BLOOD AMMONIA IN THE DOG - FACTORS OF VAR IATION AND DIAGNOSTIC-SIGNIFICANCE

Ammonia is a toxic compound. Primarily produced in the gut, it is carr ied to the liver where it is converted to urea and then eliminated by the kidney. Hyperammonemia is usually secondary to severe hepatocellul ar insufficiency whatever its cause or to circulatory bypass of the li ver. Some factors can also result in hyperammonemia without any liver disease. Blood ammonia and ammonia tolerance test can be performed as hepatic function assays. Ammonia concentration can now easily and quic kly be measured by in practice chemistry analysers. However, specimen requirements must be respected and results must be linked to clinical features and other laboratory findings for interpretation.