What is the lab work for a cat, and how has it done?
Lab work consists of two things, mainly blood work and urine samples. And what we're looking at on our feline patients’ organ function abnormalities, electrolytes, thyroid levels, and various components of the urine sample, urine concentration, and screening for urinary tract infections.
How does a baseline lab test impact the health and wellbeing of my cat?
It's good to know where we're starting. So if there are changes in the future, which there likely will be as your kitty gets older, it's good to know where they started. Also, if we start any medications, then it's good to know what the response to those is in the future.
What are some reasons that my cat might need lab work done?
There are many reasons your cat might need lab work done. Baseline lab work is always a good idea to see where we're starting and also if they become sick. Some of the biggest concerns we see in kitties are vomiting, weight loss, diarrhea, GI abnormalities, or if they're going under anesthesia for any sort of procedure.
What are some possible cat health conditions that lab work can help detect?
The most common ones we see in kitties are kidney disease (especially in older kitties), hyperthyroidism, and urinary tract infections. Diabetes is also on the list.
What specific things are being looked at while using my cat's blood work? And what can it tell my veterinarian about my cat's health?
So, there are a bunch of different things to examine in lab work. Some values reflect organ function or organ abnormalities. Some are electrolytes, which can go in conjunction with organ function abnormalities. Thyroid level is critical, and our CBC, which is our blood cell count. The CBC checks for anemia and elevations in white cell counts, indicative of inflammation or infection, and urinalysis. So, we're looking for our concentration ability in the kidney and any signs of urinary tract infection.
Is blood work alone enough to ensure a proper diagnosis of a cat's illness?
Not always, but it gives us an excellent starting point. Blood work will provide us with a lot of information about organ function, diabetes, urinary tract infections, and hyperthyroidism. Sometimes we have to add on more lab work to the screening panels to make a further diagnosis. And sometimes, we'll recommend additional imaging like an abdominal ultrasound or x-rays to figure out exactly what's going on.
Why is early detection and diagnosis of cat illnesses using lab work so important?
Well, the earlier we detect it, the better chance we have at managing it appropriately. So, if we catch a problem early, we can start treatment early, we can change our diet early, and it reduces the risk that the kitty's not going to respond to treatment.
The Drake Center for Veterinary Care is an AAHA-accredited animal hospital located in Encinitas, CA. The Drake Center loves being a source of information for all pet owners across the country; however, if you have any questions regarding pet care and do not live in Encinitas, CA or surrounding cities, we encourage you to contact your local veterinarian.