Diagnostic Value: Very high. Sometimes a specific diagnosis may be madeon the basis of a blood chemistry profile alone. More often than not, however,the profile provides information on a variety of body organs and systems, givingthe doctor an indication of where a problem might be. The profile can beextremely helpful in determining which of the many other diagnostic tests mightbe beneficial.
Risks to Patient: Virtually none, providing that the blood iscollected under sterile conditions by a trained professional.
Relative Cost: Low.
Normal Ranges: The following is a list of the normal ranges in cattle forsome of the major parameters on a chemistry profile:
Glucose: 45-95 mg/dl
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN): 7-25 mg/dl
Creatinine: 0.9-1.7 mg/dl
Calcium: 7.6-12.4 mg/dl
Phosphorus: 4.0-8.6 mg/dl
Total protein: 6.4-9.5 g/dl
Albumin: 2.5-4.3 g/dl
Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP): 30-145 IU/L
Sorbitol Dehydrogenase (SDH): 8-55 IU/L
Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST): 40-130 IU/L
Creatine Phosphokinase (CPK): 59-380 IU/L
Chloride: 95-105 mEq/L
Potassium: 4.0-5.8 mEq/L
Sodium: 136-152 mEq/L
Refer to the following information for the interpretation of some of the resultsfound on a blood chemistry.
Interpretation of Results:
- Glucose - This is a measurement of the blood sugar level.
- High glucose levels can occur during stressful situations, and in association with the use of certain drugs (steroid administration).
- Low glucose levels can occur when an animal does not eat, or when there is a severe bacterial infection in the bloodstream.
- Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) - Urea, which is normally excreted by the kidney, is a by-product of protein metabolism.
- High levels of BUN may be the result of kidney disease, or blockage of the normal flow of urine (from a kidney or bladder stone, for example).
- Low BUN levels can result from a low protein diet or liver disease.
- Calcium - Calcium, a mineral normally found in the body, is important for normal muscle and heart function.
- High calcium levels may be found in some plant intoxications, some types of cancer, excessive dietary supplements, and a variety of other conditions.
- Low calcium levels most often occur in a lactating cow (milk fever), or an animal with grass tetany.
- Total Protein - Several protein types circulate in the bloodstream. These protein types can be measured all together or may be separated out and measured one at a time. On a routine blood chemistry profile, total protein is measured as the total of all proteins together. Albumin, the most abundant protein type, is usually measured separately.
- High protein levels may result from grain overload, peritonitis, salt toxicity, dehydration, inflammation, some cancers, and infections.
- Low protein levels can occur in situations of malnutrition, intestine absorption problems, blood loss, and kidney or liver disease.
- Creatine Phosphokinase (CPK) - This is an enzyme found in muscle cells.
- High CPK levels can occur in situations where muscles of the body are damaged (down cow), diseased, or inflamed. This can even occur with heart muscle problems. Selenium and vitamin E deficiencies are also a cause for elevated CPK levels.
- Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) - This is an enzyme found in liver and bone cells.
- High ALP levels may indicate a liver problem, liver flukes, and pyrrolizidine alkaloid toxicity. High levels of ALP can be normal in
growing calves.
- Sorbitol Dehydrogenase (SDH) - This is another liver specific enzyme.
- High levels of SDH indicate liver damage and rumen or intestinal
problems.
- Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) - This is another enzyme produced by a variety of tissues. Concentrations tend to be highest in muscle and liver cells.
- High AST levels occur most often when the muscles and/or the liver are damaged. This damage can occur because of toxins, lack of oxygen, inflammation, metabolic disorders, and other diseases.
- Chloride - This is a negatively-charged electrolyte (dissolved salt).
- High levels of chloride can occur with diarrhea, dehydration, fluid therapy, and acidosis (where the pH of the body is abnormally low).
- Potassium - This is an electrolyte with a positive charge.
- High levels are associated with acidosis (where the pH of the body is abnormally low), kidney disease, and with some treatments and syndromes.
- Low levels are seen with diarrhea, certain phases of kidney disease, and the administration of some drugs.
- Sodium - This is also another electrolyte with a positive charge.
- High sodium levels may accompany dehydration (due to diarrhea, diuretics, etc.), and salt poisoning.
- Low sodium occurs with diarrhea, fluid therapy, and kidney problems.
