ASK THE VET (glucose and protein, two values included in the chemistry profile)
by Linda Pesek, DVM
Westbury Animal Hospital
319 Union Avenue
Westbury, NY
516-333-1123
This article first appeared in the November 1993 issue of SQUAWK, and appears here with their permission and the permission of the author. This article is one in a continuing series which describes diagnostic tests performed by the avian vet.
In my last column I discussed the importance of a complete blood count (CBC) in the avian patient. In addition to including information about erythrocytes (red blood cells) and leukocytes (white blood cells), the CBC may include a thrombocyte or platelet count. Thrombocytes are produced in the bone marrow just as erythrocytes and leukocytes. They function in coagulation or blood clotting. The normal thrombocyte count in most birds is from 20,000 to 30,000 per millilitre of blood. Certain diseases can decrease or increase the platelet count.
The second part of an avian profile is a blood chemistry profile. In this column I'll begin by discussing glucose and protein, two values included in the chemistry profile.
Glucose:
Birds have a much higher glucose level than any mammalian species. A normal bird may have glucose in the range of 200-500 milligrams per decalitre.
Hyperglycemia, or glucose levels consistently over 500, is abnormal.
Hyperglycemia can occur as the result of stress, cortisone administration, hyperthermia (elevated body temperature) and diabetes mellitus. Stress can transiently elevate blood glucose, while diabetes often produces glucose levels over 700 milligrams per decalitre.
Hypoglycemia, or very low blood sugar (150 milligrams per decalitre) can be the result of starvation, malnutrition, liver disease, bacterial infection, and endocrinopathologies (hormonal problems). Small birds can become hypoglycemic within 24 hours with starvation, whereas larger birds may maintain normal glucose level for two to three days. If the blood sugar becomes too low, hypoglycemic convulsions and death may occur. (Note: the clinical signs of diabetes and liver disease include increased thirst, increased urination, increased appetite, and progressive weight loss).
Protein:
Most healthy birds have a protein value between 3 -6 grams per decalitre. The two most important protein fractions are albumen and globulin. Albumin is the largest protein fraction in avian serum.
Hypoproteinemia, or low protein, occurs when the total protein level falls below 2.5 grams per decalitre. It is often the result of hypoalbuminemia. It can occur as the result of chronic disease (especially liver and kidney), malnutrition, malabsorption, chronic blood loss, stress, and starvation. Very low total protein values less than 2.5 grams per decalitre) indicate a very serious condition and warrants a very guarded prognosis.
Hyperproteinemia, or elevated protein, occurs when the protein is greater than 6 grams per decalitre. This may occur with dehydration, shock, inflamation, trauma, or infection. Hyperproteinemia may be associated with an increase in the globulin protein fraction. Chronic disease such as tuberculosis, aspergillosis, psittacosis and bacterial infections may elevate the globulin fraction.
The veterinarian is able to monitor an avian patients's response to treatment by monitoring changes in the protein levels that may occur.
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