Merlin's Blood Tests

[MerlinsMum]

Our visit to the vet today was stressful.

 

It was supposed to be a simple pre-dental exam. They took his blood to run some tests, checked him over. He also had his anal glands expressed. I asked them to do this as a few weeks ago his bum started smelling really bad. I was going to go sooner but his bum stopped smelling, and I decided to wait until I went to the vet about his dental. I feel SO bad now. It turns out that Merlin's anal glands were very full, and the matter in them had turned hard and was hard to squeeze out. He has an infection! It was very painful for him. I heard him scream out the GSOD for what seemed like an eternity. I swear my heart felt as if it stopped beating as I listened to that blood-curdling sound I hate so much. It's just the most horrible sound I think I have ever heard. I had heard Merlin's GSOD several times before, but today it lasted for so long, and I knew he was hurting. My imagination was running amok because I couldn't see him - they had taken him to the back room. All I could hear was that bone-chilling sound. I was having fits listening to my baby scream like that. :(

 

Anyway - his blood tests came back and this is what the vet showed me (I asked for a copy). I really like our vet, who is grey-savvy and never ever hurries through a visit. I am always made to feel as if Merlin is their only, or most important, patient, and everyone behaves as if they are prepared to take all the time in the world with him when we visit. The vet went through the results with me and answered my questions about the dental Merlin will have at the end of the month. She showed me that some of the results were read as high by the machine, but that they are normal for greyhounds...

 

Any feedback from people who have more knowledge about this stuff than me?

 

WBC 5.40 K/μL LOW (normal 5.50 - 16.90)

HGB 21.1 g/dL HIGH (normal 12.0 - 18.0)

MCHC 38.7 g/dL HIGH (normal 30.0 - 37.5)

PLT 170. K/μL LOW (normal 175. - 500)

 

CREA 2.0 mg/dL HIGH (normal 0.5 - 1.8)

 

Thanks!

[greyhndz]

The CBC (RBC, WBC, platelets) is normal. The creatinine I'd keep an eye on, as it's a little high. The vet would probably want to repeat that, and get a BUN as well as a urinalysis. Definitely want to check for protein in the urine, and rule-out infection.

[Batmom]

Looks fine.

 

The low/high notations there, and the ranges, are what's normal for OTHER breeds of dogs. Greyhounds tend to run a bit higher creatinine than other dogs (as well as lower WBC, higher HGB, lower platelets, higher MCHC. Which is exactly what your bloodwork shows.

[Guest sheila]

I can't answer for blood levels. I have to ask why you would allow your dog to be examined while you aren't there? I don't think I would be comfortable with that. Then again, it's never been an issue with my vet, I am always standing right there in the exam room. It's expected that I be there.

[HopeForHounds]

WBC 5.40 K/μL LOW (normal 5.50 - 16.90) Greyhound: 3.5 - 6.5

HGB 21.1 g/dL HIGH (normal 12.0 - 18.0) 19.0 - 21.5

MCHC 38.7 g/dL HIGH (normal 30.0 - 37.5)

PLT 170. K/μL LOW (normal 175. - 500) Greyhound: 80,000 - 200,000

 

CREA 2.0 mg/dL HIGH (normal 0.5 - 1.8) Greyhounds: .8 - 1.6

Thanks!

 

Here are the norms in bold for what Merlin should have. He looks good, creatnine is up.

[MerlinsMum]

The CBC (RBC, WBC, platelets) is normal. The creatinine I'd keep an eye on, as it's a little high. The vet would probably want to repeat that, and get a BUN as well as a urinalysis. Definitely want to check for protein in the urine, and rule-out infection.

 

That's exactly what the vet said! She said she wants to keep an eye on the creatinine, and since she put Merlin on antibiotics for his anal glands, she told me she is hoping it will clear up any issue with his red prepuce, which had a bit of a discharge. So she gave me a cup and told me to collect a sample just before I come in for his dental once he finishes this course of antibiotics. She said she will do a urinalysis/BUN for free at that time. Thanks for your advice!

 

I can't answer for blood levels. I have to ask why you would allow your dog to be examined while you aren't there? I don't think I would be comfortable with that. Then again, it's never been an issue with my vet, I am always standing right there in the exam room. It's expected that I be there.

 

I wasn't comfortable. I am always with Merlin when he gets examined. This time, though, the vet tech came back in while I was waiting for the vet, and said: "Do you mind if we just take him to the back room to draw blood? I'll bring him right back and then you can talk to the vet". I was a bit surprised, but thought, oh well, it's just to draw some blood, sure. I trust this vet clinic 100%. I had never seen this particular vet tech before - I think she's new - but in the year and a half I've been going there all the vet techs have shown to be knowledgeable and their bedside manner is amazing. So I didn't think twice about the fact that she was new. Besides, she wasn't the one who did the expressing, it was my vet.

 

Thing is, I thought Merlin was just going out back for 2 minutes to have his blood drawn - I didn't know they were going to express his glands without me there too. In fact, I had specifically told the (new) vet tech that I wanted to watch to see how it's done, in case he needs his anal glands expressed again sometime, and in that case I could know how to do it myself.

 

I do trust my vet, and I am not going to make a big deal out of this, they are amazing with Merlin.

[Batmom]

Note that norms can vary for different labs. So, a 1.6 might be the high end for creatinine for one lab, while another lab might have a high end of 2.0. The useful bit to remember is that greyhounds can run somewhat higher without it being indicative of disease. Might find Dr. Feeman's article a useful read: http://www.animalmedicalcentreofmedina.com...d%20Labwork.pdf

[MerlinsMum]

Thank you Batmom

[GeorgeofNE]

WBC 5.40 K/μL LOW (normal 5.50 - 16.90) Greyhound: 3.5 - 6.5

HGB 21.1 g/dL HIGH (normal 12.0 - 18.0) 19.0 - 21.5

MCHC 38.7 g/dL HIGH (normal 30.0 - 37.5)

PLT 170. K/μL LOW (normal 175. - 500) Greyhound: 80,000 - 200,000

 

CREA 2.0 mg/dL HIGH (normal 0.5 - 1.8) Greyhounds: .8 - 1.6

Thanks!

 

Here are the norms in bold for what Merlin should have. He looks good, creatnine is up.

 

 

George's creatine is 1.9, and my vet ran test after test after test. All his urine values are totally normal, so I finally consulted with Dr. Couto, and he said that 1.9 is perfectly fine for a greyhound, as long as his urine is normal (not a sign of kidney issues, in otherwords, if the urine doesn't support a diagnosis of kidney problems).

 

 

[gracegirl]

I can't answer for blood levels. I have to ask why you would allow your dog to be examined while you aren't there? I don't think I would be comfortable with that. Then again, it's never been an issue with my vet, I am always standing right there in the exam room. It's expected that I be there.

I've never been in the room for anal gland expression. I'm in the room for the exam and sometimes the vaccinations. They take my dogs to the back for suture/staple removal, anal gland expression, shots, blood draw, bandage changes...those are just the recent things we've been in for. I've never thought twice about it. It's the norm at all three vets offices I've been to. (Grace's first vet has restrictive hours, the second vet was a specialist, and the third is our regular vet.)

 

IMO, if I can't trust my vet taking my dog in the back, I shouldn't be going to that vet. Every time I've asked to be present for something, I've been allowed to do that as well. Maybe it's a regional thing.

[Burpdog]

Creatine is fine as long as his BUN is within normal range, especially since he needs a dental. I've had them up to 2.3 with no problems.

 

Rest of his blood work looks fine

[KingsMom]

I have no experience with this but offer hugs to you both!! I'm sure it was awful for both of you!!

[greyhndz]

George's creatine is 1.9, and my vet ran test after test after test. All his urine values are totally normal, so I finally consulted with Dr. Couto, and he said that 1.9 is perfectly fine for a greyhound, as long as his urine is normal (not a sign of kidney issues, in otherwords, if the urine doesn't support a diagnosis of kidney problems).

 

 

Exactly right. I'm a little sensitized to this issue right now because my IG had an elevated BUN and variable creatinine (between 1.0 - 2.0). She shortly thereafter developed proteinuria (the kidneys, when functioning properly, act as filters which prevent protein from passing into the urine). After watching her BUN and creatinine steadily rise over the next few weeks, and confirming that her urine contained a large amount of protein, I brought her to an internal medicine vet for an extensive workup. (read: $$$$$$$ ) On ultrasound, it's clear that she's had chronic kidney disease for years, but only within the past 6 months has her kidney function declined.

 

Sounds like your vet is right on top of things! But I'm sorry Merlin had a major owie as part of the deal. I hope everything turns out to be fine with Merlin - at both ends.