Lab results

[StarryEyedGirl]

I am kind of nervous because Harleys blood work came back and his protein was on the low end of normal. Vet suggested I feed him a pellet diet. Which of course I have bees feeding him pellets since we got him. So I ask for a copy of the lab report and I see his potassium and chloride are high. Not overly high. But just slightly. I'm not sure if I'm just being a paranoid farent, but the vet didn't even mention the potassium levels or chloride levels. So should I be worried? What can happen to him? He's happy and everything else is healthy I'm regards to him.

 

[JerseyWendy]

What were the levels? Here's a comprehensive explanation on CBC http://nilesanimalhospital.com/files/2012/05/Understanding-Avian-Laboratory-Tests.pdf

 

[StarryEyedGirl]

4.8 Potassium
115 Chloride

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

@JerseyWendy

THANK YOU for that excellent link! Skittles hasn't had bloodwork since his first visit (five years ago) but I'm gonna have bloodwork done this year, just as a precaution.

I could not understand the lab results from his last test and all the vet told me was not to worry, everything was fine. Same thing people docs say.

It'd be nice if doctors would go over the lab results, especially for fids. Bloodwork on fids isn't cheap, I think we at least deserve an explanation of the results.

@StarryEyedGirl

What pellets do you feed him? Check the bag, for the 'guaranteed analysis'. Most will tell you the crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber.

I on occasion give Skittles little pieces of chicken (non-fried) if the chicken is Perdue.

 

[Birdman666]

Did he eat banana right before the test?! That will potentially throw the potassium levels off...

 

[StarryEyedGirl]

He Hates bananas

 

[StarryEyedGirl]

Skittys_Daddy, I feel Harley the Kaytee optimal pellets. He occasionally gets seed. He has some Millet. But his breakfast is apples, grapes, strawberries, blueberries and raspberries. Snacks are usually broccoli, baby carrots, cheese(the vet said a little cheese is okay) and when he's in the mood, cantaloupe.

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

LOL. Skittles HATES bananas too! LOL.

His favorites are grapes, apples and strawberries. He also likes broccoli and cantaloupe. He loves bread and pasta. I only feed him bread as a treat on a rare occasion (because of the yeast).

I'm not familiar with the Kaytee pellets, but I do know that is a good brand.

I was just looking at that link JerseyWendy provided. In it, it says that CPK levels should be between 100-300. Skittles CPK level was 393 in his 2011 bloodwork. I also noticed several other notations of elevations.

I think you're just like me. You worry about the slightest thing with your fid. It's a habit, for me anyways. I'm VERY overprotective because Skittles is all I have left. I've never been away from him for more than four hours, so I'd be lost without him. You and Harley are like that too.

 

[Piasa]

Bean sprouts like mung bean are a very healthy source of protein. You can also sprout the seed mix he eats to improve the nutritional content.

Potassium works as an electrolyte and regulates water and salt within the body among other things. Too much can cause kidney or heart disease. Watermelon, bitter cherries (or juice), beet juice and red peppers are all healthy bird foods to make happy kidneys. They flush toxins and are easy for the kidneys to filter.

Some species have higher normal levels of potassium than others. Info I have from Miami Avian and Wildlife Lab has 4.5 as the upper end of normal for "conure" but doesn't specify what genus of conure - possibly not even pyrrhura. Some species have as high as 4.8 in the high normal (lovebirds).

I don't know about the chloride.

These are great questions. I hope someone can shed more light as I am curious too.

 

[JerseyWendy]

4.8 Potassium
115 Chloride

Hmm! I don't think the Potassium was elevated at all.

And the Chloride only minimally!

Looky, here's another link: Psittacine Bird Reference Ranges

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

@JerseyWendy Would you happen to know what the MOST important/prevalent things that should be tested in a parrot when a blood lab is taken?

For example, with me because of my medications they have to routinely check my liver, kidney and thyroid functions. They also have to check my triglycerides, cholesterol and glucose because of family history.

Reason I ask is because Skittles is going to have blood work done at his next annual (in a few months) and I'd like to make sure he gets the right ones done.

@StarryEyedGirl Just curious, did your vet give you a copy of the results? Do you know which lab they used? I'd be curious to know.

BTW, tell Harley that Skitty says "sup dude?!". lol

 

[JerseyWendy]

@JerseyWendy Would you happen to know what the MOST important/prevalent things that should be tested in a parrot when a blood lab is taken?

.....

No, I'm sorry, but I can't answer that, I don't know. I know high white blood cell count = body is fighting an infection....but my knowledge ends there.

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

@JerseyWendy Not acceptable. LOL. j/k.

I did like that second link you posted, it was reassuring. Skittles CPK level was 393 in 2011, and that second link says up to 400 is okay.

I'm not too worried as Skittles looks so much better than when I first got him. That first lab test was done a month after I bought him. I look at the first pics I took of him the day after I got him, compared to now and you'd never know it was the same bird. LOL.

 

[JerseyWendy]

@JerseyWendy Not acceptable. LOL. j/k.

LMAO! Sorryyyyyyyy!

I truly wish avian vets would take the time and explain all those abbreviations, PLUS that there can be X-amount of variations with those readings. Heck, I don't even get such detailed results with my own blood work (unless I specifically ask for it, which I don't...cause I don't wanna know unless there's something seriously amiss :54

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

I TOTALLY agree with you there. Fortunately, I am very intuitive to what is going on with my physical and mental health.

My doctors tell me I ask questions and research things most people don't even bother too. I figure, it's my body and I want to know what I put into it and what's going on inside of it. Prevention is worth a half of pound of cure. It used to be worth a pound, but with inflation and all that...blah blah blah.

 

[StarryEyedGirl]

@Skittys_Daddy yes, I had them email me a copy of the results. His vet was out of town for a week. Should be getting a call this week for us to go over the results. And Harley says 'hi' to Skittles lol. He's been a brat today.