There are several instances when your veterinarian may suggest performing blood tests on your cat. These may include testing for viral diseases; before surgery, to determine if your cat's organs are healthy enough to handle the anesthetic; and also to determine the cause of your cat's illness.
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Viral Tests
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Feline leukemia (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) are two of the most common viral infections that your veterinarian may test for. These are both highly contagious and extremely dangerous. Blood tests can determine whether your cat has either of these diseases and what stage they are.
CBC
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A CBC, complete blood count, is used to evaluate the number of red and white blood cells in the body. A high level of white blood cells usually indicates a systemic infection; low red cell counts usually indicate anemia.
Blood Glucose
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A blood glucose level is used to determine the amount of sugar in your cat's blood. A high sugar level usually indicates diabetes; however, there are several other diseases that may cause an elevated sugar level. A low level of sugar in the blood could indicate liver disease or a problem with the adrenal gland.
T-4 Test
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Hyperthyroidism is a relatively common condition affecting older cats. A high level of thyroid hormone in your cats' blood is indicative of this disease. A T-4 test is a specific blood test that measures thyroid levels.
Serum Panel
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Your vet may order a serum panel prior to administering anesthetic or to help determine the cause of your cat's illness. Elevated levels of serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, or SGPT, may indicate a problem with your cat's liver, and an elevated blood urea nitrogen/creatinine will indicate a problem with your cat's kidneys. There are several other blood values that can be determined by a serum panel.
Blood tests are an important part of the diagnostic process and to determine base levels for future comparison.
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