Bingo's latest blood test

[Vally]

Bingo went to the local vet today for his final catrophen shot. I’ve noticed in the last few weeks that he’s been drinking more water, so I also took a urine sample with me, taken first thing in the morning. He also had an accident last night. Most likely my fault as I often turn him over during the night. I startled him, I think, and he wet himself.

I was sure it was to do with the cartrophen as the drinking became obvious in the last few weeks only. He started the cartrophen 3 weeks ago, having 1 a week, but the vet said no, there really aren’t any side effects with cartrophen.

They checked the urine and found that it was more diluted than they like and there was no infection. I don’t know what the numbers were and then suggested a blood test. They rang me back with results this afternoon and said they believe Bingo may have the beginnings of kidney disease. Of course my heart sank. They suggested next step would be to do an ultra sound of his kidneys.

I asked them to send me a copy of the blood test and also to send on to his specialist. The test results are:

GLU 5.12 mmol/L 3.89 – 7.95
UREA 10.7 mmol/L 2.5 – 9.6……………..H
CREA 44 μmol/L 44 – 159
BUN/CREA………………………..60
PHOS 1.70 mmol/L 0.81 – 2.20
CA 2.48 mmol/L 1.98 – 3.00
TP 71 g/L 52 – 82
ALB 36 g/L 22 – 39
GLOB 35 g/L 25 – 45
ALB/GLOB 1.0
ALT 116 U/L 10 – 100……………………… H
ALKP 77 U/L 23 – 212
GGT < 0 U/L 0 - 7 TBIL 12 μmol/L 0 - 15 CHOL 4.98 mmol/L 2.84 - 8.26 Na 154 mmol/L 144 - 160 K 3.8 mmol/L 3.5 - 5.8 Na/K 41 Cl 113 mmol/L 109 - 122 Osm Calc 309 mmol/kg RBC 6.27 x10^12/L 5.65 - 8.87 HCT 43.9 % 37.3 - 61.7 HGB 15.9 g/dL 13.1 - 20.5 MCV 70.0 fL 61.6 - 73.5 MCH 25.4 pg 21.2 - 25.9 MCHC 36.2 g/dL 32.0 - 37.9 RDW 17.2 % 13.6 - 21.7 %RETIC 0.5 % RETIC 30.1 K/μL 10.0 - 110.0 WBC 8.23 x10^9/L 5.05 - 16.76 %NEU 73.4 % %LYM 10.2 % %MONO 12.0 % %EOS 4.4 % %BASO 0.0 % NEU 6.04 x10^9/L 2.95 - 11.64 LYM 0.84 x10^9/L 1.05 - 5.10...................L MONO 0.99 x10^9/L 0.16 - 1.12 EOS 0.36 x10^9/L 0.06 - 1.23 BASO 0.00 x10^9/L 0.00 - 0.10 PLT 395 K/μL 148 - 484 MPV 11.2 fL 8.7 - 13.2 PDW 14.3 fL 9.1 - 19.4 PCT 0.44 % 0.14 - 0.46 Can someone have a look at these for me. I'm thinking I should make an appointment with the specialist next week to discuss them. Love, Vally & Bingo (with a needle hole in his back, and another in his neck today)

[Vally]

Oh, and he wasn’t fasted – I’m hoping that makes a difference too. He had a small meal only an hour before. I didn’t think we’d be doing a blood test.

[admin]

Hi Vally

Oh that boy! Yes – fasting can make a difference, also hydration levels as you know. The results don’t look that bad to me (checking the results against the link below & blood chart normals) , but I know you’ve picked up on the BUN/creatinine ratio though. BUN is affected by fasting – 12 hour fasting should be done. His creatinine is normal (low of normal actually) and this is usually the first sign of kidney problems. Here is a link to kidney disease diagnosis which is very well explained:
http://dogaware.com/health/kidneytests.html

If it were me, I would repeat the test after a proper fast of 12 hours (sorry Bingo – I know how much you LOVE your food) & see how that looks, then discuss it with the specialist. Of course if you are still worried, a kidney scan can’t do any harm – I would go for it myself if it was Worzel, just to make sure. And keep positive Vally – spotting kidney disease in the very early stages is vital to prevent further deterioration & you CAN stop things getting worse. My gut feeling is that with all Bingo has been through, he’s doing very well AND he’s still taking some pred. I was once told my dear little Millie had kidney problems & when we fasted her & took her back, all was completely normal! Fingers crossed Bingo will be the same on the next tests.

Loads of love from Sheena, Worzel & Ollie xxx

[Vally]

Thank you Sheena. I knew you’d be lurking soon.

Love Vally & Bingo

[admin]

How did you know Lurkio is my middle name?!!!! I have just got back home dripping with perspiration from helping someone to start their swimming pool up – it’s 35 degrees here – and found Worzel has stripped back the bedclothes & been snuggled up in the duvet! Little …….

[Claire]

Hi Vally (and Sheena!) I am now back online after what has felt like months of broadband problems….

Just checking in and want to wish you and Bingo all the best with his tests – it sounds like you have been very quick to get things checked as usual!

Love
Claire
x

[Tamara]

Hi Vally, thinking of you and Bingo and sending loads of love and hugs. I’ve spent a lot of time researching kidney disease recently and will be happy to share any of that information if you need it. Ashki’s problems were diagnosed as the internist noticed that his serum protein and albumin were slowly sinking over time, so it may be worth it to compare this round of bloodwork with previous to see changes and trends. dogaware.com is wonderful and has such a wealth of information, lots ot read there.
sending you and Bingo hugs and love —
tamara and ashki xoxoxo

[admin]

Hiya Claire!
We have missed you very much – so glad to have you back – how’s the lovely Brian? That name is up there with Steve & Jeffrey – love it.
Cuddles from us all, Sheena, Worzel & Ollie xxxx

[Vally]

Bingo went to the local vet today for his final catrophen shot. I’ve noticed in the last few weeks that he’s been drinking more water, so I also took a urine sample with me, taken first thing in the morning. He also had an accident last night. Most likely my fault as I often turn him over during the night. I startled him, I think, and he wet himself.

I was sure it was to do with the cartrophen as the drinking became obvious in the last few weeks only. He started the cartrophen 3 weeks ago, having 1 a week, but the vet said no, there really aren’t any side effects with cartrophen.

They checked the urine and found that it was more diluted than they like and there was no infection. I don’t know what the numbers were and then suggested a blood test. They rang me back with results this afternoon and said they believe Bingo may have the beginnings of kidney disease. Of course my heart sank. They suggested next step would be to do an ultra sound of his kidneys.

I asked them to send me a copy of the blood test and also to send on to his specialist. The test results are:

GLU 5.12 mmol/L 3.89 – 7.95
UREA 10.7 mmol/L 2.5 – 9.6……………..H
CREA 44 μmol/L 44 – 159
BUN/CREA………………………..60
PHOS 1.70 mmol/L 0.81 – 2.20
CA 2.48 mmol/L 1.98 – 3.00
TP 71 g/L 52 – 82
ALB 36 g/L 22 – 39
GLOB 35 g/L 25 – 45
ALB/GLOB 1.0
ALT 116 U/L 10 – 100……………………… H
ALKP 77 U/L 23 – 212
GGT

[Vally]

Oh, and he wasn’t fasted – I’m hoping that makes a difference too. He had a small meal only an hour before. I didn’t think we’d be doing a blood test.

[admin]

Hi Vally

Oh that boy! Yes – fasting can make a difference, also hydration levels as you know. The results don’t look that bad to me (checking the results against the link below & blood chart normals) , but I know you’ve picked up on the BUN/creatinine ratio though. BUN is affected by fasting – 12 hour fasting should be done. His creatinine is normal (low of normal actually) and this is usually the first sign of kidney problems. Here is a link to kidney disease diagnosis which is very well explained:
http://dogaware.com/health/kidneytests.html

If it were me, I would repeat the test after a proper fast of 12 hours (sorry Bingo – I know how much you LOVE your food) & see how that looks, then discuss it with the specialist. Of course if you are still worried, a kidney scan can’t do any harm – I would go for it myself if it was Worzel, just to make sure. And keep positive Vally – spotting kidney disease in the very early stages is vital to prevent further deterioration & you CAN stop things getting worse. My gut feeling is that with all Bingo has been through, he’s doing very well AND he’s still taking some pred. I was once told my dear little Millie had kidney problems & when we fasted her & took her back, all was completely normal! Fingers crossed Bingo will be the same on the next tests.

Loads of love from Sheena, Worzel & Ollie xxx

[Vally]

Thank you Sheena. I knew you’d be lurking soon.

Love Vally & Bingo

[admin]

How did you know Lurkio is my middle name?!!!! I have just got back home dripping with perspiration from helping someone to start their swimming pool up – it’s 35 degrees here – and found Worzel has stripped back the bedclothes & been snuggled up in the duvet! Little …….

[Claire]

Hi Vally (and Sheena!) I am now back online after what has felt like months of broadband problems….

Just checking in and want to wish you and Bingo all the best with his tests – it sounds like you have been very quick to get things checked as usual!

Love
Claire
x

[Tamara]

Hi Vally, thinking of you and Bingo and sending loads of love and hugs. I’ve spent a lot of time researching kidney disease recently and will be happy to share any of that information if you need it. Ashki’s problems were diagnosed as the internist noticed that his serum protein and albumin were slowly sinking over time, so it may be worth it to compare this round of bloodwork with previous to see changes and trends. dogaware.com is wonderful and has such a wealth of information, lots ot read there.
sending you and Bingo hugs and love —
tamara and ashki xoxoxo

[admin]

Hiya Claire!
We have missed you very much – so glad to have you back – how’s the lovely Brian? That name is up there with Steve & Jeffrey – love it.
Cuddles from us all, Sheena, Worzel & Ollie xxxx