Ron Hines DVM PhD

See What Normal Blood & Urine Values Are

The Causes Of Most Abnormal Blood  & Urine Tests

See How Tests Are Grouped

  For a more thorough explanation of why your pet’s bicarbonate levels could be low, also see the causes of a high anion gap

Bicarbonate is the most important buffer in your dog or cat ’s blood and tissue fluids. Buffers act like car shock absorbers and torsion bars to lessen large swings in body acidity produced by the normal, and abnormal chemical processes going on in your pet’s body (its metabolism).

Measurement of your pet’s blood bicarbonate level provides similar information, as does the measurement of your pet’s Anion Gap or  Blood pH .

Health Problems That Can Causes Bicarbonate Levels To Be Reduced In Your Dog And Cat:

Addison’s disease,  persistent vomiting,   chronic diarrhea,   diabetes  in cats or in dogs,   kidney disease  and antifreeze poisoning can all cause your pet’s blood bicarbonate levels to be low.

Overdoses of aspirin, lung disease and any of the many other causes of acidosis or alkalosis can cause abnormally low blood bicarbonate levels as well.

Complementary tests:

CBC/  WBC and blood chemistry panel , anion gap , blood Sodium,  Potassium  &  Chloride, levels. Blood gases analysis, kidney function tests: BUN,  creatinine  , as well as the many tests suggested in diagnosing the conditions I mentioned in discussing  blood pH , and anion gap.

DxMe

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