Ask a Vet with Dr. Sam: What exactly do veterinarians look for when they do blood work?

My veterinarian occasionally recommends blood work for my cat who is fairly young and healthy. Her blood work came back normal which is great but I don’t really understand when and why blood work is recommended. What exactly do veterinarians look for when they do blood work?

Cats are very good at concealing illnesses, which means that disease may be present in cats that appear to be healthy. To avoid diseases and medical conditions from going unnoticed and causing permanent damage to your pet, you can preemptively test for illnesses in your cats through screening blood tests. Different types of blood work can tell a vet different things about your feline’s health.

A blood chemistry panel is a collection of tests that measure organ function. This test will evaluate liver values, kidney values, blood glucose, calcium, protein levels, and electrolytes.

Complete Blood Count (CBC) is a type of blood test that analyzes the red and white blood cells and platelets in your cat’s bloodstream. The test also provides information on the size and shape of these different cells. as well as if there are any abnormal cells in your cat’s bloodstream.

Thyroid levels will often be measured in older cats to test for hyperthyroidism, a common ailment in senior felines.

Urine and stool samples can be tested for a complete health profile.

There is also a blood test to screen for two viral infections that cats can contract, feline leukemia (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). This test is is often performed by shelters on all new cats and kittens. This is important information to know before adding a new cat or kitten to your home.

All of these different types of lab work share one thing in common: they test the health of your cat and help screen your pet for underlying diseases. Along with a complete physical exam, bloodwork can offer a more complete picture of your cat’s health status. Your vet may recommend getting baseline lab work when your cat is young and healthy. As your cat gets older, it may be necessary to run more extensive lab work more frequently.

For more information on bloodwork, talk to your pet’s veterinarian.

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