Chemistry

Urea nitrogen, creatinine and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) are indirect measurements of glomerular filtration rate  (GFR). More accurate measurements of GFR require administration of compounds that are ideally freely filtered and not reabsorbed by the tubules. Examples include exogenous creatinine, radiolabeled compounds, inulin and the contrast medium, iohexol. Typically a bolus is given intravenously, followed by […]

Below you will find various videos related to interpretation of biochemical results or physiology of various analytes. Interpreting biochemical panels In this video, one approach to interpreting the wealth of data in biochemical panels is provided. We essentially compartmentalize the data into organ systems or metabolic changes, including acid-base disturbances, and then step back and

Ideally, for evaluating acid-base status, an arterial blood-gas sample and venous biochemistry profile on blood collected and handled appropriately should be done and interpreted together as indicated under the summary of laboratory detection of acid-base disturbances. Biochemical test results associated with acid-base status on a chemistry panel are the following: Bicarbonate: This is a dependent

Physiology Vitamin D is obtained primarily from dietary sources in animals. Vitamin D is mostly thought of with respect to calcium and phosphate status, however many cells contain vitamin D receptors and vitamin D is needed for general metabolic and immune processes. There are several forms of vitamin D, including calcidiol (25-hydroxy vitamin D or

Physiology In health, approximately 60% of an adult animal’s body weight is water, but this varies with species, age, sex, breed, and body composition. For example, in humans, total body water decreases with age and is lower in women than in men. Neonatal dogs and cats have higher total body water content (about 80%) compared

C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase protein that is produced in the liver. It is a major acute phase protein in the dog but also works well as a marker of inflammation in rabbits (Cray et al 2015). Concentrations in healthy dogs are quite low but marked increases (over 50 fold) occur rapidly in

SDMA (symmetric dimethylarginine) is the amino acid, arginine, that contains two methyl groups (dimethyl) in a symmetrical orientation. SDMA is considered a sensitive and early marker (more sensitive than serum creatinine) of declining GFR in dogs and cats (Hokamp and Nabity 2016 review). Physiology SDMA is produced by all nucleated cells at a constant rate,

Some chemistry analytes can be measured on ocular fluids, both acqueous and vitreous. This is usually done in animals that have died and not as a premortem test and is used in an effort to identify biochemical changes that could explain the death of the animal. Numerous studies have been done to determine what tests can

L-lactate acidosis L-lactate is the anion or conjugate base of lactic acid (which is hydrogen bound L-lactate). Since lactic acid is a strong acid, it is fully dissociated at physiological pH, liberating its hydrogen, resulting in an acidosis. L-lactate is produced in the cytosol from pyruvate by the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) during normal glycolysis

Clues as to the underlying presence of liver disease and the nature of the disease (i.e. our four pathologic processes of injury, cholestasis, altered function or blood flow) are derived from all screening clinical pathologic tests – the hemogram, biochemical profile, and urinalysis – as outlined below. Of course, history, signalment, clinical signs and results