Understanding How Bloodwork, Urinalysis, and Other Lab Tests Give Us a Vital Look Inside, Helping Us Protect Your Cat’s Wellbeing
Cats are creatures of quiet dignity and profound secrecy. Their instinct to hide any sign of weakness or illness is a powerful survival tool that has served their ancestors for millennia. In our homes, however, this stoic nature means that by the time a cat looks sick, their underlying condition may already be quite advanced. As their dedicated guardians, how can we possibly know what’s truly going on inside?
The answer lies in modern veterinary diagnostics. At San Marcos Veterinary Clinic, we use a range of laboratory tests to get the “inside story” of your cat’s health. These tests are our most powerful tool for looking beyond what our eyes can see, allowing us to detect problems early, make accurate diagnoses, and ensure your cat receives the best possible care throughout their life.
Our Cat Lab Testing Services: A Look at Bloodwork
A small blood sample tells a complex and detailed story about your cat’s health. We typically run two main panels that work together to provide a comprehensive overview.
- The Complete Blood Count (CBC): This test is like taking a detailed inventory of the primary cells in the bloodstream. It counts the red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The CBC is essential for identifying the presence of infection, inflammation, and anemia, which can be signs of many underlying conditions.
- The Blood Chemistry Panel: This panel is our “organ function report.” It measures various enzymes, electrolytes, and other substances in the blood to assess the health and function of your cat’s critical internal organs. It gives us vital information about the liver and kidneys, checks blood sugar levels to screen for diabetes, and evaluates protein levels, all of which are crucial indicators of your cat’s metabolic health.
The Importance of Cat Lab Testing: Urinalysis Insights
While bloodwork tells us about the organs, a urinalysis tells us how well they are performing their job. A urine sample provides a completely different set of clues and is one of the most valuable diagnostic tests for cats. It allows us to:
- Assess Kidney Function: A urinalysis is the best way to evaluate how well the kidneys are concentrating urine—one of the first functions to decline in early kidney disease.
- Detect Urinary Tract Issues: We can identify signs of inflammation, infection, and the presence of microscopic crystals that can lead to painful bladder stones.
- Screen for Diabetes: The presence of glucose (sugar) in the urine is a key indicator of diabetes mullites.
Comprehensive Cat Lab Testing: Fecal Exams & Other Screenings
The story of your cat’s health is rounded out by other important tests. A fecal analysis allows us to screen for common intestinal parasites like roundworms and hookworms, which can steal vital nutrients, especially from kittens. We also use specific blood tests to screen for infectious diseases like Feline Leukemia (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), which is critical for all new kittens and cats with unknown histories.
When We Recommend Cat Lab Testing
We use these powerful storytelling tools in several key situations:
- Annual & Senior Wellness Screening: Performing lab work on a healthy cat establishes a “normal baseline” for them. This makes it much easier to spot significant changes in the future and is the key to detecting disease early.
- Pre-Anesthetic Safety Check: Before any procedure requiring anesthesia, we recommend bloodwork to ensure your cat’s organs are healthy enough to safely process the anesthetic drugs.
- Diagnostic Testing for Sick Cats: When a cat is unwell, lab tests are the fastest and most effective way to pinpoint the cause of the problem so we can being targeted treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cat Lab Testing
Understanding the “why” behind your cat’s diagnostics is important. Here are some common questions we hear from caring cat owners:
Why does my “healthy,” indoor cat need annual wellness lab work?
Because cats are masters at hiding illness, wellness screening is our best tool for proactive care. A seemingly healthy cat can be in the very early stages of a manageable disease like kidney or thyroid disease. Annual lab work can detect these conditions months or even years before your cat shows any outward symptoms, giving us the best possible chance to intervene and preserve their quality of life for years to come.
Is fasting required for my cat’s blood test?
For most routine wellness blood tests, we recommend fasting your cat for about 8–12 hours beforehand. This means no food after their evening meal, but water should always be available. Fasting ensures that recently digested fats and sugars don’t interfere with the results, giving us the most accurate “baseline” reading possible. We will always give you specific instructions when you schedule your appointment.
My cat is strictly indoors. Do they still need a fecal test for parasites?
Yes, we still recommend periodic fecal screening for indoor cats. While their risk is much lower, parasite eggs can be brought into the home on our shoes, on potting soil from houseplants, or even via insects like flies. It’s a simple, non-invasive screening that ensures these nutrient-stealing pests aren’t secretly impacting your cat’s health.
What’s the difference between a “normal” lab result and my cat’s “normal”?
Lab reports provide a “normal range” based on the average values for a large population of cats. However, what’s normal for one cat may not be normal for another. By performing wellness testing when your cat is young and healthy, we establish their own unique baseline. A result that is still within the “normal range” but has significantly changed from your cat’s personal baseline can be the very first sign of a developing problem, allowing for even earlier detection.
How do I collect a urine sample from my cat at home?
This is a great question! For a urinalysis, we need a clean, fresh sample. We can provide you with a special, non-absorbent litter to temporarily put in a clean, empty litter box. Once your cat uses the box, you can easily collect the urine with a provided pipette. It’s best to collect the sample on the morning of your appointment and bring it with you.
The vet said a lab result is “borderline.” What does that mean?
A “borderline” result is one that is not definitively abnormal, but is outside your cat’s established baseline or is hovering at the very edge of the normal range. It’s not usually a cause for immediate alarm. Instead, it’s valuable information that tells us we need to monitor that specific value more closely, perhaps by rechecking it in a few months, to see if a trend is developing.
By taking a look inside, we can provide a lifetime of proactive, thoughtful care for your feline companion.
To schedule a call about cat lab testing in San Marcos Veterinary Clinic, please call our friendly team at (760) 744-5400 or connect with us through our contact form.
