Laboratory Testing
A Complete Blood Count is a series of tests that evaluate the number of cells in circulation. WBC, or white blood cells, help fight infection or inflammation. RBC, or red blood cells, carry oxygen to the tissues.
- Liver (AST, ALT, Alk Phos, Total Bilirubin, GGT, Cholesterol, Proteins)
This group of tests helps evaluate various functions and health of the liver. Decreased liver function, inflammation, infection, or neoplasia of the liver and gall bladder may be detected by one or all of these tests. - Kidney (BUN, Creatinine, Phosphorus, Amylase, Albumin)
These tests monitor the function and health of the kidneys. They are most helpful and sensitive for detecting kidney disease when combined with a urinalysis. - Pancreas (Glucose, Amylase, Lipase, Triglyceride)
These tests are abnormal when there is something wrong with the pancreas or carbohydrate metabolism (examples are diabetes mellitus and pancreatitis). - Muscle and Bone
- Calcium and Phosphorus are helpful in determining the health of bone metabolism.
- CPK and AST are abnormal with muscle damage, trauma or inflammation (mytosis).
- Electrolytes (Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, Calcium, Phosphorous)
These tests are important in monitoring the electrical, water balance and cellular health of the body. Deficiencies or excesses of these electrolytes are harmful to an animal's physical and mental well-being.
As the name implies, thyroid tests evaluate the function of the thyroid gland. Too little thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism) is common in dogs whereas too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) is common in older cats. Because there is no single thyroid test that can diagnose all thyroid diseases in animals, several different thyroid tests are used to assure proper results (T4, T3, Free T4, etc.).
While some serum chemistries help evaluate kidney function (BUN, Creatinine, etc.), they are more informative when a urinalysis is done at the same time. The urine sample is tested for several chemical components (glucose, protein, blood and more) as well as any cells (WBC, RBC, epithelial, etc.) or crystals.