8/22 Stu PMPS 342, need help with bloodwork

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Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA)

Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA)

Member Since 2010
yesterday: viewtopic.php?p=228813#p228813

Hi Everyone,

I am so frustrated! I just got finished writing a long post about the bloodwork Stu is getting on Wednesday because I need advice, and my connection to the board timed out!! Lost it all!! (and, of course, since I am not familiar with the medical abbreviations, it will be a chore to reconstruct). Well, here goes!

Hypurrcat (Dr. Peterson's facility for the I-131 treatment for hyperthyroidism) has done a preliminary analysis of Stu's previous bloodwork (from 2 weeks ago) and says that Stu's next round of bloodwork will be a good determinant with regard to whether or not he will be a viable candidate for I-131. They said to get the following: "Vet-Screen, CBC, T4, complete renal values". I have checked the ANTECH website and found out that their Geriatric Senior Profile (test #5013) consists of the following: "Vet-Screen, CBC, T4, UA". The Vet-Screen has the following components: Albumin, Alk Phos, ALT, BUN, Calcium, Chloride, Cholesterol, CPK, Creatinine, Globulin, Glucose, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Total Bilirubin, Total Protein. A separate "Renal Profile" (test #SA310) has the following: Albumin, BUN, Calcium, Creatinine, Globulin, Phosphorus, Potassium, Total Protein, CBC, urinalysis. These two tests seem to have a lot of duplications. Would the Renal Profile contribute more data because it is more urine-specific? Also, I don't see that either of the screenings includes the USG (urine-specific gravity) test.
Stu's vet is reluctant to get a urine sample during the office visit. He says that Stu's bladder might be empty and that I should get a sample at home. I know that this will not be sterile. Is it important to have a sterile sample for a proper "renal profile", or is a sterile sample only required for a C & S (culture and specificity)?? I don't want to compromise a test that might be crucial in determining Stu's candidacy for the I-131.
I would be grateful if WCF, Cassandra, Linda, Sienne, et al. would take a look at the above and tell me if anything is missing. My vet did all of his analysis of Stu's last bloodwork "in house" with the exception of the T4, Free T4, and Cortisol, Resting, which he sent to ANTECH. I would like him to send everything to ANTECH this time. Does anyone know if "Vet-Screen" is ANTECH's proprietary name for that test? If so, I can simply tell the vet that Hypurrcat requested the ANTECH "Vet-Screen". I need to be a bit delicate in dealing with Stu's vet. He's the only one in our town and I think he is a good one, but I know very little about such things!
Many thanks in advance,

Ella

p.s. whole-cat report will follow later!!
 
Re: 8/22 Stu AMPS 295. +2.5 233, need help with bloodwork

I'd cross post this on Health just so you can get some of the vet techs or others who are familiar with this process to chime in.

I think you should check with Dr. Peterson about whether a sterile urine sample is needed. If your vet is still reluctant, you may need to print your your e-mail and/or get Dr. Peterson to e-mail or fax a request for the labs you need directly to your vet.

In many cases, when a "panel" is done, the lab tests are grouped because they are inter-related, often asked for as a group, or easy to run with a sample. I'd check with your vet (or even call Antech) but my guess is to ungroup the tests and have then ordered individually could end up costing your considerably more. So while there may be duplication, it will end up costing less because the tests are bundled and the lab equipment is set up to do all of the tests in the bundle. Something like a renal panel is set up so that if you need to follow just kidney issues, you don't have to run a broader spectrum of tests. It's specific to the issue you're dealing with and can be repeated as needed.

Hopefully, one of the vet techs can tell you more about Antech and respond to your question. One strategy for dealing with your vet is to let him know that it's Dr. Peterson who requested the tests and they are more familiar with the ranges that Antech uses. Alternatively, if this is delicate, you can check with Dr. Peterson and ask if using the in-house values that your vet can provide is acceptable. I would think as long as the ranges for the values are provided, it should not be a problem. You may be getting what amounts to a "form" e-mail asking for these labs and it's just easy for the Hypurrcat folks to use the terminology they are familiar with. I'm sure they are used to dealing with prickly colleagues who may feel like a specialist is possibly stepping on their toes.
 
Re: 8/22 Stu AMPS 295. +2.5 233, need help with bloodwork

Hi Sienne, Thank you for this great advice. Dr. Peterson's office called me on the phone and told me which tests they wanted, so I will be sure to tell my vet that fact! Tomorrow (Monday) I'll e mail them about the other matters so that I will have their e-mail reply to show to Stu's vet, if needed.

Much appreciate your help,

Ella
 
Re: 8/22 Stu AMPS 295. +2.5 233, need help with bloodwork

wow - Ella - so sorry on the post. how frustrating!

I don't know if this will help or not - but bottom line - I agree with what Sienne stated. My vet uses Antech Diagnostics for their blood work. The categories that we ran last time, which was requested as a full blood panel, had the breakdowns of CBC, Superchem, T4, and also urinalysis. With my print out the "superchem" was they same as the tests you list for "Vet Screen". Good luck!

Have a good day today - and fret not. It will all be OK, I am certain your vet will be more than cooperative once he knows what is needed, and why.

And good start for Stu today - he's yellow, Mannie is pink. Come on guys - blue floor soon, OK? uhhh.... maybe green too!
 
Re: 8/22 Stu AMPS 295. +2.5 233, need help with bloodwork

Thanks, Michelle. I have looked at your link to Mannie's tests (a few days ago) and am happy to see that your vet used Antech.

Guess what? Stu made blue (147 at +4.75)!!! Tell Mannie to come to the blue beach!!

Ella
 
Re: 8/22 Stu AMPS 295. +2.5 233, need help with bloodwork

Nice job Stu! Guess I had better go find Mannie and tell him to get with the program... :lol:

And good on the lab stuff. It's all a huge foreign language to me. I need to learn, but omg - so overwhelming.
 
Re: 8/22 Stu AMPS 295. +2.5 233, need help with bloodwork

Ella & Stu said:
Hypurrcat (Dr. Peterson's facility for the I-131 treatment for hyperthyroidism) has done a preliminary analysis of Stu's previous bloodwork (from 2 weeks ago) and says that Stu's next round of bloodwork will be a good determinant with regard to whether or not he will be a viable candidate for I-131. They said to get the following: "Vet-Screen, CBC, T4, complete renal values". I have checked the ANTECH website and found out that their Geriatric Senior Profile (test #5013) consists of the following: "Vet-Screen, CBC, T4, UA". The Vet-Screen has the following components: Albumin, Alk Phos, ALT, BUN, Calcium, Chloride, Cholesterol, CPK, Creatinine, Globulin, Glucose, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Total Bilirubin, Total Protein.

A separate "Renal Profile" (test #SA310) has the following: Albumin, BUN, Calcium, Creatinine, Globulin, Phosphorus, Potassium, Total Protein, CBC, urinalysis. These two tests seem to have a lot of duplications. Would the Renal Profile contribute more data because it is more urine-specific? Also, I don't see that either of the screenings includes the USG (urine-specific gravity) test.

Stu's vet is reluctant to get a urine sample during the office visit. He says that Stu's bladder might be empty and that I should get a sample at home. I know that this will not be sterile. Is it important to have a sterile sample for a proper "renal profile", or is a sterile sample only required for a C & S (culture and specificity)??
Click to expand...

It appears to me that the Geriatric Senior Profile (test #5013) covers EVERYTHNG the "Renal Profile" (test #SA310) does, and more. I think it would be redundant to do both.

The USG is measured in the urine (specifically the urinalysis), not the blood. It is best to have a fresh, sterile sample by cystocentesis for a UA, but a clean, fresh catch would do as well. As Sienna suggested, check with Dr. P's office whether they need a sterile sample test. (You are right that a sterile sample MUST be used for a C&S.)

There is a wikia article on laboratory tests.
 
Re: 8/22 Stu AMPS 295. +2.5 233, need help with bloodwork

Hi Venita, Thanks so much. And also for the wiki link! Hope all is well with you and your kitties.

Ella
 
Re: 8/22 Stu AMPS 295. +2.5 233, need help with bloodwork

What Sienne said about bundling is true at my clinic also. I found that out, when I asked to not have Glucose done, as I felt it wouldn't be a true number at the clinic, and I had just tested at home.
Doc explained, it was part of the group and would cost more to individualize it.

deleted a portion of my response. I noticed that your test contained more components than the one I referred to, at my clinic, so it was easier to delete than rewrite it. :roll:
 
Re: 8/22 Stu AMPS 295. +2.5 233, need help with bloodwork

Nice blue now Stu...good luck with all of this Ella...so glad people have all these good ideas and info for you...
 
Re: 8/22 Stu AMPS 295. +2.5 233, need help with bloodwork

All I can offer is my support for you my friend & we know Stu is doing fine & will be well!!
He's blue now!! Come on Stu, Moonie wants to go surfin!!
Big Hugs & wrapping Stu in Healing Protective Light--!! dancing_cat :YMHUG: dancing_cat :YMHUG:

Stu man, how ya doing?? My bean is always watching me, but I fool her & stare at her & freak her out--I like studying these beans, they have better paws than us, and better food @-) @-) @-) --I'm getting my beans to share!! :lol: :lol: :lol: '
Meet you later for a surf!! Party for Spot?? Whoo Hoo!! HUgs- Moonie
 
Re: 8/22 Stu AMPS 295. +2.5 233, need help with bloodwork

Hi again, Time for the WCR!
Here are the numbers for today, thus far (don't have room in my subject line at the moment)

AMPS 295
+2.5 233
+4.75 147
+6 164
+9.5 303!! (where did that come from: must have been the 5% Cowboy Cookout. Stu might be carb sensitive)
PMPS 342
+4.5 307

We have rain and a flood watch through tomorrow. 5+ inches are expected. We need rain, but . . .
Stu ate everything in his automat last night and had three installments of breakfast--Wellness Chicken--which he liked a lot. In between breakfasts he ventured out into the rain and made a beeline to the car so that he could sit under it and "watch". Just like a city cat!!! At lunch I opened a can of Merrick Cowboy Cookout. Such enthusiasm, such meowing, before it was even in his dish! I guess he likes it! Good litterbox activity (too good!!). Now, just after lunch and another rush through the raindrops to go under the car, he has decided to come in and is relaxing in the camp chair on my cure porch.

Ella

Hey kitties, anyone want to surf blue?

Blue Stu
 
Re: 8/22 Stu AMPS 295. +2.5 233, need help with bloodwork

Hey, Stu
Tess wants to surf today, but it will be green. Surfed blue last night. Any one else going?

Thanks Ella, for looking in on Tess. . .John
 
Re: 8/22 Stu AMPS 295. +2.5 233, need help with bloodwork

I'm in ! I'm in!! let's go See you guys there! ~~ Mannie

Nice day for Stu! Bummer on the rain, and the flood watch. That is an awful lot of rain to fall in a day. Sounds like an indoor day to me. Mannie has a wood pile that he goes to - under the eaves. Silly kitties - it's wet out there!
 
Re: 8/22 Stu AMPS 295. +2.5 233, need help with bloodwork

I hope you don't have a flood, Ella. Five inches! That's a lot. When it rained a half inch here last week, all of the street intersections in town were flooded. We're not used to rain. :mrgreen:

I'm glad to see Stu doing so well. He sure seems to be feeling good.
 
Re: 8/22 Stu AMPS 295. +2.5 233, need help with bloodwork

Nice to see Stu is felling well hope he surfs the night away
 
Re: 8/22 Stu AMPS 295. +2.5 233, need help with bloodwork

Ella, I'm no help with the BW, but you're getting good advice, I'm sure. I'm glad Stu is feeling so good and surfing blue, Tinkles is blue too. :smile: It's raining here too, it's been pretty much pouring all day here. Thank goodness we're not in a flood prone area, I hope you don't have any flooding to deal with!
 
So nice to see Stu doing well today!

Hey, Stu, did you find the prezzie I left for you and Mannie under your grill cover??? I hope you enjoy it man...that's a very special sack of spices for my bestest of friends in Lantus Land. Thanks for stopping by and wishing me well...I'll miss you, but I'll be back to party with you all........hugs and high fives............Spot
 
Stu - did you read that?!?!?!?!? Spotty left us Spices. SPICES MAN! How cool is that!! Spot - we luvs you, and want you to come visit us often. OK? :sad: I am so happy you are going to the falls, but makes me and Stu sad too - we will miss you!!! right Stu? Lots of high fives! and now to the serious stuff, the other serious stuff - your bean says you have gone pink again... and are using bungees :shock: and are aiming for the moon :o . dude - no way the weather is so bad - you wont make it... - OK? Come on down to my floor instead - it's much better. See you!! ~ Mannie
 
Hey Spotty, Thanks, man, for the special sack of spices. We'll put them to good work. Don't forget the Full Green Corn Moon party on Tuesday. We're counting on you! You are one great guy and you'll love resuming your life at the Falls. But we want you at ALL of our parties!!! Mannie and I can't grill properly without you being there with the spices.

Your pal,
Stu
 
Have a good night Ella-Hope you all are safe from the rain & water!
Hugs from us--Rain go away--just enough needed to replenish the earth!
 
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