1. kidney function tests
Dr. Eva A Ajaj

3. Definition
Kidney function tests is a collective term for a variety of individual tests and procedures that can be done to evaluate how well the kidneys are functioning.

4. Purpose
The kidneys, the body's natural filtration system, perform many vital functions, including
removing metabolic waste products from the bloodstream.
regulating the body's water balance.
maintaining the pH (acidity/alkalinity) of the body's fluids.
waste chemicals are filtered out and eliminated from the body (along with excess water) in the form of urine.
Kidney function tests help to determine if the kidneys are performing their tasks adequately.

5. Description
A number of clinical laboratory tests that measure the levels of substances normally regulated by the kidneys can help to determine the cause and extent of kidney dysfunction.
Urine and blood samples are used for these tests

6. Laboratory tests urine tests A small, randomly collected urine sample.
examined physically for things color, odor, appearance, and concentration (specific gravity).

7. chemically, for substances such a protein, glucose, and pH (acidity/alkalinity).
microscopically for the
presence of cellular elements (red blood cells [RBCs], white blood cells [WBCs], and epithelial cells), bacteria, crystals, and casts.

8. Creatinine clearance test
This test evaluates how efficiently the kidneys clear a substance called creatinine from the blood.
Because the body does not recycle it, all creatinine filtered by the kidneys in a given amount of time is excreted in the urine.
Creatinine clearance a very specific measurement of kidney function.

9. Urea clearance test
Urine osmolality test
Urine protein test - Healthy kidneys allowing no protein, or only slight amounts of protein, into the urine.

10. blood tests Blood urea nitrogen test (BUN)
Urea is formed in the liver, and filtered from the blood and excreted in the urine by the kidneys.
The BUN test measures the amount of nitrogen contained in the urea. High BUN levels can indicate kidney dysfunction.
BUN is also affected by protein intake and liver function, the test is usually done together with a blood creatinine, a more specific indicator of kidney function

11. Creatinine test This test measures blood levels of creatinine.
Filtered by the kidneys and excreted into the urine.
With normal kidney function, its level in the blood remains relatively constant and normal.
Creatinine is affected very little by liver function.
Elevated blood creatinine level is a more sensitive indicator of impaired kidney function than the BUN.

12. .
Other blood tests
Measurement of the blood levels of other elements regulated in part by the kidney.These include sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, protein, uric acid, and glucose.

13. Precautions
The veterinarian should take a complete history perior to conducting kidney function tests.
A wide variety of prescription and over-the-counter medications can affect blood and urine kidney function test results.