Lab Work for Cats

Cats can make complicated patients- they are good at hiding signs of disease, infection, and injury so they are not vulnerable (a protective instinct that even house cats still have). Because of this, we have to use different tactics to gather information, including physical exam and history of how the cat is doing at home, grooming and elimination behaviors, as well as lab results that help provide a vivid window inside the cat’s body and how its internal organs behave. 

Lab Work Fundamentals

Two primary sources of sampling help with feline lab work: blood and urine. Both carry a tremendous amount of proteins and material that can be used to identify conditions, sickness, organ health, and the status of the cat internally. This is particularly applicable regarding the condition of the liver and kidney as well as the heart and digestion. Stool samples often identify parasites or foreign materials in the stomach or intestines. Urine provides samples of what’s going on with hydration, kidney filtering, and liver health. Blood provides a clear window into a variety of conditions, most importantly infections via white blood cell counts. Scans of these samples provide a library of working data for a veterinarian to use in diagnosis.

Cats and Their Common Issues

Feline patients are very prone to ear infections and eye issues, even though they typically seem to be functioning just fine. While a physical exam could catch signs of infections via seepage or visible swelling, lab work such as a blood test of samples taken by a vet often provides a clear view into exactly what is going on as well as the type of infection as well.

Lab Work for Cats in Oak Park, IL

The Cat Practice can obtain samples that are sent to a nearby lab that can provide a wide range of diagnostic testing and tools for interpretation. We can take radiographs and set up ultrasounds with specialists in house. We can also do in house testing for viral disease and blood sugar testing for diabetic patients.

Call (708) 383-5997 to schedule an appointment and full exam, especially if your cat's behavior has changed recently. If there's more going on than your cat is letting on, our lab work can get answers.