Kindey Enzymes

Question 1

What are the functions of the kidney? (3)

Answer 1

1. Eliminates metabolic wastes
2. maintains normal hemostasis
   - regulates electrolytes
   - essential organic molecule levels
3. Produces important hormones - erythropoietin

Question 2

Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)

What does it test for and what could cause a false positive?) (3

Answer 2

1. urea is a metabolic waste that results from amino acid breakdown
2. freely filtered at the glomerulus
3. false positives may be occur if animal ingests a high protein meal prior to test

Question 3

Creatinine

What is it and what does it do?) (2

Answer 3

1. a nitrogen-containing molecule released from muscle at a constant rate
2. freely filtered out by kidneys at a constant rate

Question 4

What do increased Creatinine levels tell us?

Answer 4

increased levels are due to the same problems that lead to increased BUN

Question 5

What do increased BUN levels tell us? (3)

Answer 5

increased BUN (azotemia) may be due to

• Prerenal Abnormalities
• Renal Abnormalities
• Postrenal Abnormalities