Meeko was up to 106/107 grams this morning!

that's great news, i sure hope you find out what is wrong with your little one, hope he's still doing great, keep them updates coming and i'll keep the prayers coming he'll be okay!!!

Part 2 (there will be one more). Told you it was a lot of info!

Chemistry Testing:

Chemistry normal values-the amounts of various substances within the normal body , determined by testing a large number presumed to be healthy. Normal values are expressed in ranges of numbers, and ranges vary for different age groups, and from lab to lab. Although variations from normal values can be highly significant tools in the diagnoses of certain diseases, in all cases an abnormal result must be cautiously interpreted.

ALB (albumin) a water soluble (dissolvable) heat coagulable (clotting) protein. Various albumins are found in practically all animal tissues and many plant tissues. Determining the levels and kinds of albumin in urine, blood, and other body tissues is the basis of a number of lab tests. For instance, albumin A is a blood serum constituent (an essential part; component; element) that gathers in cancer cells and is deficient in circulation in cancer patients.

ALKP or ALP (alkaline phosphatase) an enzyme present in bone, the kidneys, the intestine, plasma, and teeth. It may be elevated in the serum in some diseases of the bone and liver and in some other illnesses. Abnormal levels can be indicative of such illnesses as external and internal obstructive biliary disease (bile duct), hepatic tumors, hepatotoxic drugs, hepatitis, osteopblastic metastatic tumors, Paget’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and hyperparathyroidism.

ALT or SGPT (alanine aminotransferase) an enzyme normally present in the serum and tissues of the body, especially the tissues of the liver. The enzyme is released into the serum as a result of tissue injury and increases in the case of acute liver damage. Elevated levels of ALT are highly specific in indicating hepatocellular disease (hepato-of the liver).

AMYL (amylase) an enzyme that speeds up the hydrolysis (to break down with water) of starch into smaller carbohydrate molecules. The test is most specific for pancreatitis and other pancreatic disorders. Elevated levels may also indicate non pancreatic disorders such as bowel perforation, penetrating peptic ulcer, duodenal obstruction, and others.

BUN (blood urea nitrogen) this is a measure of the amount of urea in the blood. Urea forms in the liver as the end product of protein metabolism, circulates in the blood, and is excreted through the kidney in urine. The BUN, determined by blood test, is directly related to the metabolic function of the liver and excretory function of the kidney. A very high level can indicate serious impairment of renal (kidney) function.

Ca (calcium) an alkaline earth metal element. Fifth most abundant element in the body and is mainly present in bone. The body needs calcium ions for the transmission of nerve impulses, muscle contraction, blood coagulation (clotting), cardiac (heart) functions, and other processes, and it is a component of extracellular fluid and of soft tissue cells. The endocrine system controls the concentration of ionized calcium in the plasma-only a small amount of intake is ionized and diffusible-the rest is bound to proteins, especially albumen. Vitamin D, calcitonin, and parathyroid hormone are essential in the metabolism of calcium. Abnormally high levels of ionized calcium in the extracellular fluid can produce muscle weakness, lethargy, and coma. A relatively small decrease from the normal level of this element can produce tetanic seizures. The blood or urine test is used to evaluate parathyroid function and calcium metabolism by directly measuring the total amount of calcium in the blood. It is used to monitor patients with renal failure or transplantation, hyperparathyroidism, and various malignancies, as well as during and after large blood transfusions (transplant and transfusion not done on gliders).

CHOL (cholesterol)a waxy lipid soluble compound found only in animal tissues. It is an integral component in every cell in the body, facilitating the absorption and transport of fatty acids. It is found in foods of animal origin and is continuously synthesized in the body, primarily in the liver.

CREA (creatinine) a substance formed from the metabolism of creatine, commonly found in blood, urine, and muscle tissue. It is measured in blood and urine tests as an indicator of kidney function.

GLU (glucose) a simple sugar found in certain foods, especially fruits, and a major source of energy present in the blood and animal body fluids. Excess glucose in circulation is normally polymerized (to undergo a change) within the liver and muscles as glycogen, which is hydrolyzed to glucose and liberated (freed) as needed. Determining blood glucose levels is an important diagnostic test in diabetes and other disorders.

PHOS (phosphate) a salt of phosphoric acid. Phosphates are extremely important in living cells, particularly in the storage and use of energy and the transmission of genetic information within a cell and from one cell to another. Abnormal phosphate levels are associated with renal failure, acromegaly, hyper- or hypoparathyroidism, liver disease, advanced lymphoma or myeloma, hemolytic anemia, hypercalcemia, vitamin D deficiency, diabetic acidosis, hyperinsulinism, and sepsis, among other conditions.

BIL or TBIL (bilirubin) the orange-yellow pigment of bile, formed principally by the breakdown of hemoglobin in red blood cells after termination of their normal lifespan. Water-insoluble (unable to be broken down in water) unconjugated bilirubin normally travels in the bloodstream to the liver, where it is converted to a water soluble, conjugated form and excreted into the bile. The majority of bilirubin leaves the body in the stool. The characteristic yellow pallor of jaundice is caused by the accumulation (build up) of bilirubin in the blood and tissues of the skin. Blood testing for it provides information for diagnosis and evaluation of liver disease, biliary obstruction, and hemolytic anemia.

TP (total protein) – built up of necessary amino acids, major source of building materials for muscles, blood, skin, hair, nails, and the internal organs. Growth hormone, insulin, and androgens stimulate protein formation, and adrenal cortical hormones tend to cause breakdown of body proteins. Diseases affecting protein metabolism include homocystinuria, liver disease, maple sugar urine disease, and phenylketonuria. The presence of unusually large amounts of protein in blood or urine can be a sign of renal disease or complications of another disease, such as hypertension or heart failure.

GLOB (globulin) one of a broad category of simple proteins classified by solubility, electrophoretic mobility, and size.

Hb (hemoglobin)- a complex protein-iron compound in the blood that carries oxygen to the cells from the lungs and carbon dioxide away from the cells to the lungs. Testing is for abnormal levels, cells, etc.

Lipase – any of several enzymes produced by the organs of the digestive system that catalyze the breakdown of lipids. Test results are used most often to diagnose acute pancreatitis, but also are useful in helping diagnose renal failure, intestinal infarction or obstruction, and several other conditions.

TGs (triglyceride) – a simple fat compound made up of 3 molecules of fatty acid and glycerol. They make up most animal and vegetable fats and are the principal lipids in the blood, circulating within lipoproteins. The test detects levels of fats existing within the bloodstream that are transported by Very Low Density Lipoproteins and Low Density Lipoproteins. It is part of a lipid profile that also evaluates cholesterol and lipoproteins to [censored] the risk of coronary and vascular disease.

Hematocrit, or PCV- a measure of the packed cell volume of red cells expressed as a percentage of the total blood volume. There is a normal range, and an abnormal one.

These are the most common tests done on a blood sample. Later I’ll go over a urinalysis and what anemia is. For now, here’s the link that will explain which tests are done and why for each grouping. Some of what they look for has already been covered here.
Click on the words (in blue) for each group for more specifics.

http://www.antechdiagnostics.com/petOwners/wellnessExams/testGuide.htm

Last one unless there are questions (bet you're all glad and going 'shut up' lol). It includes Urinalysis and Anemia


Urinalysis

A physical, microscopic, or chemical examination of urine. The sample is physically examined for color, turbidity, and specific gravity.

Turbidity: a condition of light scattering in a liquid resulting from the presence of suspended particles. In other words, cloudy or obscured in appearance. Turbidity increases with the concentration of particles and depends on their shapes and sizes.

After being physically examined (ever wonder why they don’t just say ‘looked at’?) it is spun in a centrifuge to allow collection of a small amount of sediment, which is examined under a microscope for blood cells, casts, crystals, pus, and bacteria. Chemical analysis may also be performed to measure the pH and to identify and measure the levels of ketones, sugar, protein, blood components, and many other substances.

Now to what these things are. Blood, glucose, bilirubin, and protein have been covered. Most don’t know what pH, ketones and the like are, though, or whether they should be there, or what. So on to definitions.

Specific gravity (sp.gr.): is the ratio of the density of a substance to the density of another substance accepted as a standard. The usual standard for liquids and solids is water. Thus, a liquid or solid with a specific gravity of 4 is four times as dense as water at the same temperature.

PH –abbreviation for potential hydrogen, a scale representing the relative acidity (or alkalinity) of a solution, in which a value of 7.0 is neutral. Below 7.0 is acid, above 7.0 is alkaline.

Urinary sediment: solid matter that settles to the bottom of a urine sample that has been allowed to stand for several hours.

Urinary casts-cells or particles excreted in the urine having the shape of renal-collecting tubule cells.

Urinary crystals: such as calcium phosphate, tri phosphate, etc. They can occur with a UTI , and frequently accompany an alkaline pH.

Ketones: are an organic chemical compound characterized by having in it’s structure a carbonyl, or keto, group attached to two alkyl groups. It is produced by oxidation of secondary alcohols.

What do the numbers on the urinalysis mean? Here are some answers-NOTE that it is not all of them, and abnormal readings could indicate other things as well. That’s why we have vets.

Color: Normal…amber yellow. Abnormal…red indicates hematuria (possibly urinary obstruction, renal calculi, tumor, renal failure, cystitis)

Clarity: Normal…clear. Abnormal…cloudy; debris, bacterial sediment (urinary infection)

pH: Normal…according to my vet about 6.0-7.5. Abnormal…1. alkaline on standing or with urinary tract infection. 2. increased acidity with renal tubular acidosis.

Specific gravity: normal…in humans it’s 1.010 – 1.026—Chronos was 1.034..I don’t know what is normal for a glider. Abnormal: Usually reflects fluid intake: the less fluid intake, the higher the specific gravity. If specific gravity remains low (1.010-1.014 in Humans), renal disease or pituitary disease (deficit of ADH) is suspected.

Protein: normal-do not know for glider. 0-8mg/dl for Humans. Abnormal…Proteinuria may occur with high protein diet and exercise (particularly prolonged). Seen in Renal disease.

Sugar: Normal…0 Abnormal…Glycosuria occurs after a high intake of sugar or with diabetes mellitus.

Ketones: Normal…0 Abnormal…ketonuria occurs with starvation and diabetic ketoacidosis.

RBCs (red blood cells) Normal…0-4 (Human) Abnormal…Injury to kidney tissue (see color above)

WBCs (white blood cells) Normal…0-5 (Human) Abnormal…Urinary tract infection

Casts: Normal…0 Abnormal…Urinary tract infection, renal disease

There are other things that may be tested for as well, but these are the most common a glider owner will see.

There are also tests for Thyroid function, with names like T1, T3, free T4, that are specific and necessary for diagnosing thyroid issues. I do not know if they’ve ever been done on a glider or if any kind of normal values are known or estimated.










Anemia
(and note that most ‘symptoms’ would be almost impossible to see on a glider-which is what makes testing to find the cause so important)

Anemia is a decrease in hemoglobin in the blood levels to below the normal range. Anemia may be caused by a decrease in red cell production, an increase in red cell destruction, or a loss of blood.

Depending on severity, anemia may be accompanied by clinical findings that come from the lessened oxygen carrying capacity of the blood. Signs and symptoms include fatigue, exertional dyspnea (a distressful sensation of uncomfortable breathing that may be caused by certain heart conditions, strenuous exercise, or anxiety), dizziness, headache, insomnia, and pallor (ie pale nose/gums). Signs may also include confusion or disorientation. Anorexia (NOT the eating disorder. It is: lack or loss of appetite resulting in the inability to eat. The condition may result from poorly prepared or unattractive food or surroundings, unfavorable company, or various physical and psychological causes.), dyspepsia (a vague feeling of epigastric discomfort after eating-an uncomfortable feeling of fullness, heartburn, bloating, and nausea), HEART: palpitations , tachycardia, cardiac dilation, and systolic murmurs also may occur. Iron deficiency is the most common causative factor. Additional lab studies may be required to establish the less common forms of anemia.

The therapeutic response to anemia (treatment for) is variable and depends on the causative factors. Moderate to severe anemia, with hemoglobin levels that are below (in Humans) 7-8 g/dL, may require transfusion of one or more units of blood (packed blood cells), especially if the condition is acute and specific clinical signs are present. Depending on the kind of anemia, treatment includes providing supplements of the deficient component, eliminating the cause of the blood loss, or alleviating the hemolytic component. Alleviating the hemolytic component may involve administration (or dosing) of adrenal corticosteroids or splenectomy—which would not be viable on a glider. Neither would a transfusion.

Appropriate lab tests are repeated at intervals to monitor the response and need for continued therapy. Erythropoietin injections may be used to stimulate red cell production when anemia is secondary to chronic renal (kidney) failure, or the anemia of chronic disease.

There are many kinds of anemia-caused by things from kidney infections, parasites, dietary iron deficiency, processing issues, etc. A parasite that travels through the bloodstream, such as trichinosis, may also trigger a white cell response in the host as if there were a bacterial infection. Because a glider will not show most symptoms, or be able to tell a vet “I feel…” or “It hurts here…” testing is the only conclusive way we have to confirm a problem that may not be straightforward, and ensure the right treatment in a timely manner, since usually with gliders by the time we know there’s a problem at all it’s late in the game.

I’ve talked to Chris about subq’s both before and after his blood draw, considering his weight, to make it easier on him, with the backup and professional advice of another GC member on that. I am also going to quote part of the PM (hope that’s okay!) in additional info she’s added for our understanding and education, and in an attempt to help Chris and her vet (the neat thing is that after recent studies and typing all this, I have no problem understanding what she said, as well as agreeing):

WOW....that is a lot of good info for referrence. Thanks Jen!! Can we sticky that at the top of the forum so its easy to find?

Jen.....WOW, you make my head spin. That's alot to take in all at once even when broken down into "bite" size pieces.
I'm definately going to have to print it out to take with me to the vets office.

also.........

Meeko was 109/110 grams this morning!

I know it's alot-told you it wouldn't work on the phone, lol. But it gives the whys behind what you're asking for, and an understanding of why it's important to do, and do it right.

Things I'd like the vet to look into, if Meeko were mine:

Parasites. First thing. It would account for all of his symptoms. So far they haven't done anything that would confirm or deny-and the meds will make that more complicated. I'd go for repeat testing the next several weeks as well on fecals just to be sure.

As stated, make sure they're specific as to which tests they want run with the blood sample:



Since this is someone who works in one of said labs, they do know what they're talking about-you don't want that sample wasted.

And do somehow get a urine sample to test.

With the fecals, make sure both float and smear are done each time.

Kidneys are another thing that stood out-if they are infected/damaged could account for all of his symptoms also. I'm sure there could be other things, or combinations that could as well, but those are the two that stood out most. Have him cover as many bases as possible.

It was also suggested to me that the Hemoglobin, hematocrit and PCV in a recount when you get the new sample can be a benefit with pinpointing the anemia as well - those numbers weren't included in the first one (please other GC member-if I missed something let me know so I can edit)

K-other possibilities:


And told you he was trying (weight)! All those extras are helping! Go Meeko!

I just wanted to update everyone on Meeko. I talked with the vet clinic today and the fecal sample I took in for Meeko came back negative for parasites. I will take in another sample to be tested in a few weeks because I know that some parasites are cyclic & might not show up in one testing. But for now he is negative & that is good. Also when I weighed Meeko this morning he was a solid 111 grams!

Chris I don't mean to hack into your thread but I've been following because I now find one of my boys in this same situation.

Jen how much of a weight loss before I should be concerned? My Jack who is 4yrs is now starting to lose weight & nothing has changed in his diet in 2yrs.I've only had him just over 2yrs & the first year his weight stayed at 120 then the last year he was up to 130. His appetite still seems normal except for an isolated experience about 2-3wks ago.He went 2 nights barely eating- at the same time I gave them this new large toy & as soon as I removed it- he was back to eating normal, so I chalked it up to the new toy.

April Jack weighed his 130
May he went down to 120
And today he's now down to 115 (I weighed him last night and he was 110- but didn't want to go by that because I normally weigh them in the morning and for accuracy I weighed him this am).

So in 2months that's 15grams from a glider who had a steady record of staying the same weight. His buddy Serenity is at 190 and has been there for over 6months. They don't fight over food and both eat together.

edited to add*- Jack had a normal fecal in April.

Nancy, I'd recommend getting him in to be tested. With Meeko the only indication that ANYTHING was wrong was the fact that he was loosing weight. Otherwise he seemed perfectly fine, looked great & acted normal. It was only after the bloodwork that we found that he had some kind of infection & was anemic.

Meeko is continuing to gain weight. As of this morning he was 115 grams....when I got him to hold his tail up. When he had it resting on the cage bottom (while sitting on the scale) he was 114 grams.

I spoke with Dr Kaiser today & in light of Meeko gaining weight right now, we have decided to postpone his second bloodtest until he reaches at least 120 grams. Things will be much safer for him then.

Just wanted to update everyone. On Thursday when I weighed Meeko, he had appeared to have lost a gram & was back down to 116. But after weighing him on Friday I think I must have made some kind of mistake with the scale on Thursday, because Meeko weighed in at a whopping 121 grams! He is eating well & is very active.

Go Meeko!!!

WTG Meeko!

On May 12 Meeko was 105 grams & I was very worried about him. I just weighed him this morning & he was up to 126 grams!
He has been off antibiotics since Tuesday & for the last few days I have not been giving him lots of extras, just his normal meals & he is continuing to gain! I'm so happy! I'd like to get him up to @ 130 grams & then try to keep him at that weight, because he is looking really really good right now. Not too fluffy & not thin anymore!

Keep it up Meeko!