What does high BUN creatinine ratio mean in dogs?
High values for both BUN and creatinine indicate that the kidneys are not working well and may be in failure.
What can cause a high BUN creatinine ratio?
A high BUN value may be caused by a high-protein diet, Addison’s disease, or tissue damage (such as from severe burns), or from bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract. High BUN-to-creatinine ratios occur with sudden (acute) kidney problems, which may be caused by shock or severe dehydration.
When to test your dog’s bun and creatine levels?
Because various illnesses can affect the BUN and creatinine levels, your veterinarian may recommend testing your pet’s blood if your pet has any of the following signs of illness: Vomiting Appetite loss Lethargy (tiredness) Anemia Increased drinking and/or urination Weight loss Dehydration
What does the BUN / creatinine ratio tell you?
BUN (blood urea nitrogen) and creatinine are two blood tests that can reveal a lot about your metabolism, kidney, liver, and overall health. And while they can be used separately, the BUN/creatinine ratio can help pinpoint important issues. Learn more about the BUN/creatinine ratio and what it can reveal about your health.
How does dehydration affect bun and creatinine levels?
Dehydration increases the blood levels of both BUN and creatinine but increases BUN more than creatinine [ 11 ].
What to do about high bun and low creatinine?
Losing some weight if overweight. Weight loss can improve your kidney health and decrease creatinine levels [ 20 ]. Again, disbalance between BUN and creatinine is often due to a serious medical condition and it is important to address it. Once the condition gets resolved, the BUN/creatinine ratio will go back into the normal range.
What does high bun and creatinine levels in dogs mean?
Image Credit: Jupiterimages/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images High levels of creatinine and BUN (blood urea nitrogen) in dogs is usually a sign of poor health. Most commonly, these levels are associated with the kidneys and can indicate that your dog is experiencing kidney disease or even kidney failure.
What to do if bun and creatinine levels are out of range?
If from a blood test, your veterinarian finds BUN and creatinine levels in your dog that are out of range, he can discuss proper medications that are needed in order to lower the levels.
How often should you do a bun value test on your dog?
If they weren’t, it’s likely your dog’s BUN value of 40 is nothing to worry about. However, re-do the test every few months, especially if you have an older dog since kidney disease is more common in senior animals. Let’s take a look at some commonly performed tests and what they mean.
What does a high bun mean on a blood test?
High values in all represent loss of kidney function; a high BUN also can indicate liver and heart disease as well as dehydration and shock. CREA can help the vet determine if the cause of the elevated BUN is related to the kidney or some other organ.