Albumin - Albumin is a common blood protein produced by the liver. Decreased albumin levels are commonly encountered in liver disease (i.e.,  cirrhosis), certain types of kidney disease or parasitic infections such as hookworm.  High levels indicate dehydration and loss of protein. 

Amylase Amylase is a digestive enzyme found in the pancreas. Increased levels of amylase often indicate pancreatic inflammation. However,  many dogs with pancreatic disease have normal amylase levels.

Blood Glucose: When the body takes in carbohydrates, it converts them to glycogen, which is stored in the liver. As the individual needs energy, the glycogen is converted to glucose, which enters the bloodstream and is transported throughout the body. Blood glucose, is therefore, a measure of the animal’s nutritional level, but it is more often used to monitor metabolism and physiology. The normal range for blood sugar is 60 to 120 mg/dl (that is milligrams of glucose for each deciliter of whole blood). If the results are lower than 60, the animal is said to have low blood sugar and is referred to as hypoglycemic. If the findings are much greater than 130, the dog is said to be suffering from hyperglycemia.

Hypoglycemia is a frequent problem in young puppies, especially the toy and smaller breeds. These animals may seem weak, uncoordinated, and even have seizures. Some adult dogs also have problems with hypoglycemia, especially during periods of increased or prolonged activity. This is very common in some of the hunting breeds. Low blood sugar is also seen in animals that have been sick and debilitated for a long time and in certain forms of cancer.

Slightly elevated blood sugar results are often found when the animal is stressed or very excited when the blood sample is taken. We have frequently seen results greater than 160 from excitement alone, especially in cats. However, when the level is over 180 mg/dl, it signals problems. At this point, the threshold of the kidneys is exceeded. (While the blood is being filtered by the kidneys, the kidneys are supposed to prevent the loss of glucose in the urine. However, once this high level is reached, the ability of the kidneys to retain glucose is surpassed and 'sugar' spills over into the urine.) The most common cause of this is diabetes mellitus. The full name of this disease is diabetes mellitus, which means 'sweet urine.' In this condition, the body does not produce enough insulin, which is needed for glucose to enter the cells of the body. With inadequate insulin production, the glucose remains in the blood. We have seen blood sugar readings in diabetics as high as 900!

BUN: 'BUN' stands for Blood Urea Nitrogen and is produced by the liver and excreted through the kidneys.. The proteins that animals consume in their diet are large molecules. As they are broken down and utilized by the body, the by-product of this metabolism is nitrogen-containing urea compounds. These are of no use to the body and are excreted by the kidneys. If the kidney is not working correctly and filtering these compounds from the blood, they build up to excessively high levels. When this happens to a human, they are said to be 'uremic,' and will probably be placed on a dialysis machine.

When the BUN result is high, it is only an indication that the nitrogen wastes of protein are not being removed from the body. While kidney disease is the primary reason for studying the BUN level, there can be other causes for its elevation. We also see significant BUN elevations when the patient is dehydrated, since there is just not enough fluid in the body for the kidneys to function correctly. Additionally, if anything causes decreased blood flow to the kidneys, they cannot adequately filter the blood and the BUN will elevate. An example of this would be heart disease with decreased circulation. If there is an obstruction so that the urine cannot get out of the body, it will build up in the bladder preventing the kidneys from producing more. This would also elevate the BUN.

Lower than normal BUN levels are frequently noted in liver disease. This organ is one of the primary sites of protein breakdown. If this breakdown does not occur, the nitrogenous wastes will be found at lower than normal levels.

Creatinine: Creatinine is also used to measure the filtration rate of the kidneys. Only the kidneys excrete this substance, and if it builds up to higher than normal levels, it is a sign of decreased or impaired function of these organs.

Calcium: Calcium is a mineral that is found in consistent levels within the bloodstream. While a dog is pregnant or nursing puppies, the calcium level can become seriously depressed in a disease called eclampsia. Additionally, certain medications, tumors, etc., can affect calcium levels. It is important to detect an abnormal blood level of calcium quickly before it leads to serious heart and muscle disorders.

Total Protein: The total protein level is a combined measurement of two blood protein molecules, albumin and globulin. Albumin is normally produced by the liver. Total protein levels are increased in patients with dehydration or chronic inflammatory conditions. We often see albumin levels depressed when the animal is receiving inadequate or poor quality nutrition, or following chronic infectious diseases in which their stores have been used up and not yet replaced.   Increases indicate dehydration or blood cancer, bone marrow cancer.  Decreases indicate malnutrition, poor digestion, liver disease, kidney disease, bleeding or burns.

The term 'globulins' includes immunoglobulins which are produced by the body's immune system as part of the body’s defense against bacteria and viruses. In certain diseases, such as Feline Infectious Peritonitis, elevated globulins can occur.

Bilirubin: Bilirubin is by-product of the breakdown of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the molecule within red blood cells that is responsible for carrying oxygen to the tissues. When the blood cells die or are destroyed, hemoglobin is released and quickly broken down and excreted by the liver as bilirubin. Therefore, bilirubin levels may be higher than normal when excessive numbers of red blood cells are breaking down, or if the liver is diseased and unable to clear the bilirubin from the blood. If there is an obstruction within the liver or bile duct so that the bilirubin cannot be released into the intestine, blood levels will also elevate.  TBIL - Total Bilirubin is a component of bile; bilirubin is secreted by the liver into the intestinal tract. High levels can lead to jaundice and indicate destruction in the liver and bile duct.

ALT - ALANINE AMINOTRANSFERASE - This enzyme is considered to be liver specific in the dog. Increased levels of ALT are an indicator of damage to liver cells, as this enzyme is contained within the liver cell itself. When the cell is injured, the enzyme is released into the bloodstream and the increased level can be measured.

AST - Aspartate Aminotransferase - an enzyme seen in the liver, heart, kidney, skeletal muscle and brain. The half life of the AST in the blood stream is much shorter than that of ALT, therefore the values of AST tend to drop more rapidly once liver function is resumed. AST elevations and ALT elevations should parallel each other in liver disease.

Alkaline Phosphatase: Serum alkaline phosphatase (often abbreviated 'SAP') belongs to a class of compounds called enzymes. This enzyme is found in many different tissues within the body, primarily liver, bone, intestines, and kidneys. These are protein molecules that function to assist various chemical reactions. Although the normal level of alkaline phosphatase varies in different species of animals, alkaline phosphatase in a dog is seen at higher levels in certain forms of cancer and some muscle and liver diseases.  Increased ALP levels can be seen with liver disease and gallbladder disorders. In addition, drugs such as corticosteroids and phenobarbital can cause increased ALP levels. Very high ALP levels can be seen in dogs with adrenal gland disease as well.

GGT - Gamma Glutamyltransferase - This enzyme is has it's highest concentration in the kidneys and pancreas, but it is also found in the liver and other organs. The major proportion of GGT in the serum seems to come from the liver. Elevations of GGT in disease seem to stem from new synthesis rather than leakage, therefore the changes seen due to disease are not spectacular. Large elevations of GGT are more commonly associated with pancreatitis and bile duct obstruction.

Glucose - Increased blood levels of glucose in the dog often signal diabetes, whereas low blood sugar levels  are seen with nutritional problems as well as pancreatic tumors.

Glob - Decreased levels indicate problems with antibodies, immunodeficiency viruses or risk of infectious disease.  Increased levels may indicate stress, dehydration, blood cancer, allergies, liver disease, heart disease, arthritis or diabetes.
 
SGPT: Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase (SGPT) is also called 'alanine amino transferase' (ALT). It is an enzyme important in liver function. An elevation usually means that the liver cells are breaking down for some reason. The liver may be cancerous, have an infection within it, be congested or engorged with too much blood (as in heart failure), failing or worn out as in cirrhosis, obstructed so that the waste products and toxins it filters from the blood cannot be removed from the body via the bile duct, etc. Basically, anything that adversely affects the liver or its ability to function correctly will elevate the SGPT.

CA - calcium - Blood calcium levels are influenced by diet, hormone level and blood protein levels.  Decreased levels indicate acute damage to the pancreas or underactive parathyroid.  Muscle twitches may occur in decrease calcium levels.  Increased levels can be an indicator of certain types of tumors, parathyroid or kidney disease.

Cholesterol: Cholesterol does not have the same connotation as it does in human medicine. Hardening and obstruction of the vessels of the heart is not a common problem in canine and feline medicine. Rather, cholesterol deviations are generally secondary signs of other diseases. Animals with inadequately functioning thyroid glands often have elevated cholesterol. Decreased levels are often found in an overactive thyroid gland or intestinal mal-absorption. 
Elevated levels of cholesterol are seen in a variety of disorders including hypothyroidism and diseases of the liver, kidneys, cardiovascular, diabetes and stress.

Sodium and Potassium: Sodium and potassium levels are interpreted together. Their levels can be seriously affected in diseases of the adrenal glands, heart, kidneys, or by various medications, etc. Conversely, changes in their levels can lead to very serious secondary problems. such as preventing the heart, nerves, and kidneys from functioning correctly.

Phosporous- Elevated blood levels of phosphorous can signify kidney disease, parathyroid disease, or certain bone conditions.