Blood tests for cats can help your vet diagnose and treat numerous medical conditions. They are a valuable tool in most veterinary clinics. Today, our Cave Creek vets discuss the importance of blood tests for cats, and what they can tell your vet.
What Blood Tests Reveal About a Cat's Health
Feline blood tests are crucial in helping veterinarians diagnose and treat medical conditions in cats. The tests analyze various chemicals in the bloodstream, aiding in the identification of issues within the blood and organs like the kidney and liver.
- Cat blood tests can indicate a deficiency in albumin levels, which indicates a possible liver issue because albumin is produced in the liver, or intestinal or kidney issues as albumin can be lost if these are diseased.
- Blood tests for cats can detect abnormal hormonal-chemical responses to environmental and internal stimuli, which indicates a potential issue with the patient's endocrine system.
After identifying a correlation, we can proceed with ordering any necessary feline bloodwork or procedures to diagnose and treat the condition. This makes feline blood tests an invaluable tool in a veterinarian's toolkit to help detect, identify, diagnose, treat, and ultimately prevent illness or disease in cats.
Why Your Vet Might Suggest Blood Work
There a many reasons your vet might suggest bloodwork for your cat. Here are the most common reasons:
It's important to get blood work done during your cat's first exam. This helps establish a baseline for your cat's health, checks for any potential concerns or congenital abnormalities and allows us to create an individual wellness plan for your cat.
- During semi-annual and annual wellness exams - Cat blood tests are usually recommended for all life stages, from kittens to geriatric cats, as part of their routine wellness checkups. These are extremely beneficial in our mature patients, as we often see cats' health and happiness return to normal when blood tests catch illness early. Cat bloodwork, along with other bodily fluids like urine, can help identify conditions the examination portion of a physical cannot.
- If a cat seems sick - Cat blood tests are suitable for cats that are not displaying any overt signs of illness, disease, or injury, but are acting abnormally.
- Before surgery - Cat blood work is used to determine the general health of the liver, kidneys, and other organs, which helps a veterinarian select the safest form of anesthesia. Bloodwork can also help determine the surgical risk level in all cats, especially elderly or injured patients.
What are common blood tests done on cats?
A CBC measures and examines a cat's blood cells. It gives the veterinarian a wealth of information. Some of these include:
- Red blood cell (RBC) counts, proportions, and health - RBCs carry oxygen, iron, and other nutrients around the body.
- White blood cell (WBC) counts, proportions, and health - WBCs help fight inflammation, infection, cancer cells, and parasitic intruders.
- Platelet counts and health - Platelets control blood clotting.
A CBC can tell a veterinarian if a cat is anemic, dehydrated, fighting off inflammation or an infection, and whether your cat has internal bleeding.
Cat Blood Test Results Explained
Your vet will look for the following indicators on your cat's blood test:
BUN & Creatinine
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine are blood chemistries that are routinely measured as part of larger blood panels. If the BUN is high, it can indicate dehydration, kidney dysfunction, or a liver problem.
Creatinine levels are more strictly related to kidney function. High levels indicate that the cat's kidneys are having difficulty clearing the creatinine from the body and kidney disease may be developing.
Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) & Bilirubin
ALT and bilirubin are indicative of liver health, and high levels signal liver dysfunction.
Glucose
Glucose, or blood sugar, is mostly tested to determine whether a cat has diabetes mellitus, during which the glucose result will be quite high. Low blood sugar can also give a veterinarian valuable information about a cat's overall health.
Feline Leukemia Virus (FELV) & Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
FELV and FIV are routinely tested for in kittens and periodically throughout adulthood. These viruses are life-threatening and can't be cured once your cat gets infected, so it's important to keep tabs on a cat's status.
Thyroxine (T4)
T4 is usually monitored in cats as they get older. A high T4 might indicate the development of hyperthyroidism, a commonly diagnosed condition in cats. High thyroid levels can cause a myriad of different signs in cats, including increased appetite, weight loss, eating non-food items or wanting more human food, and increased vomiting.
Electrolytes
Electrolyte levels, such as potassium, sodium, and chloride, can provide valuable information to a veterinarian about a cat's overall health, including hydration levels and organ function, especially the kidneys. If there are imbalances in electrolytes, it can cause various signs of illness in cats, such as heart arrhythmias and muscle weakness. Therefore, it is important to monitor and maintain appropriate electrolyte levels in cats to prevent health issues.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.