opinion on cats blood work-up

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Tara Legale - 14 Oct 2007 04:01 GMT

I need to have dental work done on my cat (9 years old). I had them do the
pre-blood chemisty to check for problems. Her creatinine is a little high
at 2.2 (high end max 1.6 and is related to her kidney function), her ALT is
74 (high end max should be no more than 50, this is related to liver
function). All other levels are fine.

The vet said her creatinine is high and that she has very diminished kidney
function, but as you see above, the creatinine isn't that high, it is the
ALT (liver) that is very high. I'm just wondering if anyone has experience
with lab readings and has an opinion.

I have an appointment for her dental work for next Friday (10/19). We will
do a urinalysis pre-procedure, and the vet says IV before, during and after.
I'm very worried because I have lost two pets (a cat and a dog) to
anetheasia (sp?) in the past. I also alerted the vet to a concern of her
getting easily winded if another cat chases her. He said her heart and
breathing sounded fine, no murmur. He said she could have mild exercise
induced asthma. This only adds to my worry about the dental work. However
the vet said it is important to do the work, her teeth are very bad and will
do further damage damage to her kidneys, etc.

Opinions and more importantly experience with labs and the procedures pre
and during dental work?

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MaryL - 14 Oct 2007 17:58 GMT

>I need to have dental work done on my cat (9 years old). I had them do the
>pre-blood chemisty to check for problems. Her creatinine is a little high
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
> Opinions and more importantly experience with labs and the procedures pre
> and during dental work?

It would be worth waiting awhile and then get another blood test. There is
some disagreement about the upper range of "normal" creatinine levels for
cats, and borderline results should be rechecked. You should also check for
the possibility of dehydration. Duffy's blood test in May showed slightly
high creatinine (2.4), but it had dropped back to normal (2.0) for his blood
test that was taken last week. His BUN was well within the normal range in
each case. It would be more alarming if that had also been high.
Incidentally, I made the mistake of permitting the vet to take Holly and
Duffy out of the examination room (where I waited). I could hear each of
them screaming, and it took an abnormally long time to draw blood. Holly
had to have a follow-up screening the next week, and Duffy had new blood
work last week. In each case, I said that I wanted to remain with them this
time. With me in the room, the cats remained calm, and it only took about
30 seconds to draw blood. I suggest that you do the same thing. (Of
course, I also know enough not to interfere with the procedure!)

Here is a page you might want to read:
http://www.vetinfo.com/0199example.html

MaryL

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