Despite the misconception of cats being aloof and solitary, owners often have a deep bond with their cats, and prioritize their health, happiness, and well-being above all else. One crucial aspect of ensuring your cat's health is understanding their individual healthy baseline, which allows you to track any changes over time. Regular blood work is an invaluable tool in achieving this goal. It helps you understand your cat's current health status and offers insights into potential health issues on the horizon.
To empower cat owners to take a more proactive approach to their cat’s health, we’ll be diving into the significance of establishing a cat’s baseline, blood drawing procedures and deciphering lab results. This knowledge can help you make informed decisions about your feline friend's health. Let’s get started!
Why Knowing Your Cat’s Baseline Is So Important
Let's start with the basics: What does a "baseline" mean in veterinary medicine?
In simple terms, a baseline refers to your cat's "normal" health and function. - Every cat has a unique baseline, shaped by their health history and individual bodily function. Veterinarians establish these baselines through lab work, which provides a snapshot of your cat's overall health. Understanding your cat's baseline helps to detect any abnormalities early, especially when your cat shows no obvious signs of illness.
Baseline tests are essential for veterinarians. These tests give a reference point for your cat's health. If your cat develops health issues later on, comparing current blood work to previous results allows us to identify changes or trends and determine whether the condition is new or part of an ongoing problem.
Blood Work and Baseline Tests
Cats are naturally stoic, making it challenging to detect illnesses in their early stages. This is where blood work can come in and reveal if your cat is struggling with any medical issues. Routine annual blood tests for adult and senior cats help identify hidden diseases that may not yet show physical symptoms. Regular testing allows us to truly embrace preventative care and catch any health issues or complications early on to help your cat live a longer and happier life.
The most common baseline tests for cats include a Complete Blood Count (CBC), a chemistry panel, and a urinalysis. A Complete Blood Count evaluates a cat's red and white blood cells while a chemistry panel evaluates overall organ function, including the liver, kidneys, and electrolyte levels. A urinalysis helps detect urinary tract infections as well as any abnormalities with our cat's urine production.
Veterinary clinics offer a variety of lab tests. If you have questions or concerns about the specific tests your veterinarian recommends for your cat, don't hesitate to ask.
When Is Blood Work Necessary for Cats?
Blood work is necessary for various reasons. It can be a routine check-up to evaluate your cat's overall health, or it may be used to diagnose an illness or investigate new symptoms.
In some cases, blood work can help provide veterinarians with enough information to provide a solid diagnosis of your cat’s underlying medical conditions. For example, if certain markers appear on your cat’s blood work results, that might indicate certain forms of cancer, and allow your veterinarian to proceed with additional focused diagnostics tests.
What Cat Blood Work Entails
What to Expect: The procedure of drawing blood from cats is similar to a blood draw at a human doctor's office. A needle is inserted into a vein, typically in the cat's leg or neck, and blood is collected.
What Your Cat will Feel: Many pet owners are concerned about their cat feeling pain, and may be apprehensive about having their cat’s blood work done regularly. But don’t worry; cats may feel a slight pinch, but the discomfort is brief and dissipates once the needle is removed. It’s nearly the same needle prick feeling that you may experience at your own doctor’s visits – and it’s over in a flash!
Blood Work and What It Can Tell Us About Cat Health
Veterinarians may order additional test to gain a more complete understanding of your cat's health. These include:
- Thyroid Hormone Levels: Measuring thyroid hormone levels helps to diagnose conditions like hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) or hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). Thyroid imbalances can affect metabolism, heart function, and overall well-being, meaning they should be identified and addressed as early as possible.
- Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) Testing: This test detects the presence of these viruses, which weaken the immune system and increase the risk of infections and certain cancers in cats. These viruses are contagious to other cats and can be more common in stray cats or cats living outside. Veterinarians will commonly conduct this type of testing on a cat’s first vet visit or after a stray cat has been adopted.
- Blood Pressure Measurement: High blood pressure (hypertension) is common in older cats and can lead to damage to vital organs such as the eyes, kidneys, and heart. Blood pressure measurement, combine with blood work, can help diagnose and manage hypertension, allowing them to live a longer, healthier life.
Have a Healthier Cat By Knowing Their Baseline
Understanding your cat’s baseline health and complying with regular blood work recommendations is a cornerstone of great cat care and can help your fluffy friend live their life to the fullest. When you and your veterinarian know what’s normal for your cat, you can better identify abnormalities and get your cat the medical attention they need.
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