BLOOD UREA NITROGEN (BUN)
Oct 15, 2009 5:18:01 GMT 10
Post by Tom Meulman on Oct 15, 2009 5:18:01 GMT 10
BLOOD UREA NITROGEN (BUN)
Urea is produced in the liver from Ammonia and Amino Acids in the blood.
After entering the circulation from the liver urea is filtered through the kidneys, where it plays an important part in the fluid re-absorption ability of the kidneys, and is then excreted in the urine.
Low Blood Urea Nitrogen
Low BUN can occur because of decreased production or increased excretion.
Decreased production is most commonly associated with chronic liver damage or long term consumption of a diet severely restricted in protein.
Kidney disease, diabetes insipidus and some types of nephritis may cause increased excretion. However, increased excretion causing a low BUN is often seen in greyhounds with significant Polyuria.
Polyuria is the increased production of urine, generally urine of low specific gravity.
In some cases this is bought on by Polydipsia (increased thirst) triggered by severe intracellular dehydration. This in turn may be caused by severe stress, due to a hard run by an unfit greyhound, or one suffering from a bacterial or viral infection.
However, some instances of Polyuria are in fact inflicted by the overuse of diuretic alkalising agents, the indiscriminate use of anti-inflammatory injections in injury treatments, or the use of Glucocorticoid injections, in the belief, that they may improve the greyhound’s performance.
It must be said however, because greyhounds are generally on a high protein diet, normal or slightly lower BUN levels, may not give a true indication of the severity of problems relating to possible kidney disease, resulting in the Polyuria / Polydipsia syndrome, and a varying degree of dehydration.
Increased Blood Urea Nitrogen
An increased BUN may occur due to increased urea production by the liver, the intestinal tract, an excessively high protein diet, or a combination of any three.
However, decreased excretion of urea by the kidneys, is the most common cause of an increased BUN, and may be due to partial kidney failure, urinary tract obstruction, and or urinary tract infection.
It is generally believed that urea is relatively non-toxic, but other wastes that accompany increased BUN may cause toxicity and dehydration.
The method most used to treat the symptoms of an increased BUN is intravenous fluid therapy. However a urine specimen obtained prior to treatment, should be submitted for a complete urine analysis, including sediment examination.
Specific treatment of the underlying cause should be started as soon as possible.
Urea is produced in the liver from Ammonia and Amino Acids in the blood.
After entering the circulation from the liver urea is filtered through the kidneys, where it plays an important part in the fluid re-absorption ability of the kidneys, and is then excreted in the urine.
Low Blood Urea Nitrogen
Low BUN can occur because of decreased production or increased excretion.
Decreased production is most commonly associated with chronic liver damage or long term consumption of a diet severely restricted in protein.
Kidney disease, diabetes insipidus and some types of nephritis may cause increased excretion. However, increased excretion causing a low BUN is often seen in greyhounds with significant Polyuria.
Polyuria is the increased production of urine, generally urine of low specific gravity.
In some cases this is bought on by Polydipsia (increased thirst) triggered by severe intracellular dehydration. This in turn may be caused by severe stress, due to a hard run by an unfit greyhound, or one suffering from a bacterial or viral infection.
However, some instances of Polyuria are in fact inflicted by the overuse of diuretic alkalising agents, the indiscriminate use of anti-inflammatory injections in injury treatments, or the use of Glucocorticoid injections, in the belief, that they may improve the greyhound’s performance.
It must be said however, because greyhounds are generally on a high protein diet, normal or slightly lower BUN levels, may not give a true indication of the severity of problems relating to possible kidney disease, resulting in the Polyuria / Polydipsia syndrome, and a varying degree of dehydration.
Increased Blood Urea Nitrogen
An increased BUN may occur due to increased urea production by the liver, the intestinal tract, an excessively high protein diet, or a combination of any three.
However, decreased excretion of urea by the kidneys, is the most common cause of an increased BUN, and may be due to partial kidney failure, urinary tract obstruction, and or urinary tract infection.
It is generally believed that urea is relatively non-toxic, but other wastes that accompany increased BUN may cause toxicity and dehydration.
The method most used to treat the symptoms of an increased BUN is intravenous fluid therapy. However a urine specimen obtained prior to treatment, should be submitted for a complete urine analysis, including sediment examination.
Specific treatment of the underlying cause should be started as soon as possible.