Have you ever wondered what the blood test information is telling your vet and Candy is looking for her FORever home.

Candy is looking for her FORever home

Our guest blogger is Dr. Wendy Pennington
of Pennington Animal Hospital

So…Your veterinarian has recommended to run blood tests on your cat to screen for illnesses or to make a diagnosis in order to establish a treatment plan for your sweet furry family member. Some tests that would most likely be run are a CBC (Complete Blood Cell count), Diagnostic Chemistries, Electrolytes, Total T4 (Thyroid Screen) and Urinalysis as a minimum data base.

So let’s take a closer look at these tests that your veterinarian is running to determine the health of your cat.

Complete Blood Cell Count (CBC): A CBC checks for red blood cell counts (RBC’s), white blood cells (WBC’s) and platelets. A decrease in red blood cells indicates anemia. An increase in white blood cells would indicate infection or inflammation in your pet. A decrease in white blood cells might indicate stress or a viral infection. A decrease in platelet counts might point to a clotting disorder or tick borne illnesses.

Diagnostic chemistries can include the following depending on the level of testing selected by the veterinarian:

Albumin (ALB) - A protein that is produced by the liver. Reduced levels of this protein can point to chronic liver, kidney, or intestinal disease.

Alkaline phosphatase (ALKP) - An enzyme present in multiple tissues including liver and bone. Elevated levels can indicate liver disease, Cushing’s disease, osteoarthritis, or abnormalities from cortisone/steroid therapy.

Amylase (AMYL) - An enzyme produced by the pancreas. Elevations may indicate pancreatitis.

Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) - Produced by the liver and excreted by the kidneys. Abnormally high levels can indicate kidney disease or dehydration and low levels may be seen in certain liver diseases.

Calcium (Ca) - Increased levels can be seen with diseases of the kidney or parathyroid gland. Elevations can also be an indicator of certain types of tumors.

Cholesterol (CHOL) - Elevated levels of cholesterol are seen with hypothyroidism or liver disease.

Creatinine (CREA): Creatinine is a by-product of muscle metabolism and is excreted by the kidneys. Elevated levels indicate kidney disease.

Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) - Increases in this enzyme may indicate a problem with the liver or gall bladder.

Globulin (GLOB) - A protein that may indicate inflammation.

Glucose (GLU) - High blood glucose levels may indicate stress in cats or diabetes mellitus.

Lipase (LIPA) - Elevated levels may be seen with pancreatitis.

Phosphorus (PHOS) - Elevated levels may be seen with kidney disease.

Total Bilirubin (TBIL) - Bilirubin is a breakdown product of hemoglobin as well as a component of bile. Blood bilirubin levels are useful in indicating liver/gall bladder problems or certain types of anemia.

Total Protein (TP) - The level of total protein can indicate dehydration, inflammation and diseases of the liver, kidney or intestinal tract.

Electrolytes - Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), and Chloride (Cl) are important when evaluating vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, endocrine problems or cardiac problems.

Total T4 (Thyroxine) - This a measurement of the level of thyroid hormone that is circulating in the blood and is helpful in screening for hyperthyroidism in cats.

Urinalysis: Routine screening of the urine often helps identify diseases such as lower urinary tract (bladder) infections, diabetes, and kidney disease.

Pet owners must keep in mind that the above tests are used to screen for potential problems. In some cases, your veterinarian may recommend additional tests to make a definitive diagnosis. Also, an abnormality in a single test may or may not indicate an actual problem. An item such as this may be measured periodically to determine if it is normal for your individual cat or if it is an indication of an early disease process.

Candy came to us from a local shelter. She kept being over looked because she wasn’t as outgoing as the younger pups in her kennel. She is completely deaf, tiny little girl at 9 lbs. She gets along fine with small dogs, doesn’t like the cat at all but would have a hard time catching one. She is a senior girl and sleeps a lot. If you are home a lot and want a nice quiet companion.. Candy is for you. Because she is older she needs to be taken out more frequently but she is also potty pad trained. She sleeps in her crate in the kitchen with the door open. Every once in a while she’ll get up in night and use pee pad. Usually can hold it all night, 7/8 hours of sleep. Loves belly rubs. Candy is just a very sweet senior. We couldn’t leave her to live out the remainder of her life in the shelter.. She is cherished in her foster home but sure would like to meet FORever. And she deserves it. She is fostered in Huntsville, AL.

EmailInfo@FORrescue.net if you think you might be THAT special person. 

If you would like to contribute a story to the FOR blog, please mail the contents along with an image or two to blog@forrescue.net


 At the end of 2014 individuals who submitted content for the FOR blog will be entered in a drawing for a free pet portrait.

Zonder is not without love or hope and needs a very special forever home!

Diana Crawford, FOR volunteer, is our guest blogger today.

I noticed Zonder in the middle of the Crises at Huntsville Animal Services.  He was in a kennel alone, deaf, blind and sick and he reminded me of my Bella. He was one of the sick, one of the very sick in fact.  He was so sick we wondered if he would even make it through the night. I worried all night long about him being left in the shelter and kicked myself for not getting him out that day.  In the mean time, I got approval from the board (they reminded me of risks and probably thought I was crazy), picked out his name and started making arrangements for him to come to my house (secretly.. I didn't have everyone's blessing because we were taking a break from fostering).  I fixed up my dining room as his hospital (i.e. ISOLATION) room.  I knew I needed to keep him separate from my herd of 5.. one of which is a senior.. so extra cautious about what she is exposed to. A volunteer took him from the shelter straight to the vet, where I met them.  He had been given fluids, antibiotics, and nausea medicines before they released him (traveling while sick and blind often causes motion sickness).  He was examined, given more meds, and we were cautioned about contaminating our pets because we really didn't know what illness he had.  He had symptoms that could have been one of many. 

  I took him home, he slept for most of the first 24 hours..I worried.  But he woke up the next morning Ready to take on the world.  I quickly learned that he was crate trained and knew how to let us know he needed to go potty. Within the first 48 hours he had figured out my front steps and could follow me around in the yard.  He was still very snotty, but full of spirit.  Nothing quite like having another one of your senses dulled when you already are without 2 of them. You see, he counts on his nose to SEE.  At the end of the first week, I could tell he was much healthier and his personality was glowing.  He ate up every minute he could get with me.  We would sit in the front yard and play.  Or play follow the leader... I would walk in big circles with him following every step.  I began introducing my dogs to him one at a time, One day at a time. Every time he went out to potty, his dog of the day went with him.  He quickly learned who he could jump at, play with and climb and chew on... and who he couldn't.  His favorite was Bella.. and although he doesn't know it.. he looks like he could be her puppy. She tolerated his puppy antics, let him chew on her ears and paws, and when it got annoying, she would just lay (PRESS) her head on him, so he couldn't chew but he could still be close. 

 During week two I began letting him wander about the house.  He usually chose to follow one of his persons about but sometimes would follow the herd.  One particular night, he apparently got his scents confused and decided to play with grouchy dog.  She pinned him and scared me to death. .. we back tracked a little bit.  But he quickly learned THAT dog was a grouch and to steer clear her.  His other favorite was Jazzy..when he wasn't following Bella and tormenting her, he was following Jazzy.  One day he followed her right out the dog door, into the back yard, followed her in circles, and did his business and then followed her back in the dog door.  A new trend began.  He has since been wandering out thru the dog door alone when he needs to GO.  He runs all over the back yard and when he is ready he comes back in.  He has not had the first accident inside the house or inside his crate. He has also figured out where the water bowls are at, where the furniture is at, which rooms he can go in, and gets around great.  

 We have decided that he sees "something".  We don't know if its shadows, outlines, colors, or what.. But really think he sees something.  He occasionally responds to really loud sounds.. like Grouchy dog when she barks right in his face, he jumps.  But we think he hears very little.  However, his diminished abilities are not diminishing his abilities to love and get around.  I am learning WITH him.  I have never cared for a blind or deaf animal.. and now I have both in the same one.  I'm learning how to teach him commands.. through touch. We are learning different kinds of touch.. a touch on the nose means come to me or with me.. on the rear end it means sit.  A hand on his shoulder/chest area is "settle" or "easy".. And a scratch on the head is LOVE. Yes we all still talk to him, and yes we all still fill dumb because he can't hear what we are saying.  He also knows being sprayed with a water bottle means NO.  He is a special boy with a special heart and special needs... and will need a special home and person.  Though I love him, I can't keep him.  My herd is barely manageable as it is and I wouldn't be able to help anyone else. I KNOW there is another special animal waiting for me to help. They are all special and all unique.  Zonder just has a few extras.  Oh yeah.. Zonder means WITHOUT... he is without sight, without hearing, without a tail... but he is NOT without love or hope.  Zonder will be available soon through FOR.  EmailInfo@FORrescue.net if you think you might be THAT special person. 

If you would like to contribute a story to the FOR blog, please mail the contents along with an image or two to blog@forrescue.net


 At the end of 2014 individuals who submitted content for the FOR blog will be entered in a drawing for a free pet portrait.