there are a lot of studied parameters in it. Below is a table indicating the name, norm and units of measurement:

Indicator name	Norma	Units of measure
Glucose	4, 3-7, 3	mmol/L
Protein	59-73	g/l
Bilirubin	0-7, 5	µmol/L
Urea	3-8, 5	mmol/L
Alanine aminotransferase	0-65	units/l
Aspartate aminotransferase	10-42	units/l
Alpha-amylase	550-1700	units/l
Potassium	3, 6-5, 5	mmol/L
Calcium	2, 25-3	mmol/L
Creatinine	70-165	µmol/L
Cholesterol	2, 9-8, 3	mmol/L
Alkaline Phosphatase	39-55	units/l
GGT	1-10	units/l

Dangerous deviations

Deciphering blood biochemistry in dogs is impossible without a description of each indicator:

1. Glucose. It is most often exceeded due to diabetes. But do not panic, perhaps the norm is exceeded due to heavy physical exertion or overexcitation. Glucose can tell a lot aboutkidneys and liver, as well as the pancreas. Glucose tests can warn about the disease of these organs. But a low level definitely indicates a tumor, poisoning, or a lack of food in the body.
2. Protein. If the indicator is exceeded, then the dog is dehydrated. If, on the contrary, it is exceeded, then this indicates serious problems in the body, such as intestinal damage, starvation, or impaired kidney function. Protein can also drop due to burns or large blood loss.
3. Bilirubin. The indicator rises with hepatitis or obstruction in the gallbladder.
4. Urea. Based on the name, it can be understood that the excess of indicators occurs with problems in the bladder or in the urinary organs. It may also indicate a kidney problem. If you give your pet a lot of protein food, then this indicator can grow above the norm. Urea deficiency may indicate a lack of protein in the body or the pet's pregnancy.
5. Alanine aminotransferase always indicates problems with the liver or pills causing liver problems.
6. Aspartate aminotransferase also indicates kidney disease. However, these figures may indicate other reasons. For example, a dog's physical fatigue or heart problems. But if the indicators are below the norm, you should be wary, because, most likely, tissue death has begun.
7. Alpha-amylase. Here we can talk about intestinal volvulus or pancreatitis. A deficiency indicates problems with the pancreas.
8. Potassium. Exceeding the norm indicates dehydration,kidney failure, or cell destruction. A level below normal indicates poisoning or starvation.
9. Calcium. It is the excess of this indicator that indicates problems with the heart of the animal. The owner should immediately conduct additional oncological examinations. Calcium rises in malignant tumors and dehydration. A deficiency of this indicator indicates a lack of vitamin D, kidney problems.
10. Cholesterol. An increase in the level of this indicator indicates heart disease, kidney disease and hypothyroidism. But a deficiency indicates malignant tumors or poor nutrition.
11. High creatinine indicates kidney problems, while low creatinine indicates starvation.
12. Alkaline phosphatase. An indicator above the norm indicates that the animal is pregnant or that the dog eats fatty foods. It can also indicate infections in the intestines. But a reduced level is observed with anemia and a lack of vitamin C.
13. GGT, or in other words, gamma-glutamyltransferases. Indicates bile stasis or liver damage.

How to take a biochemical blood test from dogs?

You should not take your pet to the veterinary clinic, it is best to call the veterinarian at home. But, if there is no possibility, you can take the blood yourself. You just need to buy the necessary items at the nearest pharmacy. Before taking blood from a dog for a biochemical analysis, you need to ensure that she is completely calm.

Small amounts of blood can be taken from the ear or the soft part of the pet's paw. Of course, before injecting, you need to disinfect the area with alcohol oriodine, optional.

For accurate analysis, you should limit your pet in food from 8 to 12 hours. The required time for analysis should be advised by the veterinarian. If the dog is taking any medications, then this should be reported to the doctor for accurate test results.

Below is a video showing how to take blood for biochemical analysis in dogs and cats.

Other indicators of biochemistry

There are other indicators of a biochemical blood test in dogs:

• Albumin. This is a protein that is produced in the blood and liver of a pet. The norm is an indicator from 45 to 67 percent. If the indicator is above the norm, then the animal is dehydrated, but the decrease is much more dangerous. It can be various liver diseases, and malignant tumors. Also, the decrease could be due to burns, injuries, or drug overdose.
• Globulin fractions can be of three types: alpha, beta and gamma. Moreover, for all three types, their own norm is established. For alpha - 10-12 percent. An increase occurs with inflammatory processes, and a decrease occurs with problems with the thyroid gland or pancreatitis. For beta - 8-10 percent. If increased or decreased - liver damage. For gamma - 15-17 percent. With a decrease and increase - problems with the liver.
• Phosphorus. It is very important for the nervous system of the animal, and is also part of the skeleton. The norm is from 6 to 7 mg. So, the norm can be exceeded due to a tumor or destruction of the bone marrow, due to problems with the kidneys and thyroid gland,due to an excess of vitamin D and after fractures. But the level below the norm may be due to rickets, diarrhea, vomiting, or even a lack of growth hormone.

Conclusion

So, as you can see from this article, biochemical analysis for dogs is very important and useful. Thanks to him, many dangerous and not very diseases of your beloved pet are revealed. Of course, not all indicators unambiguously speak of a particular disease, but they give an idea of the area of problem formation. It is very important to bring your pet to the veterinarian for examination and examinations at least once a year. And do not forget to take care of him, feed him with he althy food and always be on the alert. Observe behavior and draw conclusions.