How Vets Interpret a Cat Blood Test

A feline blood test looks at several factors. Depending on which illness your pet is being tested for, not all of these values will be important, but understanding what each means can help you learn more about your cat's health.

Albumin (ALB)

Albumin is the main protein in the blood and a general measure of overall health. A normal range is 2.2 to 4.4.

Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)

This is an enzyme in liver and heart cells released into the bloodstream in the instance of damage to the liver or heart. Elevated levels could indicate liver damage or heart trauma, although some medications can raise these levels. A normal range is 20-100.

Amylase (AMY)

Amylase is an enzyme in the pancreas and salivary glands that aids in the digestion of starches. Elevation of amylase levels can indicate pancreatitis or chronic renal insufficiency. Normal range is 300 to 1100.

Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)

This measures urea, the nitrogen-heavy waste products from the kidneys, in the blood. Elevated levels could indicate bleeding ulcers and internal bleeding or be an early indicator of kidney failure. Normal range is 14 to 36.

Creatine Phosphokinase (CPK)

CPK is the first enzyme elevated after a heart attack and can be very useful in diagnosing heart problems and skeletal muscles. A normal range is 56 to 529.

Creatinine (CRE)

Creatinine is a waste product produced from muscle breakdown. As with blood urea nitrogen, elevated levels can indicate potential kidney failure. Normal range is 0.6 to 2.4.

Globulin (GLOB)

As with albumin, globulin is a good measure of protein in the blood. Globulin is a protein that is very important in fighting diseases and is a good indicator of overall healthy in your cat. A healthy range is 1.5 to 5.7.

Glucose (GLU)

Glucose is a measure of your cat's blood sugar level. Elevated levels can be an indicator of diabetes. A normal level is 70 to 150.

Hemoglobin (HB)

Hemoglobin binds to oxygen in your cat's red blood cells so it may be carried to his organs and muscles. Decreased levels can indicate anemia and increased levels can be an indicator of lung disease or other illnesses that reduce lung capacity. A normal range is 9.5 to 15.0.

Phosphorus (PHOS)

Elevated phosphorus levels can be an early indicator of kidney disease. Lowered levels can be due to improper thyroid function. A normal range is 3.4 to 5.8.

Potassium (K+)

Potassium is crucial to a properly functioning central nervous and cardiovascular system. Any value outside of normal range requires further evaluation. A normal range is 2.4 to 8.2.

Bilirubin (TBIL)

Jaundice is caused by increased levels of bilirubin in the blood. This can indicate problems with the liver or gall bladder, which regulate the production of bilirubin. Normal levels are 0.1 to 0.6.

White Blood Cells (WBC)

White blood cells fight infections. Thus, increased levels can indicate the body is fighting off an infection. White blood cell count is often used to detect types of cancer. A normal range is 5.0 to 18.0.

Blood tests can also test for red blood cell count and distribution, cholesterol, sodium and calcium. Depending on your cat's symptoms, not all of these tests may be important, but blood tests provide veterinarians with the information they need to begin to diagnose illnesses in your cat.

 

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