Since I’m currently unable to check on Delbo daily, I decided to have a blood test done to determine if there are any indications of illness. Fortunately, the blood test results came back mostly positive. However, it did reveal that he is quite dehydrated, and there might be an underlying infection.
Today, we administered deworming tablets to Delbo, and he’s scheduled to receive Bravecto tomorrow to protect against fleas and ticks. I plan to give him a second dose of the deworming medication in two weeks to ensure any persistent parasites are addressed.
Delbo’s appetite has been poor, which could potentially be attributed to his dehydration or a possible infection. While his blood values don’t strongly suggest a blood parasite—which is reassuring—they are still somewhat inconsistent. We are currently working to identify the cause of his symptoms and ensure he receives the necessary care.
Stay tuned for updates on Delbo’s health journey as we try to pinpoint the problem and get him back to his happy, healthy self.
Here are the blood results:
ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase) – 23 U/L
Normal Range: 10-118 U/L
What It Means: ALT is an enzyme that helps process proteins in the liver. The level in Delbo’s blood is within the normal range, which suggests his liver is functioning well.
BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen) – 13 mg/dL
Normal Range: 7-25 mg/dL
What It Means: BUN is a waste product from the breakdown of protein that the kidneys filter out of the blood. Delbo’s BUN level is normal, indicating his kidneys are doing a good job at filtering waste.
CRE (Creatinine) – 1.3 mg/dL
Normal Range: 0.3-1.4 mg/dL
What It Means: Creatinine is another waste product, mainly from muscle metabolism, that the kidneys filter. The normal level means Delbo’s kidneys are healthy.
GLU (Glucose) – 100 mg/dL
Normal Range: 60-110 mg/dL
What It Means: Glucose is blood sugar, and having it within the normal range is crucial. It means Delbo’s body is managing its energy well.
TP (Total Protein) – 7.3 g/dL
Normal Range: 5.4-8.2 g/dL
What It Means: This test measures the total amount of protein in the blood. Proteins are essential for many body functions, including healing and fighting infections. Delbo’s protein levels are in a healthy range.
HEM (Hemolysis) – 1+
What It Means: This indicates some red blood cells were broken during the test. It’s a common occurrence and usually doesn’t impact the test’s accuracy.
Complete Blood Count:
RBC (Red Blood Cells) – 8.73 x 10^12/L
Normal Range: 5.50-8.50 x 10^12/L
What It Means: A slight elevation in RBCs could suggest dehydration, as there’s less fluid in the blood, making it more concentrated.
WBC (White Blood Cells) – 16.73 x 10^9/L
Normal Range: 6.00-17.00 x 10^9/L
What It Means: White blood cells fight infection. Delbo’s count is on the high end of normal, which might indicate his body is fighting an infection or inflammation.
Eosinophils – Elevated
What It Means: These are a type of white blood cell that increase with allergies or parasitic infections. The elevation aligns with Delbo’s history and symptoms of possible infection.
Summary:
Delbo’s tests mostly show normal functioning of his liver, kidneys, and good blood sugar management. However, signs of dehydration and possible infection are present, as seen with the elevated red blood cell count and high-normal white blood cells. The increase in eosinophils suggests he might be battling an infection or has an allergic reaction, possibly due to parasites.
Understanding these basics can help us grasp what Delbo’s body is currently dealing with and how the treatments given (like deworming) are aimed at tackling these issues.