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Blood biochemistry: ammonia
Synonym(s): NH3
Overview
- Primarily absorbed from gastrointestinal tract, especially colon. Smaller levels from muscle metabolism.
- Increased levels reflect impaired liver function Liver: failure or portosystemic shunt Congenital portosystemic shunt (CPSS).
- Used in investigation of hepatic encephalopathy Hepatic encephalopathy.
Uses
Alone
- Hepatic encephalopathy.
Cats with suspected hepatic encephalopathy should NOT be further tested using ammonia tolerance test as this may be fatal. - Portosystemic shunt Congenital portosystemic shunt (CPSS).
Bile acids Blood biochemistry: bile acid are a better index of hepatic function.
In combination
- Liver failure.
- Ammonia tolerance test may be indicated if have capacity to run ammonia test rapidly and fasting ammonia is not elevated, or only minimally elevated. Do not challenge animal if fasting ammonia is significantly elevated!
Sampling
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Tests
Availability
- Contact commercial laboratory to confirm availability.
- Available with some in-practice analyzers.
Technique intrinsic limitations
- Only significant in conjunction with other laboratory and clinical findings.
Technician extrinsic limitations
- Specialized test.
Result Data
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Further Reading
Publications
Refereed papers
- Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
Other sources of information
- Ettinger S J & Feldman E C (2000) Eds. Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 5th edn. W B Saunders & Co, USA.
- Kaneko J J, Harvey J W & Brass M L (1997) Eds. Clinical Biochemistry of Domestic Animals. 5th edn. Academic Press, USA.
- Duncan J R, Prasse K W & Mahaffey E A (1994) Veterinary Laboratory Medicine. Clinical Pathology. 3rd edn. Iowa University Press, USA.