Alkaline Phosphatase is an enzyme found in the blood and produced by the liver and bones. It indicates liver disease (or damage) as well as bile duct problems and calcium problems, but mainly as liver function indicator.
Zilla's results were normal indicating she had no problems with her liver.
In FIP, I have observed that some cats do have liver involvement, usually in the form of hepatic lipidosis from the sudden weight loss sometimes seen in the disease. It is also usually accompanied by the symptom of jaundice which in a cat can be easily seen on the inside of their ears, gums inside their mouths and can sometimes be seen also on the inner side of thier lower eyelids. You will also frequently notice darkened urine with jaundice in FIP cats.

Bilirubin...it is the byproduction of the breakdown of red blood cells.This is a normal process. It is yellow in color and is the yellow color you see in jaundice and bruising.
The yellow color can indicate the inability of the liver to remove the bilirubin in hepatitis, liver disease and other disease processes such as hemolytic anemia.

Albumin and Globulin. These two are proteins found in the blood. Albumin is a smaller protein and is water soluble and Globulin is a larger protein and is usually not water soluble.

albumin is produced in the liver and is helps carry other substances( vitamins, minerals, lipids etc..) through the blood system.

globulin is produced by both the liver and the immune system. It's function is more complex.

Both are helpful in determining liver function, immune system function, as well as hydration, nutrition, they have complex and important roles in determining both current health and a predictor of possible future health.

In FIP, there are some that think they are the most current effective and easily accessible way of diagnosis.
the rule is albumin/globulin ratio >0.8 FIP not likely
albumin/globulin ratio <0.4FIP likely
between 0.4-0.8 look for other disease process.
You can read more about albumin and globulin here:
http://www.dr-addie.com/WhatIsFIP.htm#Diagnosis%20of%20FIP
I agree with some, not all of the information on this web site, but I do agree with the alb./glb information basically as it is presented.

Albumins and Globulins are complex in the bodies functioning and I am personally not sure that their roles in cat health are completely known or fully understood, because of their obvious link to nutrition. I do not think that the nutritional needs of cats are properly met by any commercial diets and certainly are not addressed properly in veterinary colleges which receive a great deal of funding from the producers of these commercial diets.

I stopped up at the vet's office today to pick up a disk of Zilla's xray pictures. It was hard. I'm not sure why. I guess just seeing her name on the paperwork and knowing that I won't ever have an invoice or a lab report or a post card reminding me of her needing a check up.
I've been thinking about getting a tattoo with her name and picture. I have never gotten a tattoo, so it's an interesting thought to have. I guess the rebound sadness will just be part of my healing process. I can usually pass onto remembering all the good things without so much sadness fairly well, but I'm having a time of it with Zilla. She rarely left my side and wherever I was, so was she. I look to places where she'd always lay or sit and they are empty. What I wouldn't give to have her back by my side.

Total Protein... This is a measurement of the total protein in the blood. This test is important, but complex because it can indicate many different conditions.

The blood proteins are basically made up of two parts. These are albumin and globulin.
this test can indicate infection, swelling, pulmonary edema, ascities (abdominal fluid), kidney disease, liver disease, general nutritional health.

This test is also run in conjunction with the actual albumin and globulin values as well as the ratio of albumin to globulin.

This is an important set of tests in helping determine FIP.

There is a "test" for FIP and I'll discuss that later on in the blog. It is called an FIP Titre, but I personally think it is basically useless and a waste of money. (quick explaination for now, it that it only measures exposure to a corona virus not necessarily the fatal version that causes FIP and about 80% of all cats test positive. It has two results in standard lab testing >400 and >1600.)

So, looking at Zilla's test results, you will see that her Total Protein is High. Not what we'd like to see on lab work. Particularly if looking for FIP. But as I stated earlier, TP is indicative of many things, so again, it is the over all picture we have to take a look at.

I'll explain Albumin and Globulins further...but let's talk about what we did to treat Zilla at this point.

We started her on a course of Antibiotics and prednislone based upon both the lab results and her chest xrays (to be posted shortly). I should also add at this point, she was running a substancial fever 105-106%.
This set of labs was the point where the head and the heart split paths. It happens, I think in particular when you "know" the truth, but you don't want to face it, because the end result is terrible. I knew, and I know my vet knew, I don't remember exactly what he said, but I clearly remember thinking at the time, wow, he's trying to ease me into this.

So a quick note about my vet. One of the few good people. Loves animals, is caring and compassionate and a genuine nice person. I trust him with my pets, and that says a lot. Now, as he would no doubt sigh and tell you, it does not mean I won't totally research every little thing to death and back and argue with him and bug the crap out of him...and still want him to perform miracles for me. But those are my shortcomings, not his.
http://www.rbvhhillsborough.net/

Having said that however and I can not emphasis this enough YOU MUST ADVOCATE FOR YOUR PET and in order to do so, you must learn everything you can about what is wrong with them. you NEVER know when something small will make a huge difference. Education should never stop. It doesn't mean you need to go to back to school, there are terrific books out there to read.
I'll post a list of my favorites as time permits.

Creatinine is a chemical waste product in the blood that is filtered out by the kidneys. Again the creatinine blood test is an indicator of kidney function. That includes severe kidney infection as well as acute and chronic disease. High creatinine can also occur in injury and diabetes. This can also indicate serious dehydration.

Low creatinine is usually not significant, but can indicate muscle mass loss.


Zilla's creatinine was in the normal range, so there were no diagnostic clues in that test. It does indicate however that most likely her kidneys were filtering waste products properly at that time.

Here is Zilla cuddling with Fum and Tweddle Dum.