Dog Aggression: Physiological & Pharmaceutical Causes (Blood Work & Lab Checklist)

By Norma Jeanne Laurette ​

Table Of Contents

• Complete Blood Count (CBC)
  • Red Blood Cells
  • White Blood Cells
• Serum Chemistry Panel
  • Kidney Values
  • Liver Enzymes
  • Proteins
  • Blood Glucose
  • Electrolytes
  • Phosphorus
  • Cholesterol
• Thyroid Function Tests
  • Total T4
  • Free T4
  • Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone
  • Thyroglobulin Autoantibodies
• Liver Function Tests
  • Pre and Post-Prandial Bile Acids
  • Ammonia
• Additional Chemistry Tests
  • Magnesium
  • Ionized Calcium
• Urinalysis
  • Protein
• Case-Specific Tests
  • Cortisol
  • Toxicology Screen
• References
  • Canine Aggression
• Physiological & Pharmaceutical Causes

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

Red Blood Cells (RBCs) to rule out anemia R60.

White Blood Cells (WBCs) to rule out elevations that could indicate infection or inflammation. Stress can also affect WBC counts R60.
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Platelets to rule out low levels that can indicate clotting disorders or systemic disease R60.

Serum Chemistry Panel

Kidney Values (BUN, Creatinine) to rule out elevated levels that could indicate kidney disease R60.

Liver Enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP, GGT) to rule out abnormal levels that could indicate liver disease R60.

Proteins (Total Protein, Albumin, Globulin) to rule out altered levels that could indicate liver or kidney disease, chronic inflammation, immune disorders or malnutrition R60.

Blood Glucose to rule out hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia R60.

Electrolytes (Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, Calcium) to rule out imbalances R60.

Phosphorus to rule out elevated levels that could indicate kidney disease R60.

Cholesterol to rule out high levels that could be associated with hypothyroidism R60.

Thyroid Function Tests

Total T4 to rule out low levels that could indicate hypothyroidism R61.

Free T4 to rule out low levels that could indicate hypothyroidism R61.

eThyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) to rule out elevated levels that could indicate primary hypothyroidism, which affects the thyroid itself and low levels could indicate secondary hypothyroidism, which affects the pituitary gland R61.

Thyroglobulin Autoantibodies (TGAA) to rule out the presence that could suggest autoimmune thyroiditis R61.

Liver Function Tests

Pre and post-prandial Bile Acids to rule out elevated levels that could indicate liver disease or portosystemic shunts R62.

Ammonia to rule out increased levels that could lead to hepatic encephalopathy R62.

Additional Chemistry Tests

Magnesium to rule out low or high levels that could affect neuromuscular function R63.
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Ionized CalciumIonized Calcium to rule out abnormal levels that could indicate endocrine disorders, kidney disease or cancer R63.

Urinalysis

Protein to rule out the presence that could indicate kidney disease or systemic illness R61.

Case-Specific Tests

Cortisol to rule out elevated levels that could indicate Cushing’s disease (hyperadrenocorticism) R61.

Toxicology Screen to rule out exposure to toxins or heavy metals R61.

References

R60: ToeGrips. (n.d.). Understanding blood tests for dogs: Blood chemistry, CBC, and more.
Retrieved from https://toegrips.com/blood-tests-for-dogs/
R61: Laboklin. (n.d.). Laboratory tests for dogs and cats with behavioural problems. Retrieved
from https://laboklin.com/en/laboratory-tests-for-dogs-and-cats-with-behavioural-problems/
R62: WagWalking. (n.d.). Brain disorder due to liver disease in dogs. Retrieved from
https://wagwalking.com/condition/brain-disorder-due-to-liver-disease
R63: VetClinicMission. (2017). Understanding your pet's diagnostic testing. Retrieved from
https://vetclinicmission.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Understanding-Your-Pets-Diagnostic-Testing.pdf
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Photo by Karsten Winegeart on Unsplash