We had a comprehensive blood and urine panel for our kitty on Friday. The Dr. left a note for me saying all was normal. I did not get to speak with the Dr. I request copies of each bw and urinalysis for my own records. I noticed something that has me nervous, even though the Dr. said all was normal. Her GGT is 13, which normal is 0-10. All of here other GGT levels from over the years (she is 10) have been either 0 or 1. She did have a dose of Heartguard 2 days prior to the test, and was not fasted for the test. Her other liver enzymes:
Albumin (H) 4.1 Normal 2.5 - 3.9
Globulin 3.3 N 2.3 - 5.3
Albumin/Glob ratio 1.2 N .35- 1.5
AST 58 N 10-100
ALT 95 N 10-100
AKP 39 N 6-102
Bilirubin .1 N .1 - .4
Triglycerides (H) 258 N 25-160
Amylase 507 N 100-1200
Lipase (207) N 0-205
CPK 151 N 56-529
BUN 27 N 14-36
Creat. 1.8 N .6 - 2.4
Also, her urine is not as concentrated--it was 1.029. Normally she is 1.045. This has been bothering me a bit too, but I am so happy to report her Microalbuminuria was .5, very normal.
I have yet to talk to the Dr. about the GGT but I have been worrying over this. Is this truly normal for it to be so high? Should I be concerned?
Thanks for any insight.
Elevated Liver Enzyme--Normal?
Re: Elevated Liver Enzyme--Normal?
The ALP would probably be higher than the GGT if there was a problem with the liver, so it's possible that the GGT is insignificant at this point (and even more insignificant if the vet used a canine reference range for GGT).
However, you might want to ask about the TRIG, not saying it's concerning, but pancreatic inflammation or early renal disease should be ruled out (there's a slight possibility that liver inflammation should be ruled out). Ask your vet about testing urine GGT, but he might not feel it's necessary. Lastly, ask if the liver enzymes and GGT should be repeated for accuracy. If it remains consistently high, and if other liver enzymes elevate, you will want to investigate further. I'm assuming kitty has not had any obvious signs of illness?
Some of these results can also be affected by dehydration too, was a CBC done as well?
However, you might want to ask about the TRIG, not saying it's concerning, but pancreatic inflammation or early renal disease should be ruled out (there's a slight possibility that liver inflammation should be ruled out). Ask your vet about testing urine GGT, but he might not feel it's necessary. Lastly, ask if the liver enzymes and GGT should be repeated for accuracy. If it remains consistently high, and if other liver enzymes elevate, you will want to investigate further. I'm assuming kitty has not had any obvious signs of illness?
Some of these results can also be affected by dehydration too, was a CBC done as well?
..........Traci
Thank you. Yes, a CBC was done and everything was perfectly normal, middle of the road (except platlets were low, but they were clumped). How can I tell if they used canine reference ranges? Would the Microalbinuria have picked up on the renal disease? No real signs of illness, she is a fincky eater and has been finicky over her food lately (canned Wellness) but has picked up on another choice I offered (canned natural balance, Chick & Liver). Thank you for giving me a clear idea of what to bring up with the Dr. 
Re: Elevated Liver Enzyme--Normal?
Yes, it's is a useful test for renal disease, but shouldn't be the only one used. You'd want to pay attention to full urinalysis results and chemical profile results as well.
You wouldn't necessarily know if the reference range was a canine range, it would probably be included with the blood analyzer equipment, but vets know that feline GGT is in lower concentrations (normally) than dogs anyway, and is generally altered with the ALP when something significant is going on. That's not to say that GGT can't elevate on it's own, because it can, but if it remains consistently high, and/or when ALP is also affected, that's when you want to investigate further.
The good news is that the CBC appeared normal!
You wouldn't necessarily know if the reference range was a canine range, it would probably be included with the blood analyzer equipment, but vets know that feline GGT is in lower concentrations (normally) than dogs anyway, and is generally altered with the ALP when something significant is going on. That's not to say that GGT can't elevate on it's own, because it can, but if it remains consistently high, and/or when ALP is also affected, that's when you want to investigate further.
The good news is that the CBC appeared normal!
..........Traci
Thank you again. We decided that we'll recheck in a month. In the meantime I will watch her urine. It's disconcerning that she went from a very concentrated urine (her whole life)--just last month she was still 1.045 and now her urine showed as 1.029. I do hope that this test was a fluke and all is well. Thank you, this is such an excellent site.
Do you have any idea what could have lowered her SG in a month's time? I know when it slips below 1.030 the Dr's say 'kidney', but in a month? I test at home with a test strip, which I understand is not reliable, but it has even always been 1.040, and tonight still her urine is at 1.020ish.
Do you have any idea what could have lowered her SG in a month's time? I know when it slips below 1.030 the Dr's say 'kidney', but in a month? I test at home with a test strip, which I understand is not reliable, but it has even always been 1.040, and tonight still her urine is at 1.020ish.
Re: Elevated Liver Enzyme--Normal?
I wouldn't worry about the specific gravity right now, it's a urinalysis you'd want to rely upon for the whole picture. While SG is important, other urine markers combined (and also combined with bloodwork results) is more specific. It could have been dehydration, even a slight change in drinking/urinating habits. Stress for example, and holding urine for too long, or not drinking as much due to inactivity, are just a couple scenarios where the SG might be altered.
..........Traci