Cat blood/urine tests
Discussion
About a few months ago my cat stopped using his litter box and would only pee outside or one of the sofas. He craps in it though.
The box is always kept really clean and I use the same type of litter so I thought I'd buy a new box of a different
style to see if that would help, it didn't make any difference.
I decided to take him to the vet just to get him checked out, all was well until they weighed him. His normal weight is
4.5 kilos, he was down to 3.8. They ran some blood and urine tests and told me it looked like he was having some kidney
trouble. I can't remember if they said failure and I didn't feel like asking.
I'm annoyed for not taking him sooner but I really thought it was a behavioural thing, he's had some issues in the past
with peeing where he shouldn't.
Anyway, he's now on this medicine and special renal food.
It took him nearly 3 days to get back to his normal self after the blood/urine tests, are they quite an ordeal for a cat? he's 17, almost 18.
This was 5 weeks ago, we're back at the vet this week for some follow up tests. Is it wise to get the blood/urine done again or should I wait a while?
Here he is...
The box is always kept really clean and I use the same type of litter so I thought I'd buy a new box of a different
style to see if that would help, it didn't make any difference.
I decided to take him to the vet just to get him checked out, all was well until they weighed him. His normal weight is
4.5 kilos, he was down to 3.8. They ran some blood and urine tests and told me it looked like he was having some kidney
trouble. I can't remember if they said failure and I didn't feel like asking.
I'm annoyed for not taking him sooner but I really thought it was a behavioural thing, he's had some issues in the past
with peeing where he shouldn't.
Anyway, he's now on this medicine and special renal food.
It took him nearly 3 days to get back to his normal self after the blood/urine tests, are they quite an ordeal for a cat? he's 17, almost 18.
This was 5 weeks ago, we're back at the vet this week for some follow up tests. Is it wise to get the blood/urine done again or should I wait a while?
Here he is...
Follow your vets advice but it would not be wrong to test again. Treatment for renal issues is so much better than it used to be, so if the readings weren't too elevated there is a chance of stabilising the kidneys.
It's difficult to see these things esp when there's been a problem in the past, you shouldn't be too harsh on yourself. People often think I'm being over the top by saying a pet should have a vet cbeck for something that seems behavioural.
I hope he responds to treatment, all the best.
It's difficult to see these things esp when there's been a problem in the past, you shouldn't be too harsh on yourself. People often think I'm being over the top by saying a pet should have a vet cbeck for something that seems behavioural.
I hope he responds to treatment, all the best.
bexVN said:
Follow your vets advice but it would not be wrong to test again. Treatment for renal issues is so much better than it used to be, so if the readings weren't too elevated there is a chance of stabilising the kidneys.
It's difficult to see these things esp when there's been a problem in the past, you shouldn't be too harsh on yourself. People often think I'm being over the top by saying a pet should have a vet cbeck for something that seems behavioural.
I hope he responds to treatment, all the best.
Thanks. I think the blood tests were kind of marginal, ISTR there were 3 readings and only one was slightly high, then they did the urine tests which showed up the issue. I'll get more info tomorrow as we're back to the vets.It's difficult to see these things esp when there's been a problem in the past, you shouldn't be too harsh on yourself. People often think I'm being over the top by saying a pet should have a vet cbeck for something that seems behavioural.
I hope he responds to treatment, all the best.
Are these tests harsh on a cat? it took him about 3 days before he was back to normal the last time. Maybe he was just pi55ed at me for taking him to the vets and sulked for a bit.
At least he likes the special food.
No they should not be, however if he is not 100% well and if he did object to his bloods and urine being taken it may have upset him/ stressed him so it may have affected him. Though 3 days is a long time. I'd only have expected him to be a bit silky fir the rest of that day!
The urine is the most relevant and even marginally blood readings will be significant if abnormal urine. Blood results only show high readings once 70% of the kidneys are damaged. This is irreversible but special diets and sometimes medicines can improve results and reduce further damage for quite a Kong time. It may be worth seeing if they think checking his blood pressure. Some cats with renal issues can get hypertension due to an increase in their BP.
The urine is the most relevant and even marginally blood readings will be significant if abnormal urine. Blood results only show high readings once 70% of the kidneys are damaged. This is irreversible but special diets and sometimes medicines can improve results and reduce further damage for quite a Kong time. It may be worth seeing if they think checking his blood pressure. Some cats with renal issues can get hypertension due to an increase in their BP.
bexVN said:
No they should not be, however if he is not 100% well and if he did object to his bloods and urine being taken it may have upset him/ stressed him so it may have affected him. Though 3 days is a long time. I'd only have expected him to be a bit silky fir the rest of that day!
The urine is the most relevant and even marginally blood readings will be significant if abnormal urine. Blood results only show high readings once 70% of the kidneys are damaged. This is irreversible but special diets and sometimes medicines can improve results and reduce further damage for quite a Kong time. It may be worth seeing if they think checking his blood pressure. Some cats with renal issues can get hypertension due to an increase in their BP.
OK some good news I think bex, the vet did some blood tests and the urea reading was down to 13.9 from 18.4 last time and his creatinine and phosphate(I think) levels were normal. He thought this was good and that the medicine and food were obviously working. They gave me a kit to collect a pee sample and they've sent this off for analysis.The urine is the most relevant and even marginally blood readings will be significant if abnormal urine. Blood results only show high readings once 70% of the kidneys are damaged. This is irreversible but special diets and sometimes medicines can improve results and reduce further damage for quite a Kong time. It may be worth seeing if they think checking his blood pressure. Some cats with renal issues can get hypertension due to an increase in their BP.
He was fine after we came back this time so I think the taking of the urine sample direct from his bladder may have annoyed him.
After the nurse complimented him on looking young for his age he then went and bit her as the vet was trying to get blood from his neck. Gratitude.
Oops! We nurses don't take it personally 
That is an excellent result and yes definitely shows a good response to the treatment.
If he was cross enough to bite a nurse today I can certainly see why he'd have been really put our last time!
I hope he continues to respond well.
Oh and apologies for the poorly written last post. I'm not always good a checking them before submitting. I really should esp when using my phone!
That is an excellent result and yes definitely shows a good response to the treatment.
If he was cross enough to bite a nurse today I can certainly see why he'd have been really put our last time!
I hope he continues to respond well.
Oh and apologies for the poorly written last post. I'm not always good a checking them before submitting. I really should esp when using my phone!
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