What is the minimum database for lab work in cats?
To me, the minimum database would include a complete blood count or what is commonly abbreviated as a CBC. This portion of the blood work lets me look at the cat's immune system, red blood cells, and white blood cells. It helps me identify whether there's any infection, anemia, or general problems with the immune system.
What other tests do you pair with the CBC?
I would pair that with what we call a comprehensive chemistry panel. This portion of the blood work allows me to look at organ function, including the pancreas, liver, some gastrointestinal areas, as well as the electrolytes. We also like to look at what's called a total T4, which helps us evaluate the cat's thyroid function. Lastly, a complete urinalysis allows us to make a complete picture of the cat's kidney function when paired with the other portions of the lab work, as well as rule out any signs of urinary tract infection or problems in the urinary tract itself.
Are there any lesser-known tests for cats?
Yes, there are some lesser-known blood work tests and other laboratory tests that we use for cats for annual screening or maybe just once-in-a-lifetime screening. The one that comes to mind first would be the feline leukemia and FIV test, often referred to as the feline combo test or combination test. Feline leukemia and FIV are both viral infections specific to cats. This testing is done with just a couple of drops of blood, and we generally recommend it for kittens when we first start seeing them early on in life. It can certainly be run at any other point if we think the cat has had a history of potential exposure to feline leukemia or FIV, or if their medical history lacks information about this testing and we suspect those viruses may be a problem.
What about fecal screening?
Lastly, I would mention fecal screening for intestinal parasites. Sometimes we think about that more commonly in dogs because many cats stay indoors, but cats are prone to intestinal parasitism just as much as dogs are, even indoor-only cats. For this kind of testing, we ask that an owner bring a stool sample with them when they come to their visit, and we like to test that once a year.
Why is lab work important for cats?
Lab work is important for all of my patients for the same reasons it's important for me when I go to my doctor. Performing annual blood work is a wonderful way to screen for early disease processes, and it allows us to have what we consider a historical database of information about that cat. This way, as we continue to run blood work annually, we're able to see trends. Young animals might not have problems initially, but we can monitor for any given parameter that might start to trend up over time, indicating early kidney dysfunction, or if a value consistently runs low, we may realize it's normal for that cat.
How often should lab work be done for cats?
We recommend the lab work be done annually for all cats, certainly up until the age of around eight years. After eight, most of us in this profession start to look at both cats and dogs over that age as falling into a senior pet category. I focus more on seeing if we're noticing any trends moving up or down over the cat's life. After age eight, I might start recommending lab work every six months or twice a year because illness happens quickly in cats, and they are notorious for hiding their illness. Lab work can show us trends earlier than the cat will display problems outwardly to the owner.
How is blood collected from cats?
There are two main ways that blood work is collected from cats. The most common and efficient way is through a vein in the neck. This is the same way we draw blood from our dog patients as well. It's a very good vein in most cats, allowing quick access to collect the large volume of blood needed with minimal stress. Alternatively, depending on the cat's health state and temperament, it might be easier to draw blood from the inside of the back leg. It's absolutely not painful; it's a single needle stick, similar to giving a vaccination, with very minimal or momentary reaction.
What about the stress or anxiety of the cat?
That depends on the disposition of the cat. Many cats I've seen are very calm, generally happy, and easygoing during a wellness exam and vaccinations. These cats do very well when we need to carefully restrain them to collect a blood sample. However, some cats tend to be anxious due to being in the car or hearing a barking dog in the lobby. For those cats, we generally recommend premedication before the appointment to reduce stress and allow us greater ease in collecting blood samples.
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