Cats' blood tests are often a mystery, and at first glance understanding the numbers can be mind-boggling. Thank goodness the "reference range" is included, which is helpful. But what does it actually mean in terms of a cat's health if one or more of the values is either too low or two high? Sometimes it only means that the cat is overly stressed, simply from being bundled into a crate, driven to the veterinary office, often to have to wait in a lobby with barking dogs.

High stress often results in an initially high blood pressure reading, as was recently the case with my Jaspurr, who is being treated for Hyperthyroidism. After a short wait, the vet tech took another reading, which was within the normal range.

Being of an inquisitive mind, I always request copies of my cats' laboratory tests, and pore over them at home. If the numbers are well within the normal guidelines, I  usually don't worry, however if they are just one point away from being either too high or too low, I make a mental note to watch for any trend the next time tests are done.

Diseases Blood and Urine Tests Can Indicate

While these lab tests cannot always provide a positive diagnosis, they can be the starting point toward identifying certain diseases and conditions known in cats. This list is by no means exhaustive, but contains some commonly seen conditions in cats.

• Anemia:  If the cat's Red Blood Cells (RBC) count is low, anemia results. The potential causes or anemia are numerous, and one of the most common is blood loss, either through trauma, or through less obvious means, such as internal blood loss through tumors, Even such seemingly innocuous events such as mosquito bites, fleas, or lice, can result in an astonishing amount of blood loss, according to Pet MD. The other possible cause of anemia in cats is the body's failure to produce enough red blood cells to meet demands. Potential reasons are  feline leukemia (FeLV) and feline infectious peritonitis  (FIP)  Please read the full article, Anemia in Cats for more information.

• Diabetes:  Feline Diabetes is readily diagnosed by the blood glucose reading. For example, our Billy's last glucose count was 215 (Reference Range is 64-170) .A secondary test, fructosamine, may be ordered, using the same blood sample, to differentiate stress hyperglycemia from early diabetes mellitus. We opted to add this test on, as Billy is a very high stress cat where it comes to veterinarian visits, and the fructosamine confirmed the diagnosis.. 
• Pancreatitis:  One of the indicators for pancreatitis is a high Lipase value. In the case of Billy, mentioned above, his initial Lipase was 556 (Reference Range 0 - 205) Twenty-eight days later, it had dropped to 266. Pancreatitis can be a very serious condition. However, Arnold Plotnick MS, DVM, ACVIM, ABVP writes, "Serum amylase and lipase levels have no clinical usefulness at all for the diagnosis of feline pancreatitis.  This is mostly because other organs in the body produce these enzymes, such as the stomach and small intestine." Learn much more about feline pancreatitis from Dr. Plotnick's article,
• Hyperthyroidism:  A special blood panel called the T4 ( or Total T4) can be ordered if hyperthyroidism is suspected. I specifically asked for this panel when I brought Jaspurr to the veterinarian in early September, 2013. Initially the reading was 6.1 (Reference Range 0.8 - 4.0).Jaspurr's sodium level was also slightly high at 159 (Reference Range 145 - 158)  We started him on a mild dose of fish-flavored liquid methimazole twice daily. Upon recheck, the numbers had turned around: T4 was 0.5, and the sodium level low at 132. His dose of methimazole was reduced to once daily, which we give in the evening.
• Hypothyroidism: The testing for hypothyroidism is exactly the same as for hyperthyroidism, Hypothyroidism most often results from a rare, but possible side effect of radioactive iodine therapy, as happened with my Bubba, or injury to the thyroid gland through surgery. This condition is treated with a thyroxine supplement, and most treated cats can live completely normal lives.
• Kidney Disease:  Chronic Renal Failure (CRF) is common in older cats, as it is in humans. Acute renal failure has been found when toxic substances are ingested, as happened in 2007 when melamine was discovered in hundreds of brands of cat foods, during the horrendous pet food recalls of 2007.  Blood values which may point to kidney disease include BUN (Reference Range 14 - 36), Creatinine (Reference Range 0,6 - 2.4), and the BUN / Creatinine  Ratio, Reference Range 4 - 33). Chronic renal failure is treated at home  with subcutaneous fluids (Sub-Q), usually Ringer's Solution. Emergencies may require IV fluid administered at the vet's office. A healthful diet of canned food or raw food, plenty of drinking water, and loads of love will certainly improve your cat's quality of life, and hopefully extend his time with you.

While laboratory tests are certainly an important part of a veterinary exam, hands-on examination by your veterinarian and her technician is equally important. Your cat's weight, temperature, and blood pressure will be checked and recorded. Your vet will examine kitty's eyes, ears, and nose, palpate his body for lumps and bumps, and listen to his heart and lungs with a stethoscope. His feet and toes will be examined, and blood pressure and pulse rate taken. Only after all that has been done, and the lab results are back, can your veterinarian make a fairly decisive diagnosis and prescribe a course of treatment

 

Disclaimer: As with all medically-related articles, I must inform you that I am not a veterinarian. This article is not intended to be a definitive answer to any questions you might have about blood tests for cats, but is meant to give you a starting place to do your own research so you can make an informed decision, should it ever become necessary. Above all, your own veterinarian should always be your primary source of information and advice about your cats.