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Pandora syndrome affects multiple organ systems, including the urinary tract. The term is often used synonymously with Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC), but FIC is only one component of Pandora syndrome. It is believed to be related to chronic stress. This article discusses causes, signs, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis for cats with this condition.
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Having your pet properly prepared before blood collection helps to ensure that test results are as accurate and reliable as they can be. Sometimes abnormal test results say more about how the pet was prepared than about true illness.
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With modern drugs and sophisticated equipment, the risk associated with general anesthesia and surgery is minimal for the healthy pet. However, the potential for complications still exists, and the best way to minimize the risk for your pet is to have a complete pre-surgical evaluation performed before the procedure.
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The American Animal Hospital Association and American Veterinary Medical Association have established guidelines to standardize preventive health care for cats, helping them to live longer, healthier lives. This handout provides an overview of the recommendations within these guidelines and why they are so important.
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X-ray images are produced by directing X-rays through a part of the body towards an absorptive surface such as an X-ray film or electronic sensor. The image is produced by the differing energy absorption of various parts of the body. Bones are the most absorptive and leave a white image on the screen, whereas soft tissue absorbs varying degrees of energy depending on the density, producing shades of gray on the image. Air on an X-ray is black. X-rays are a common diagnostic tool used for many purposes.
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Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is produced in the brain and regulates the production of cortisol. When blood cortisol levels are low, it is secreted to stimulate more production, and when blood cortisol levels are high (like from an adrenal tumor), ACTH production is suppressed. ACTH testing alone cannot be used to diagnose Cushing's disease but can help determine what type of Cushing's disease the patient has.
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Serum is the liquid portion of blood. Serum is collected by placing a tube of clotted blood in a machine called a centrifuge, which spins the blood very quickly in a small circle, forcing the cells to the bottom of the tube and allowing the serum to sit on top.
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Electrolytes are the salts and metallic components that are dissolved within the blood serum, and are involved in most of the body's daily functions.
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Serum iron tests are indicated when the results from a complete blood count (CBC) indicate that your pet is anemic (decreased red blood cell numbers and/or decreased hemoglobin) and that the red blood cells are microcytic (smaller than usual) and hypochromic (contain less hemoglobin than usual).
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Serum contains many proteins that perform diverse functions, which include providing cellular nutrition, defending against infections, playing a role in inflammation, and acting as hormones or enzymes. Protein electrophoresis is a specialized test that analyzes specific groups of proteins in the blood serum and measures how much of each group of protein is present. The results of the analysis help diagnose specific diseases, such as infection and some types of cancer.