BUN Blood Urea Nitrogen. High levels of urea in dogs blood (uremic) can indicate kidney disease or failure, dehydration, high protein diet, heart disease, kidney/bladder stones, hyperthyroidism, intestinal hemorrhage, corticosteroid treatment, chemicals/drugs, shock, prostate disease & neoplasms. Low levels of urea in dogs blood can indicate liver disease or over-hydration (drinking lots of water or being given large amounts of intra-venous fluids). Urea is a waste product formed when the liver processes protein and is eliminated from the body by the kidneys.
The BUN blood test should be done after 12 hours starvation for accurate results. Normal BUN levels vary between laboratories . BUN & creatinine tests are usually done together to provide the best information about kidney function. N.B. High protein diet would not normally give rise to high creatinine.
USA & CANADA – BUN is measured in mg/dL
EUROPE & UK – BUN is measured in mmol/L
Please see also Chronic Renal Failure
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