Overview

• Derived from breakdown of creatine in muscle.
• Excreted by kidneys.
• Not influenced by protein metabolism (unlike urea).
• Important marker of renal function; levels controlled by excretion rate, but relatively insensitive.
• Clearance is identical to inulin and therefore accurately measures glomerular filtration rate.

Sampling

Tests

Availability

• Widely available.

Technique (intrinsic) limitations

• Interpret in conjunction with other laboratory and clinical findings.

Result Data

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Benson K G & Paul-Murphy J (1999) Clinical pathology of the domestic rabbit: acquisition and interpretation of samples. Vet Clin North Am Exotic Anim Pract 2 (3), 539-552 PubMed.

Other sources of information

• Varga M (2014) Textbook of Rabbit Medicine. 2nd edn. Butterworth Heinemann Elsevier, UK.
• Wesche P (2014) Clinical Pathology. In: BSAVA Manual of Rabbit Medicine. Eds: Meredith A & Lord B. BSAVA, UK. pp 124-137.
• Harcourt-Brown F (2013) Diagnosis of Renal Disease in Rabbits. Vet Clin North Am Exotic Anim Pract 16, 145-174.
• Krause A L, Weisbroth S H, Flatt R E & Brewer N (1984) Biology and Diseases of Rabbits. In: Laboratory Animal Medicine. Eds: Fox J G, Cohen B J S & Loew F M. Academic Press, USA. pp 207-240.