Blood Testing and Urinalysis

What is wellness blood testing and urinalysis for my pet?

Wellness testing, which typically includes blood and urine analysis, is a valuable addition to your pet’s physical exam. In young, healthy pets, wellness testing gives us important baseline information. Since many tests have a range of what is considered “normal,” having baseline values means that we can pick up on small changes in organ function sooner and begin treatment before the problem snowballs into something more serious.  Many cats, dogs, small animals and repitles are very good at masking symptoms of disease – by the time they stop eating and look sick, they are often very, very ill. Pet wellness testing helps us find the problems before they progress far enough to make your pet miserable.

Why do I have to check a urinalysis? Isn’t the blood work enough? 

• “Liquid Gold” is as valuable & gives almost as much info as blood screens
• If taken at the same time as the blood sample, urine concentration gives necessary info for determining whether elevations in kidney values are simple dehydration or something more worrisome like early kidney disease. In essence it makes the blood values more “valuable” for wellness screening.
• By the time kidney values become elevated on blood work 75% of kidney function has been lost. Following new recommendations from the International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) we look for blood values at certain ranges (still normal on the scale) in combination with a certain concentration of urine. If the values fall within this range we recommend an additional urine test call a urine protein to creatinine ratio (UPC). If results are consistent with kidney disease we start a kidney diet immediately. This often allows us to start treatment months/years earlier, thus preserving remaining kidney function.
• Protein increases in urine can be a good warning for early kidney disease allowing early treatment with diet. Diet alone can often make a big difference and can slow the progression of disease. Protein elevation can also be an early warning for Lyme disease or high blood pressure.
• Urine bilirubin is a better indication of early liver disease (more sensitive than blood)
• Urinary tract infections (UTI) are common in older or immuno-compromised pets, while not all pets show clinical signs, these infections can be devastating for kidneys if left untreated. UTI can also lead to formation of stones, which can result in urinary obstruction or surgery.
• Crystals are a common urinary problem, and not just in cats. These crystals are precursors to painful urinary stones. Obstruction by crystals or small stones can be very expensive, or fatal if untreated.
• Can help with the diagnosis of diabetes if sugar (glucose) is present. Urinalysis also checks for the presence ofketones, an indication of severe diabetes.
• If casts are present this can increase the suspicion of a kidney infection (nephritis), since the white blood cell count in blood is often not elevated until the disease becomes severe.