Blood tests help the doctor determine causes of illness accurately, safely, and efficiently, and let us monitor the progress of medical treatments. To help you understand your pet's test results, this blog with explain the common tests. We want you to understand our recommendations and to be a partner in your pet's health care.

Blood Chemistries:
These common blood serum tests evaluate organ function, electrolyte and hormone levels and more.
they are important in the evaluating pets receiving long term medications and overall health before anesthesia.
TOTAL PROTIEN(TP); indicates hydration status and provides additional information about liver, kidney, and infectious diseases. 
ALBUMIN (ALB): is a serum protein that helps evaluate hydration, hemorrhage, and intestinal, liver, and kidney disease.
GLOBULIN(GLOB): is a blood protein that often increases with chronic inflammation and certain disease states.
ALBUMIN/GLOBULIN RATIO: increases can indicate an inflammatory condition or renal disease.
ASPERTATE AMINOTRANSFERASE(AST): increases may indicate liver, heart, or skeletal muscle damage.
ALAINE AMINOTRANSFERASE(ALT): is a sensitive indicator of active liver damage but does not indicate the cause.
ALKALINE PHOSPHATE(ALKP): elevations may indicate liver damage, too much cortisol being produced from the adrenal glands, Cushing's disease and active bone growth in young animals. Mild elevations may be normal in older animals.
GAMMA GLUTAMYL TRANSFERSE(GGT): is an enzyme that indicates liver disease or corticosteroid excess.
TOTAL BILIRUBIN(TBIL): elevations may indicate liver or hemolytic disease. This test helps identify bile duct problems and certain types of anemia.
​UREA NITROGEN(BUN): indicates kidney function. An increased blood level is called azotemia and can be caused by kidney, liver, heart disease, urethral obstruction, shock and dehydration.
CREATININE(CREA): reveals kidney function. this test helps distinguish between kidney and non-kidney causes of elevated BUN.
BUN/CREA RATIO: when elevated can indicate gastrointestinal bleeding.
PHOSPHORUS(PHOS): elevations are often associated with kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, and bleeding disorders.
GLUCOSE(GLU): is a blood sugar elevated levels may indicate diabetes mellitus. Low levels can cause collapse, seizures, or coma. Stress alone can cause mild transient elevations.
FRUCTOSAMINE(FRU): it helps determine the average glucose level for the previous 2 to 3 weeks. Fructosamine monitoring is often the preferred method for monitoring the glucose level in cats because it is not affected by stress, which can cause a sharp increase in the blood glucose level in cats.
CALCIUM(Ca): deviations can indicate a variety of diseases. Tumors, hyperthyroidism, kidney disease and low albumin are just a few examples that alter serum calcium.
CHOLESTEROL(CHOL): is used to supplement diagnosis of hypothyroidism, liver disease, Cushing's disease and diabetes mellitus.
AMYLASE(AMYL): elevations can show pancreatitis or kidney disease. 
LIPASE(LIPA): is an enzyme that may indicate pancreatitis. 
CORTISOL: is a hormone that is measured in tests for Cushing's and Addison's diseases.
BILE ACIDS: is used to diagnose liver disease, monitor the effectiveness of treatment and assess overall liver function.
T4: Thyroid testing in dogs and cats is a common diagnostic test that measures the levels of thyroid hormones in the blood. The test is used to diagnose hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones, or hyperthyroidism, a condition where the thyroid gland produces too much. hormones.
CBC: will reveal the presence of anemia (low red blood cell count). The results can indicate a possible diagnosis of infection, inflammation, or immune system disease. Sometimes, the CBC can help determine the underlying cause of an anemia or infection. Drugs that affect the bone marrow change the CBC. Certain types of cancers, especially leukemia, may be evident on a blood smear. Blood parasites and some microorganisms are found by careful inspection of the blood cells during the CBC. In some cases, the results of the CBC will prompt your veterinarian to recommend other diagnostic tests.

AS WE ENTER THE HOTEST DAYS OF SUMMER HERE ARE A FEW THINGS TO REMEMBER 

Here are some great tips on how to keep your pet safe. 

It's that time of year again. the snow is melting and the weather is getting warmer. The trails and forests are being opened up for us to all enjoy. Here are a few things to remember when hiking with your best friend.

Hiking Safety: Make sure the hike is appropriate for your dog. That it is not too long for your friend too make comfortably.  Hiking in overly hot weather should also be avoided, as dogs are much more susceptible to the dangers of heat stroke. 

Dog Hiking Gear:  Here is a list of recommended items to have with you.

• Poop Bags
• Dog collar with ID tags and a sturdy 6 foot leash
• water supply and a portable water bowl
• Dog treats and/or snacks
• Pet first-aid kit
• Pet-safe insect repellent
• Dog booties for hiking in rough terrain

Trail etiquette:  Always be sure to be aware of any restrictions that may be on that trail. Your dog should be under control at all times. Dogs that are excessively barking, aggressive, or chasing animals are not under control. Remember that although your dog my just want to be friends that is not always true for the other people and dogs on the trial. 
National Park B.A.R.K rule:

• Bag your pet's waste
• Always leash your pet
• Respect wildlife
• Know where you can go.

San Juan National Forest rules read as: On Wilderness Trails

• Leash your dog around packers, horses, and stock animals(including stock/working dogs)
• Dogs must always be under strict leash or voice control. Maintain control of your dog at all times. Ensure your dog is a good steward of the land and respects other visitors
• Make sure that you have enough water for your canine companion.
• Please do not approach or harass wildlife or livestock or working dogs.
• Walk around and not through groups of wildlife or livestock.
• If you encounter wildlife or livestock, make them aware of you presence and move slowly.

Here is a great poster about things to watch out for now that the weather is warming up after a long winter.

Emergencies can happen at any time of the day or night. We also realize that sometimes you need guidelines to determine if your pet is having an emergency.

Below is a list of signs of an emergency. If you see any of these signs, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.

• Bleeding that does not stop
• Difficulty breathing or choking/gagging or nonstop coughing
• Hit-by-car/tractor/atv/deer etc. or falls!
• Broken leg or Large wound
• Bloated, distended, swollen or painful abdomen
• Penetrating wounds (especially in the chest or abdomen)
• Vomiting or diarrhea with blood
• Ingestion of dangerous food, poisons, plants or other materials
• Loss of consciousness
• Neurological signs (staggering, stumbling, head tilt, sudden blindness)
• Seizures (more than 1 in 24 hours)
• Inability to urinate or defecate
• Inability to deliver puppies or kittens
• Lethargic with pale gums
• Severe allergic reaction (hives or itching)
• Injury to eye
• Sudden lameness or not walking in the hind end
• Heatstroke or hypothermia
• Not drinking for 24 or more hours
• Bleeding from nose, mouth, rectum or coughing up blood

Below is a list of urgent symptoms. If you see any of these, please contact your veterinarian in 24 to 48 hours.

• Torn toe nail
• Mild allergic reaction
• Lameness
• Seizures (only one)
• Ear infections
• Small Wounds
• Pain
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• ​Inflammation or redness of eyes

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This is not a complete list but the most common. If you have any questions about what is going on with your pet please call your veterinarian.

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