Lurk's blood work

[elionwyr]

Explanations are taken from http://atwoodanimalhospital.com/custom_content/3613_understanding_your_pets_bloodwork.html - Lurk's data is in bold.
~~
Blood tests help us determine causes of illness accurately, safely, and quickly and let us monitor the progress of medical treatments.

The most common blood test is called a CBC- (Complete Blood Count). This gives us information on the hydration status, anemia, infection, the blood’s clotting ability, and how well the immune system responses. A CBC can detect unseen abnormalities.

CBC

HCT- Hematocrit: This measures the percentage of red blood cells to detect anemia (low red blood cells) and hydration (Making sure the tissues in the body have enough fluid.
Normal: 24.0% - 45.0% Lurk: 21.6% - low

Hb amd MCHC: Hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration: Hemoglobin carries the oxygen.
Normal HGB: 8.0g/dL - 15.0g/dL Lurk: 6.5g/dl - low
Normal MCHC: 30.g/dL - 36.9g/dL Lurk: 30.1g/dL - normal but barely

WBC: White blood cells: Measures the body’s immune cells. Increases or decreases indicate certain disease or infections.
Normal WBC: 5.0 x10(9)/L - 18.9 x10(9)/L Lurk: 20.3 x10(9)/L - high

GRANS and L/M Granulocytes and lymphocytes/monocytes: These are specific types of white blood cells.
Normal GRANS: 2.5 x10(9)/L - 12.5 x10(9)/L Lurk: 18.0 x 10(9)/L - 89% - high
Normal L/M: 1.5 x10(9)/L - 7.8 x10(9)/L Lurk: 2.3 x 10(9)/L - 11% - normal

EOS (eosinophils) Are specific types of white blood cells that may indicate allergic or parasitic conditions.
not tested

RETICS (Reticulocytes) immature red blood cells. High levels indicate regenerative anemia. (Reoccurring low red blood cells).
Not tested, I don't believe. However, PLT was. Normal PLT: 175 x 10(9)/L - 500 x10(9)/L Lurk: 1 x 10(9)/L - I don't know what this means. I know it is important regarding blood coagulation, but this seems very low...the vet didn't mention a concern

Blood serum Chemistries

These tests evaluate organ function, electrolyte status, hormone levels, and more. They are important in evaluating the health of older patients, pets with vomiting and diarrhea or toxin exposure, pets receiving long-term medications, and preanesthetic patients.

ALB: (Albumin) Is a serum protein that helps evaluate hydration, hemorrhage, and intestinal, liver, and kidney disease.
Norm ALB: 2.3 g/dL - 3.9 g/dL Lurk: 2.7 g/dL - normal - YAY!

ALKP: Alkalane phosphates: Elevations may indicate liver damage, cushings disease ( caused by excessive production of ACTH from the pituitary gland), and active bone growth in young pets. This test is especially significant in cats.
Norm ALKP: 14 U/L - 111 U/L Lurk: 19 U/L low-normal; vet not worried - YAY!

ALT ( Alanine aminotransferase) is a sensitive indicator of active liver damage but does not indicate the cause.
Norm ALT: 12 U/L - 130 U/L Lurk: 34 U/L - normal - YAY!

AMY (amylase) elevations show kidney disease or pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).
Norm AMY: 500 U/L - 1500 U/L Lurk: 692 U/L - normal - YAY!

AST: Aspartate aminotransferase Increases may indicate liver, heart, or skeletal muscle damage.
not tested

BUN: (blood urea nitrogen) Indicates kidney function. An increased blood level is called azotemia and can be caused by kidney, liver, and heart disease, urethral obstruction, shock and dehydration.
Normal BUN: 16 mg/dL - 36 mg/dL Lurk: 26 mg/dL - normal - YAY!

CA: Calcium: Deviations can indicate a variety of diseases. Tumors, hyperparathyroidism, kidney disease, and low albumin are just a few of the conditions that alter serum calcium.
Normal Ca: 7.8 mg/dL - 11.3 mg/dL Lurk: 8.1 mg/dL - low-normal; vet not concerned - YAY!

CHOL: (Cholesterol) is used to supplement diagnosis of hypothyroidism, liver disease, Cushing’s disease, and diabetes mellitus.
Norm CHOL: 65 mg/dL - 225 mg/dL Lurk: 165 mg/dL - normal - YAY!

CL (Chloride) is an electrolyte often lost with vomiting and Addison’s disease. Elevations often indicate dehydration.
not tested

CREAT (creatinine) reveals kidney function. This test helps to distinguish between kidney and non- kidney causes of elevated BUN.
Norm CREAT: 0.8 mg/dL - 2.4 mg/dL Lurk: 1.2 mg/dL - normal

GGT: (gamma glutamyl transferase) is an enzyme that indicates liver disease or corticosteriod excess.
not tested

GLOB: (globulin) is a blood protein that often increases with chronic inflammation and certain disease states.
Norm GLOB: 2.8 g/dL - 5.1 g/dL Lurk: 4.5 g/dL - normal - YAY!

GLU: (Glucose) is a blood sugar. Elevated levels may indicate diabetes mellitus. Low levels can cause collapse, seizures or coma.
Norm GLU: 71 mg/dL - 159 mg/dL Lurk: 237 mg/dL - high; vet not overly concerned; high levels indicate he did not have a seizure after all, I gather, so YAY!

K: (potassium) is an electrolyte lost when vomiting, diarrhea, or excessive urination. Increased levels may indicate kidney failure, Addison’s disease, dehydration and urethral obstruction (cannot urinate). High levels can lead to cardiac arrest.
not tested

LIP (lipase) is an enzyme that may indicate pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
not tested

NA (sodium) is an electrolyte lost with vomiting, diarrhea, and kidney or Addison’s diseases. This test also indicates how hydrated he or she is.
not tested

PHOS: (phosphorus) elevations are often associated with kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, and bleeding disorders.
Norm PHOS: 3.1 mg/dL - 7.5 mg/dL Lurk: 4.5mg/dL - normal - YAY!

TBIL (total bilirubin) elevations may indicate liver disease. This test helps identify bile duct problems and certain types of anemia.
Norm TBIL: 0.0 mg/dL - 7.5 mg/dL Lurk: 0.5mg/dL - normal - YAY!

TP: (total protein) indicates hydration status and provides information about the liver, kidneys, and infectious diseases.
Norm TP: 5.7 g/dL - 8.9 g/dL Lurk: 7.2 g/dL - normal - seems odd because he was definitely dehydrated, but YAY! anyway

T4 (thyroxine) is a thyroid hormone. Decreased levels often signal hypothyroidism in dogs, while high levels indicate hyperthyroidism in cats.
not tested

Comments

[mewsrissicat.livejournal.com]

PLT is platelet count, essential to blood clotting.

He has high WBC, low heomglobin, and low platelets... did your vet discuss the possibility that Lurk has Feline Leukemia?

[celtic_maenad]

Oh lawsy, putting those things together does make sense, wanting to test for FeLuk. I thought he had his vaccines?

[elionwyr.livejournal.com]

He did, as a kitten. I do have proof of that. Does that need to be done more than once..?

[celtic_maenad]

er, yes. Boosters are usual. Some are 3 year, some are 1 year, but booster injections are usual. If he only had it done as a kitten, he might well be susceptible. :(

[elionwyr.livejournal.com]

He may have had his boosters but not in several years. I'm asking the neighbor about Felix to confirm if he's covered.

[celtic_maenad]

if it's only been a few years without boosters but he'd been covered steadily the rest of the time, he's probably still got immunity, but it's probably worthwhile doing at least the snap test.

[elionwyr.livejournal.com]

*tired nod*

[celtic_maenad]

But I'm not sure FeLuk really conforms with his other symptoms? Give a look over at petplace.com.

[elionwyr.livejournal.com]

It honestly doesn't; and again, his symptoms came on after Friday night. Hell, if he had diarrhea or weight loss, I might almost be a little glad..almost.

[elionwyr.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure about the platelet count - meaning, it's incredibly low so I'm not sure they really did this test. I'll call, however, and double-check that.

Most of the symptoms of feline leuk don't fit, and the only cat he's had contact with has been Felix, who definitely has had his shots. (I just confirmed that.) But thank you! I will ask.

My thoughts (I'm not a vet, I just work for one, but *not* a GP vet)

[celtic_maenad]

PLT was. Normal PLT: 175k/dL - 500k/dL Lurk: 1k/dL - I don't know what this means. I know it is important regarding blood coagulation, but this seems very low... the vet didn't mention a concern

I take it this labwork was done in-house? The low platelets would be worrying, but one of the main functions of platelets is to clump - form scabs. IF (on slide review - did they do a manual differential?) the platelets are clumped, then the automatic count is usually inaccurate and low. But to my mind, *1* would be a bit concerning. I'd call tomorrow and ask if they did a manual diff (if you don't know already).

WBC: White blood cells: Measures the body’s immune cells. Increases or decreases indicate certain disease or infections.
Normal WBC: 5.0 x10(9)/L - 18.9 x10(9)/L Lurk: 20.3 x10(9)/L - high Every time I get Lyra's blood done at the vet, her WBC is high. If I'm not mistaken, stress can cause a slight elevation of WBC, and my vet (nor Dr J last time we had bw done for her at TLC) hasn't seemed to think it was cause for concern. Still, antibiotics would help if that's the issue.

Norm GLU: 71 mg/dL - 159 mg/dL Lurk: 237 mg/dL - high; vet not overly concerned; high levels indicate he did not have a seizure after all, I gather, so YAY! Dr J once said something to the effect of, if you want to elevate a cat's glucose, run the vaccuum & yell boo at it. Cats' (more than dogs & humans, tho they do to a limited extent as well) glucose at the vet will nearly always be elevated. My not-professional opinion is that no, low glucose did not cause a seizure, and that if you were ever to be at all concerned about Lurk being diabetic (not that great a concern?) then save up for a Fructosamine level.

TP - is relatively higher than it seems because of Lurk's slight anemia, but with the albumin normal, I understand why your vet isn't focusing on that. Um. I'm losing coherency, dammit. I'm no longer able to put into words what I mean here.


I'm kind of surprised your vet didn't run electrolytes (Na, K, Cl) when they thought Lurk was dehydrated. Those are the first things to go out of whack with dehydration (hello, Gatorade?). My guess is that they could tell Lurk was dehydrated already, so they knew those levels would be out of whack.

I think you should definitely save up and get a recirculating cat fountain. This *really* encourages kitties to drink more (both in frequency and in quantity). I really like the Drinkwell Platinum, mainly because in this dry house the circulating water evaporates and two cats drinking from it means we need the larger reservoir. There are other, cheaper fountains on amazon, but I don't have any personal experience with them to know how well kitties like them, or how well they work.

*hugs* for you and *finger shakings* for Lurk, worrying his momma like that.

Re: My thoughts (I'm not a vet, I just work for one, but *not* a GP vet)

[elionwyr.livejournal.com]

Thank you for this breakdown. :)

ETA:
I take it this labwork was done in-house? The low platelets would be worrying, but one of the main functions of platelets is to clump - form scabs. IF (on slide review - did they do a manual differential?) the platelets are clumped, then the automatic count is usually inaccurate and low. But to my mind, *1* would be a bit concerning. I'd call tomorrow and ask if they did a manual diff (if you don't know already).

Well, he's certainly scabbing just fine. *sigh* Perhaps the fleas are a blessing in disguise..?

Re: My thoughts (I'm not a vet, I just work for one, but *not* a GP vet)

[celtic_maenad]

nothing bad but something good comes of it.

[exit-neverland.livejournal.com]

Punkin, not to alarm you...but when my gypsy was diagnosed with feline leukemia, she had similar results...

And she'd tested negative for it as a kitten, and been vaccinated against it, AND had been indoors and never around another cat evar, and yet I lost her to it at 4 years old. =(

The vet suspected that it'd been dormant in her system, possibly hiding in her bones for a long time.

[elionwyr.livejournal.com]

What were her symptoms?

[exit-neverland.livejournal.com]

There were no visable signs of the illness when she was first diagnosed. We only had bloodwork done because Dennis wanted to get her declawed and it was routine to do a workup before the surgery. But due to her bloodwork results, they redflagged her and wouldn't do the surgery. One investigation led to another...and I'd say it was maybe a month or two from the diagnosis that I had to say goodbye.

It's an illness that causes other bad mojo to happen to our kitties. Like Gypsy's led to what they suspect was some type of lung cancer. Stupid, horrid disease.

[exit-neverland.livejournal.com]

Oh, and also...the day I had to say goodbye, Gypsy had woken me howling and when I went to her, she wasn't moving one side of her body, and panting heavily in obvious distress. When I took her to the vet hospital, they did a chest xray and it was all cloudy with fluids and surrounding her heart...a side effect of the leukemia.

Sucks. I hope that's not the story for Lurk, but where he's been exposed to other cats, it's worth trying to find out. I had to ask my vet to test for the Feline Leukemia when a routine blood check revealed her liver enzyms were wonky and she couldn't figure out why. I said, "test for Leukemia." and she said, "but she's vaccinated and tested negative as a kitten." I said, "test anyway." and sure 'nuff.

=(

HUGS