Got Sheba's bloodwork back

[trikerdon]

Had Sheba tested to see how she was doing. The vet had no problems with feeding RMB's.
She wrote that she is getting the correct amount of nutrients in her diet, but recommended giving a vitamin/mineral supplements.
I have a problem with a couple of the results.
1. Her BUN level was high (36 with a ref. range between 6-31)
2. Her BUN/Creatinine Ratio is 33 (ref. range between 4-27)
Looking up BUN on the web on dogs gave me this:

Blood urea nitrogen: Increases can be caused by excessive protein intake, kidney damage, certain drugs, low fluid intake, intestinal bleeding, exercise, or heart failure. Decreased levels may be due to a poor diet, malabsorption, liver damage, or low nitrogen intake.

Creatinine: Low levels are sometimes seen in kidney damage, protein starvation, liver disease, or pregnancy. Elevated levels are sometimes seen in kidney disease due to the kidneys job of excreting creatinine, muscle degeneration, and some drugs involved in impairment of kidney function.

Now this has me worried. I will go to the Vet tomorrow and see if I have anything to worry about. She didn't say anything in the results I got.....

Oh, and yes, be real careful using those poultry shears. It's hard to type with a bandage on your index finger....

[DaneMama]

Raw fed dogs normally have higher BUN and creatinine levels since their diet is almost exclusively protein. Just have a urine sample tested for concentration (specific gravity) to make sure the urine is nice and concentrated. If her urine is dilute AND her kidney values are up it means something is wrong with her kidneys. But if her urine is nice and concentrated, it means they're working just fine.

[xellil]

I would definitely discuss it with the vet - she gave you the results with no comments?

Sorry about the finger :)

[MollyWoppy]

Have a look at the blood work stickie in the raw feeding thread. There are some blood test results shown on there.
In Mol's first bloodtest, last May, she also had a higher bun and bun/creatinine ratio. Not off the books, just slightly higher like your pup's. My vet also never mentioned anything about it, which lead me to think it wasn't a problem.
In Mol's latest bloodtest, 2 weeks ago, her levels are now totally normal.
So, don't panic, I'm sure it doesn't mean anything, her levels aren't anything at the scales that mean something is wrong.
Was Sheba stressed or maybe dehydrated? That can also make a difference, as can when she was last fed and what she was fed.

On Mol's first test, she wasn't fasted, she was super stressed and dehydrated. The second test she was fasted for 18 hours, was maybe slightly dehydrated and was stressed again, but not as badly as the first time. And, this time she also had a urinalysis done (thanks to Natalie) which was had a high gravity (nice and concentrated).

[Donna Little]

I just had my Min Pin's bloodwork done for her upcoming surgery and her BUN/creatinine ratio was 40. The vet mentioned it was high but didn't sound at all worried about it and said she was fine to have surgery.

[malluver1005]

I don't get something. Aspen's BUN is 22 with a reference range of 7-27. His BUN/CREA ratio is 15.7. Why are all labs different in regards to reference ranges?

[trikerdon]

Raw fed dogs normally have higher BUN and creatinine levels since their diet is almost exclusively protein. Just have a urine sample tested for concentration (specific gravity) to make sure the urine is nice and concentrated. If her urine is dilute AND her kidney values are up it means something is wrong with her kidneys. But if her urine is nice and concentrated, it means they're working just fine.

How the heck do you take a urine sample from a little female Aussie? She squats so close to the ground I couldn't get any container to fit to catch it in......

[MollyWoppy]

I used one of those stryofoam plate things that the supermarket puts meat in. The lip is only about 1/2". Just washed it really well first with detergent and hot water, then poured almost boiling water over it and air dried. You don't need much urine, I was lucky to have 2 tablespoons left after I dropped the medicine bottle I put it in.
Worked a charm for Mol.
I have absolutely no idea what I'm going to do when it comes to Windy the cat though.