Electrolytes: 
  Cl- (chloride) - maintains water distribution in the body and helps stomach digestion by forming hydrochloric acid.
High: dehydration, Addison’s disease, kidney disease
Low: loss during vomiting and/or diarrhea

  K+ (potassium) - important in the function of muscular and cardiac tissues

High: cardiac arrhythmias, kidney disease, Addison’s disease, kidney obstruction, dehydration
Low: possible cancer, insulin overdose, Cushing’s disease, vomiting and/or diarrhea, starvation, overuse of diuretics

  Na+ (sodium) - plays an important role in water distribution throughout the body
High: Cushing’s disease, dehydration, diabetes
Low: kidney disease, Addison’s disease, vomiting and/or diarrhea, hypothyroidism

Chemistry Profiles:

  ALB (albumin) - produced by the liver and is the major binding and transport protein in blood
High: dehydration
Low: liver disease, kidney disease, blood loss, gastrointestinal disease

  ALKP (alkaline phosphatase) - present in several tissues such as bone, cartilage, intestine, placenta, and liver

High: active bone growth in young animals or healing bones, liver abnormalities, use of phenobarbitol or steroids, Cushing’s disease, fatty deposits in the liver
Low: malnutrition

  ALT (alanine aminotransferase) - a liver-specific enzyme in dogs, cats, and primates

High: can indicate liver cell damage, Cushing’s disease, toxic exposure
Low: malnutrition

  AMYL (amylase) - primarily produced in the pancreas, but also in the salivary glands and small intestine. Main function is to break down sugars and starches.

High: pancreatitis, kidney disease, obstruction of the intestines or pancreatic ducts
Low: malnutrition

  AST (aspartate aminotransferase) - present in liver cells, red blood cells, muscles, kidneys, and pancreas
High: released when the liver is severely damage, strenuous exercise, muscle inflammation, toxic exposure, arthritis
Low: malnutrition 

  Bile Acids - produced by the liver and stored in the gall bladder until ready for use in fat absorption and to regulate cholesterol
High: liver disease, bile duct obstruction, blood flow abnormalities to the liver
Low: malabsorption in the intestines

  BUN (blood urea nitrogen) - the end product of amino acid breakdown
High: kidney disease, dehydration, after strenuous exercise, high-protein diet, urinary obstruction, shock, heart disease
Low: starvation, liver disease 

  CA+ (calcium) - 99% is found in bones, while the other 1% plays vital roles in the body. It is responsible for maintaining muscular tone, maintains enzyme activity, and facilitates blood coagulation.

High: certain cancers, excess vitamin D, Addison’s disease, kidney disease, parathyroid disease, certain toxicities
Low: certain parathyroid diseases, insufficient vitamin D, unbalanced diet, Cushing’s disease 

  CHOL (cholesterol) - produced in the liver and ingested from food
High: associated with hypothyroidism, very high fat diets, diabetes, breed specific to Schnauzers
Low: kidney disease, poor nutrition, liver insufficiency, intestinal disease
  CK (creatine kinase) - created mainly in muscle and some in the brain
High: when muscle is destroyed or damaged, after seizures, strenuous exercise, surgery
Low: not a significant finding

  Cortisol - a major hormone that is a natural steroid in the endocrine system, produced by the pituitary and adrenal glands

High: Cushing’s disease, certain medications, stress
Low: Addison’s disease 

  CREA (creatinine) - part of muscle metabolism. It is filtered through the kidneys and eliminated in urine
High: kidney disease, dehydration, urinary obstruction, shock, toxic exposure
Low: starvation, liver disease 

  GGT (gamma glutamyl transferase) - found in several tissues such as mammary, renal, bilary; and primarily liver

High: liver disease, pancreatitis, bile duct obstruction
Low: malnutrition 

  GLOB (globulin) - a complex group of proteins produced in the liver. Responsible for transport, binding, and immunity

High: chronic infection, inflammation, and may indicate a viral disease
Low: immune deficiencies, blood loss, gastrointestinal disease 

  GLU (glucose) - the end product of carbohydrate metabolism and is a source of energy for the body.
High: diabetes, Cushing’s disease, stress, pancreatitis, certain medications
Low: liver disease, hypothyroidism, Addison’s disease 

  HCT (hematocrit) as known as PCV (packed cell volume) - the percentage of red blood cells in plasma

High: dehydration, kidney disease
Low: anemia, toxic exposure 

  HGB (hemoglobin) - the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen

High: diseases that involve increased production of red blood cells, dehydration
Low: anemia, parasitic disease 

  LIPA (lipase) - an enzyme of the pancreas that functions in the breakdown of fats

High: progressive or chronic pancreatitis, renal and liver dysfunction, administration of steroids
Low: unclear 

  MCH (mean corpuscular hemoglobin) - the average weight of hemoglobin contained in red blood cells

High: suggests the presence of red blood cell destruction (hemolysis)
Low: decreased concentration of hemoglobin which can be related to anemia, chronic blood loss, and iron deficiency 

  MCHC (mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration) - the concentration of hemoglobin in the average red blood cell

High: red blood cell destruction (hemolysis)
Low: anemia, chronic blood loss, iron deficiency 

  MCV (mean corpuscular volume) - the average size of a red blood cell

High: indicates the release of large, young red blood cells which can be a sign of anemia
Low: indicated the presence of small red blood cells which can be associated with chronic iron deficiency or blood loss 

  PHOS (phosphorus) - important in metabolism
High: kidney disease, increased release when tissues are damaged, can be normally increased in growing puppies/kittens, unbalanced diet
Low: unbalanced diet, insulin overdose, diabetes, parathyroid disease

  PLT (platelets) - function to help minimize blood loss by adhering to an injured area and beginning the clotting process
High: could indicate an artifact from the blood sample
Low: bone marrow failure, infection, immune-mediated disease, increased usage from injury or inflammation 

  RBC (red blood cell) - created in bone marrow and functions to carry oxygen in the body
High: diseases that involve increased production of red blood cells, dehydration
Low: anemia, parasitic disease, kidney failure, some cancers 

  RETIC (reticulocytes) - immature red blood cells
High: an increased demand for red blood cells; regenerative anemia
Low: indicates that the body is unable to respond to the need of red blood cells; non-regenerative anemia

  T4 (thyroxine) - a hormone released from the thyroid gland that affects metabolism; it also has a secondary affect on blood pressure
High: hyperthyroidism (cats)
Low: hypothyroidism (dogs) 

  TBIL (total bilirubin) - a component of bile
High: liver disease, certain types of anemia, gall bladder and bile duct obstruction, jaundice, red blood cell destruction
Low: insignificant finding 

  TP (total protein) - affected by the animal’s hydration status and liver function
High: dehydration, inflammation
Low: kidney and gastrointestinal loss, liver disease, blood loss

  TRIG (triglycerides) - releases fatty acids and also stores fat
High: hypothyroidism, Cushing’s disease, diabetes, pancreatitis, breed specific to Schnauzers
Low: malnutrition 

  WBC (white blood cells) - the body’s main defense system,
High: leukemia, stress, inflammation, excitement, infection
Low: bone marrow failure or inflammation, viral infection 

Listed below are the several different types of WBC’s that serve a specific function:

  NEU (neutrophils) - increased due to inflammation or infection, decreased due to viral disease or stress 

  LYM (lymphocytes) - occasionally associated with chronic infection, but mostly related to stress

  MONO (monocytes) - associated with the inflammatory response of tissue repair 

  EOS (eosinophils) - associated with the inflammatory response to allergies, and parasitic disease