Creatinine In Urine (not Blood!)

[Guest HersheysMom]

In a urinalysis, does the creatinine in a greyhounds urine run high? I am aware that it runs high in the bloodwork. Thanks for any info.

[Burpdog]

I'm going to guess yes, but will check.

 

I found this interesting (from a people description):

 

Urine creatinine (UCr)

Creatinine concentration is also checked during standard urine drug tests. High creatinine levels indicate a pure test while low amounts of creatinine in the urine indicate a manipulated test, either through the addition of water in the sample or by drinking excessive amounts of water.

 

another people site indicated a creatine clearance test generally was based on a 24 hour urine collection.

[Guest jurishound]

From IDEXX Labs - in reference to dogs and cats:

 

What are the reference ranges for the individual urine chemistries—urine protein and urine creatinine?

 

We do not have reference ranges for urine protein and urine creatinine. The individual urine protein and urine creatinine results should not be evaluated on their own since the individual measurements (UPRO and UCRE) can change significantly within a short time frame, and are sensitive to urine volume and concentration. The benefit of the urine protein:creatinine ratio is that it automatically corrects for variations in urine volume and concentration.

 

This suggests that individual urine creatinine levels (across all breeds) are not particularly useful for DX purposes.

 

Is everyone okay?

Edited June 18, 2009 by jurishound

[Guest HersheysMom]

Thanks Burpdog! Okay, the clinic manager actually called the lab, who has really helpful staff that help you out with any questions. There actually are no reference ranges for this - it's simply the amount being excreted and has nothing to do with kidney problems - you aren't supposed to be looking at that number alone - but how well the urine is being concentrated (in his case well so it would be high) That runs along the lines of it being lower if the urine is diluted as in your reference above.

 

When taking all of his numbers, including a nomal protein/creatinine ratio, we've concluded Johnny B does NOT have early stage kidney disease

 

Boy, these guys labs can get complicated

 

From IDEXX Labs - in reference to dogs and cats:

 

What are the reference ranges for the individual urine chemistries—urine protein and urine creatinine?

 

We do not have reference ranges for urine protein and urine creatinine. The individual urine protein and urine creatinine results should not be evaluated on their own since the individual measurements (UPRO and UCRE) can change significantly within a short time frame, and are sensitive to urine volume and concentration. The benefit of the urine protein:creatinine ratio is that it automatically corrects for variations in urine volume and concentration.

 

This suggests that individual urine creatinine levels (across all breeds) are not particularly useful for DX purposes.

 

Is everyone okay?

 

Joslin - wish I'd read your post sooner! Thank you! Everyone is a-ok, see above.

[feemandvm]

You really only look at a urine creatinine in a "Urine protein/creatinine ratio"... not as a stand alone level. Greyhounds have higher blood levels of creatinine than other dogs but this does not influence urine creatinine levels. Thus a Greyhound UPC ratio would be the same as any other dog. : )

 

Hope that helps!

 

[Guest HersheysMom]

You really only look at a urine creatinine in a "Urine protein/creatinine ratio"... not as a stand alone level. Greyhounds have higher blood levels of creatinine than other dogs but this does not influence urine creatinine levels. Thus a Greyhound UPC ratio would be the same as any other dog. : )

 

Hope that helps!

 

Thanks Bill - that explanation is easier to understand. Basically on it's own, it's of no real significance. Thank goodness at least the urinalysis (including UPC ratio) is the same in greys as in other breeds, or I would really be going nuts!