Elevated BUN and normal creatinine

[paolaRN]

Hi everyone so my pup went in for his neutering and baby teeth extractions. Along with that they did full blood work, CBC and CMP. His BUN came back high at 108 and creatinine normal. Every other lab value normal as well including liver enzymes. They want me to bring him back for a check up in two weeks to see if its still the same in order to proceed with further tests. I'm heartbroken and cried and cried last night. Wish I could switch spots. Has anyone had this with their pups if so what could it be? They're worried for a GI bleed possibly and will proceed to testing if its high in 2 weeks again. I read something online about high protein diets causing elevated BUNs and normal creatinine's. I do have him on orijen puppy which is a mostly prey diet, 80% chicken\meat etc. and 20% veggies no grains. I'm wondering if this could be it? I also top his food with a little bit of chicken and tiny bit of Parmesan with every meal or he doesnt eat. I know there's other threads on this but they are couple years old and I would like to know if there's anything updated thanks!

[ladyjane]

Why are they worried about a GI bleed?

They did not suggest a prescription diet for now?

BTW having two threads with the same subject line is very confusing. Maybe you should ask for the other to be closed...or have them merge the two??

As for the elevated BUN I would try to relax and see what the next one is. Maybe if it is still elevated it is time to see a specialist...ask your vet about that.

[Ellie May]

High protein diets can cause the BUN to be higher than normal, but not this high.

This is a puppy?

I can't agree with the vet's do nothing approach for two weeks. Unless there is a lab reporting error here, there is a problem. BUN does not just appear this high for nothing.

[lisaly]

My little girl had a mildly elevated BUN and normal creatine. We followed up right away with a urine test measuring the specific gravity of her urine, which was fine. My guess is that it was due to milddehydration combined with a high protein diet. She was not drinking enough water while playing hard, and she was using her little pool to cool off instead of drinking water. I hope you find an easily treatable cause for your baby's high BUN.

[TxVicki]

My Luci who is 6 yrs old, I adopted her 2 yrs ago. She has always had an above normal on BUN level only. All other levels are just fine. We did other tests on her and she was just fine. Her levels have been running between 38-48. We do blood work on her every 3 months, which is just fine with me.

[paolaRN]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Why are they worried about a GI bleed?

They did not suggest a prescription diet for now?

BTW having two threads with the same subject line is very confusing. Maybe you should ask for the other to be closed...or have them merge the two??

As for the elevated BUN I would try to relax and see what the next one is. Maybe if it is still elevated it is time to see a specialist...ask your vet about that.

Apparently this can be indicative of a GI bleed or ulcer, so he's on carfate. I wi be out of town and cant make it in a week for a recheck. But I was so in shock when they told me that I didnt even mention his diet. The tech is who gave us the news as the vet was in emergency surgery. I called today and waiting on a call back, he's still in surgery.

[paolaRN]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

High protein diets can cause the BUN to be higher than normal, but not this high.

This is a puppy?

I can't agree with the vet's do nothing approach for two weeks. Unless there is a lab reporting error here, there is a problem. BUN does not just appear this high for nothing.

Yes a puppy, 9 months old. Well he wants a recheck in a week but i will be out of town so he said it was safe to wait 2.

[paolaRN]

Originally Posted by lisaly

My little girl had a mildly elevated BUN and normal creatine. We followed up right away with a urine test measuring the specific gravity of her urine, which was fine. My guess is that it was due to milddehydration combined with a high protein diet. She was not drinking enough water while playing hard, and she was using her little pool to cool off instead of drinking water. I hope you find an easily treatable cause for your baby's high BUN.

I Placed a call today to ask them about urine test but he hasn't call me back for he's in surgery today. I think it's a combination of both as well he drinks water but I'm thinking maybe not enough water as he's very picky and if the water isn't fresh he won't drink and of course I have him on the high-protein diet with chicken, Orijen, and then cottage cheese at times.

[Ellie May]

I saw another post of yours. The vet went through with a neuter with a BUN of 108?????

I know he is vomiting. Does he have an appetite?

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

I saw another post of yours. The vet went through with a neuter with a BUN of 108?????

I know he is vomiting. Does he have an appetite?

And when he said there could be GI bleed? I am very confused...

[Marhcarter]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Why are they worried about a GI bleed?

They did not suggest a prescription diet for now?

BTW having two threads with the same subject line is very confusing. Maybe you should ask for the other to be closed...or have them merge the two??

As for the elevated BUN I would try to relax and see what the next one is. Maybe if it is still elevated it is time to see a specialist...ask your vet about that.

An elevated bun with normal creat in a human is one indicator of a GIB, many times registering before a drop in the hgb/hct. I would think it is the same in a dog... In fact, that was my first thought before I continued to read and saw the vet thought the same thing.

[TxVicki]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

I saw another post of yours. The vet went through with a neuter with a BUN of 108?????

I know he is vomiting. Does he have an appetite?

Where does she say he is vomiting???

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Marhcarter

An elevated bun with normal creat in a human is one indicator of a GIB, many times registering before a drop in the hgb/hct. I would think it is the same in a dog... In fact, that was my first thought before I continued to read and saw the vet thought the same thing.

The thing that bothered me at the time was saying that yet sending the pup home. I did not get it. I was so full of questions from the original post anyway.....

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

The thing that bothered me at the time was saying that yet sending the pup home. I did not get it. I was so full of questions from the original post anyway.....

And, now I hear that he did the dental and neuter? Count me as more confused.

[Ellie May]

I didn't want to be alarmist before and scare you. But in all honestly 108 is very high. It calls for an immediate urinalysis. If a bleed is on the list of rule outs that is ok, but the kidneys can't be ignored. The vet should have postponed surgery. There are lots of reasons for vomiting after surgery. It is good that you stopped the pain med just in case. But there are potentially serious causes here.