JustMe
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Posts: 10300
My RB Angels Elvis, 1991-2010, and Twit, 2001-2010
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« on: February 20, 2010, 02:35:40 PM » |
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Over the past couple years, we've been having a lot of blood work drawn on our cats, and I've noticed quite often the amylase levels are elevated. Vet isn't concerned about these, but I'm wondering if anyone else has been noticing this.
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Logged
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Eventually they will understand,
Replied the glorious cat
For I will whisper into their hearts
That I am always with them
I just am....forever and ever and ever.
Poem for Cats, author unknown
"A kitten in the animal kingdom is like a rosebud in a garden", author unknown
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Mandycat
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« Reply #1 on: February 20, 2010, 07:43:49 PM » |
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JM,
I looked back at all of Mandy's recent blood tests and her Amylase levels have always been just about in the middle of the reference range. This is what is written in my information about what the various blood tests mean when increased or decreased:
"Amylase/Lipase - These are pancreatic enzymes. They may be elevated in the face of pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, or pancreatic abscession. Unfortunately, they are not very sensitive or specific for pancreatic disease. Amylase is frequently elevated in kidney disease due to lack of excretion by the kidneys. When these values are dramatically elevated, it may prompt a more specific evaluation of kidneys and/pancreas."
From the above, it appears that even though amylase may be elevated, it is not very specific in indicating a pancreatic problem, and must be very high to prompt any concern to look for a cause. That is probably why your vet is not very concerned at this time, but is probably keeping an eye on any higher elevations.
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bug
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« Reply #2 on: February 21, 2010, 07:52:11 PM » |
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Some of my cats at some point in time have had elevated amylase and my vet said it wasn't an indicator for anything specific. So long as they were doing fine and other parameters were fine, no big deal. Incidentally, it wasn't Red or Bones who had an elevated number.
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My little babies, you'll always be in my heart. Mom will see you later. Look after each other, ok?
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JustMe
Administrator
Hero Member
Posts: 10300
My RB Angels Elvis, 1991-2010, and Twit, 2001-2010
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« Reply #3 on: February 22, 2010, 11:10:33 AM » |
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Thanks for your thoughts on elevated amylase, MandyCat and Bug. Can't remember, but at one point when I questioned my vet I thought he said it could be related to whether they had just eaten. Not sure though. I'll ask again.
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Logged
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Eventually they will understand,
Replied the glorious cat
For I will whisper into their hearts
That I am always with them
I just am....forever and ever and ever.
Poem for Cats, author unknown
"A kitten in the animal kingdom is like a rosebud in a garden", author unknown
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lesliek
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« Reply #4 on: February 22, 2010, 07:21:30 PM » |
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U of Penn told me it can also go up with liver problems or from eosinophils being up from allergic reactions. That was for Remy, not sure if it holds true for cats also.
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"the world's most inept extortionist"
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JoMax
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« Reply #5 on: February 23, 2010, 06:37:43 AM » |
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My vet also said on Max's last blood test (when he'd just had his first seizure) that it was a bit high, but didnt imply anything since the other indicators were unchanged from 6 months previous test (i.e. in the low end of the 'high' band, given his crf). He said it only mattered if the other counters were shifted way up.
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"I can think of many ways in which I would become a better person if I were more like my cats. But I cannot think of a single way in which my cats would be any better for being more like me." A.N.Wilson
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