Changes in hematological and biochemical blood parameters in cats with azotemia

Acute and chronic forms of renal failure, regardless of the cause of the appearance in cats, cause significant changes in homeostasis. The data estimation of both clinical and laboratory studies of biological fluid samples from the animals makes it possible to detect abnormal changes. Difficulties in the establishing of the final diagnosis may be related to the interpretation of the results of blood counts. Classical changes in the blood are not always detected due to the individual characteristics of compensatory reactions in individual animals. The hemoglobin concentration, erythrocyte count, and hematocrit level were decreased in azotemia-affected animals in compare with non-azotemic. Inversely, the glucose content was increased in azotemia-affected group in compare with non-azotemic. A positive correlation with the values of creatinine in azotemia, has urea r=+0.734, inorganic phosphorus r=+0.727, total cholesterol r=+0.641, ALT activity r=+0.725, AST activity r=+0.57, erythrocytes r=+0.554, and negative hemoglobin r=–0.73, hematocrit r=–0.68. Disorders of diuresis are accompanied by changes in parameters in some sick cats. 63% of animals have decreased levels of calcium and total cholesterol, whereas 38% have increased levels of inorganic phosphorus. These changes become more pronounced as azotemia increases. The frequency of hyperglycemia, decreased hematocrit, hypohemoglobinemia, and erythropenia increases, and the frequency of thrombocytopenia remains at 63% of animals regardless of the presence of azotemia. Half of the animals had changes in the protein composition of the blood, but the same number of cats had normal blood leukocyte levels, leukocytosis, and leukopenia.