Dr. Amanda German
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital

How does a baseline lab test affect the health and well-being of a cat?

A baseline lab test doesn't directly impact the health of a cat, but it helps us determine any changes if the cat ever gets sick.

Under what circumstances might my cat need lab work done?

Lab work may be required if your cat is acting sick, about to undergo surgery, or needs to be sedated in any way.

What are some potential cat health conditions that lab work can help detect?

Lab work can help detect a variety of conditions including hyperthyroidism, diabetes, early kidney disease, parasites/worms, or even a urinary tract infection.

What specific aspects are examined in my cat's blood work and what do they indicate about my cat's health?

Your cat's blood work, we look at a number of things. A complete blood count (CBC) is performed to check for anemia or infection, while a chemistry panel is done to check for liver, kidney, thyroid, or endocrine diseases. A urinalysis is also performed to ensure proper kidney function and absence of urinary tract infections. Lastly, a fecal exam is done to check for any intestinal parasites.

Is blood work alone sufficient to diagnose cat illnesses accurately?

Not always, but in many cases blood work is highly diagnostic.

Why is early detection and diagnosis of cat illnesses using lab work crucial?

Early detection and diagnosis are important because the longer it takes to diagnose a condition, the harder it may be to treat it.

If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (407) 896-0941, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram

Cat Lab Work - FAQs 1

Dr. Amanda German
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital

When will my veterinarian order lab work for my cat?

This depends on a variety of factors. It could be during their first visit to check for worms, if they're coming in because they're sick, or if we think they're going to need to be sedated for any reason.

What is a baseline lab test and why is it so important?

A baseline lab test is conducted when they're healthy, and we're drawing blood to confirm everything looks good. We prefer to have these values at hand if they ever fall sick so we can compare and see what's amiss.

Can blood work provide a diagnosis for my cat?

Yes, in many situations, blood work can be very diagnostic.

Do blood tests detect cat cancer?

No, unfortunately, there aren't many diagnostics for cancer when it comes to just doing blood work.

How effective are lab tests in cats?

Lab tests are very effective for certain things, so we like to conduct them to rule out certain diagnostics.

What lab tests do veterinarians often use?

Most of the time, we use blood work, urinalysis, or fecal tests.

What lab tests are the most accurate and why?

The accuracy of lab tests depends on what we're looking for. For instance, a urinalysis is most diagnostic if we're investigating a urinary tract infection (UTI). A fecal test is best for detecting worms. If we're looking for kidney disease or liver disease, then blood work is the most effective.

How does my veterinarian decide which lab tests to order for my cat?

This decision is decided by what we're looking for and what's going on with the patient.

If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (407) 896-0941, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram

Cat Lab Work - FAQs 2

Dr. Amanda German
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital

How is blood drawn from my cat?

Typically when we're drawing blood from a cat, we're drawing it from a leg or from their neck.

Is the sample collection painful for my cat?

Not at all. The process is designed to be as comfortable as possible for your cat.

How is the safety of my cat ensured when getting lab work done?

We ensure your cat's safety by holding them to prevent movement while a needle is present.

Why might my kitten need lab work done?

Lab work for kittens might be necessary if they are sick, if we're testing for worms, or if there's anything else that we're concerned with.

Why might my healthy adult cat need lab work done?

Even for healthy adult cats, lab work is done to ensure everything is stable and to catch any new issues that might be developing.

Why might my senior cat need lab work done?

As cats get older, their bodies start to break down. Lab work allows us to monitor this and ensure things aren't getting worse.

Will follow-up lab work need to be done on my cat?

Follow-up lab work might sometimes be necessary, depending on the condition of your cat.

If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (407) 896-0941, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram