Clin Path

Question 1

specify which analytes on a serum/plasma/blood biocehmical profile best assess the patient’s glomerular filtration rate

Answer 1

BUN, creatinine, SDMA

Question 2

identify any additional analytes on a serum/plasma/blood biochemical profile that are affected by the glomerular filtration rate

Answer 2

albumin could increase if glomerular filtration barrier is compromised

Question 3

predict how BUN, creatinine, and SDMA would change if GFR was decreased

Answer 3

all would increase

Question 4

identify analytes on a serum/plasma blood biochemical profile that are affected by renal tubule function (8)

Answer 4

1. NaCl
2. potassium
3. bicarbonate
4. calcium
5. magnesium
6. phosphorous
7. albumin
8. glucose

Question 5

explain the origin and factors that affect serum/plasma/blood concentrations of the 3 main markers of GFR used in clinical practice (BUN, creatinine, SDMA)

Answer 5

BUN: made in liver; increase could indicate decreased urinary excretion OR increased protein digestion/catabolism; also rumen can recycle and horses lose through gut so not great marker

creatinine: endogenous waste product of muscle metabolism; increase could indicate decreased urinary excretion or very muscular animals

SDMA: more sensitive reflection; from all methylated cells but should be combined with creatinine to stage chronic kidney disease

Question 6

correlate the USG to tubular concentration or dilution of GFR

Answer 6

hypersthenuria/adequately concentrated urine: tubules are concentrating urine, yay!

isosthenuria: urine osmolality = plasma osmolality… are the kidneys working??

hyposthenuria: diluted urine; tubules are diluting, not concentrating but hey at least they’re working

Question 7

predict USG ranges in healthy animals subjected to water shortage or abundance

Answer 7

adequate:
cats: greater than or equal to 1.035
dogs: greater than or equal to 1.030
horses and cattle: greater than or equal to 1.020

isosthenuria: 1.008-1.012
hyposthenuria: less than or equal to 1.007

Question 8

describe parts of a complete urinalysis and how each of its components reflect the function of the healthy urinary tract

Answer 8

macroscopic: done before centrifuge
color: light yellow (straw)
clarity: transparent
plus dipstick and USG

microscopic: sediment examination

Question 9

identify the urine dipstick results expected for health mammals

Answer 9

pH:
dogs and cats: 6-7.5
horses and cows: 7.5-8.5
protein: up to trace (should not be much if any)
glucose: none
blood (heme): none
ketones: none
bilirubin: up to 1+ is common in male dogs

Question 10

identify the different crystals and cells that can be found in the urine of healthy animals

Answer 10

1. struvite
2. calcium carbonate
3. bilirubin
4. calcium oxalate dihydrate