Breed and species doesn’t make them Immune to Disease-Variety in anatomy is the Difference.

 Whether it’s a human, cat, dog, rabbit, Zoo Animal or even an exotic species, their organs, blood, and immune responses function on the same basic principles as humans. The differences are mostly anatomical or physiological, like how their kidneys filter differently, their liver metabolizes faster or slower, or how their blood cells look under a microscope.

So even though the “shape” of the system can vary, diseases still follow the same biological rules: infections, inflammation, organ stress, metabolic imbalances affect them all in real ways.

Symbolic Notation: 

It’s like saying humans and cats both have plumbing and wiring in a house the layout differs, but leaks or shorts still cause problems in both!

The importance of bloodwork proper interpretation of it, is the the guidance to determining an appropriate medical plan - prevention suggestions or medical intervention. 

For example: Bloodwork on a cat with kidney renal problems- It's Purpose: 

Cats aren’t immune to disease, and they are tuned differently. They have:

  • Kidneys that concentrate urine more aggressively - sensitive to High levels of phosphorus and salt
  • Immune systems that mask inflammation longer
  • Stress responses that skew labs fast
  • Metabolisms that react strongly to meds like prednisolone (PSL)

So when something shows up on bloodwork, it’s not “normal for cats”  it’s physiology reacting under strain.



Immune cells: Their patterns or pairing are significant

High Neutrophils 

This is the immune system saying: “Something is stressing or inflaming the body.”

Common causes in cats:

  • Systemic inflammation
  • Infection (even subclinical)
  • Stress leukogram
  • Steroid effect (PSL pushes neutrophils up)

Low/trace lymphocytes- This pairs with neutrophilia and strongly suggests:

  • stress response
  • steroid suppression
  • Not immune failure — >immune redistribution.

Trace eosinophils--> Allergies/parasites usually push eosinophils up, not leave them trace.

-An indicator that change is needed to diet, environment, or further diagnostic if it's secondary to an underlying medical issue.  


 RBC & WBC on the high-end: concentration matters

High-normal or elevated RBCs and WBCs often mean:

  • plasma volume is low
  • blood is more “concentrated”

That points to: Dehydration

This is crucial because dehydration artificially worsens kidney values. However if cat is consuming water and yet levels still show dehydration it can indicate a more serious issues such as:  

Stressed or damaged kidneys:

  • let water pass straight through
  • produce dilute urine
  • cause ongoing fluid loss

Osmotic diuresis (high solutes): Importance of Prescribed diets High levels of: 

  • Urea (BUN), Creatinine
  • calcium
  • sodium

Pull water into the urine. Think of it like- > solutes dragging water out with them

  • Steroid (PSL) effect Prednisolone can:
  • increase thirst
  • increase urination
  • shift fluids out of tissues
  • Raw diets/ Homemade diets
    • Improper Mineral load
    • High in phosphorus-> Phosphorus worsens kidney workload
    • Calcium/phosphorus imbalance  diet isn’t properly formulated
    • Home-prepared or boutique raw diets vary wildly
    • One batch off → electrolyte or nutrient shifts

So intake goes up, but net hydration doesn’t improve.

Poor cellular hydration

Blood may look concentrated while:

  • Cells are dry
  • Tissues aren’t holding fluid

Eating beforehand:

-  Does NOT meaningfully elevate creatinine

- Does NOT explain high end value BUN 

So this is real azotemia, not a lab artifact.

Cats are very good at looking okay while kidneys are struggling.

 Electrolytes tell the same story

High sodium strongly suggests: dehydration- water loss > sodium loss

High calcium often seen with: dehydration, kidney dysfunction->reduced renal excretion

When calcium and creatinine rise together, that’s not coincidence — the kidneys are involved.

Properly read lab patterns says:

  • Immune system is reacting appropriately
  • Blood is concentrated
  • Kidneys are under measurable stress
  • Species/breed does not make this benign

These are physiologic consequences, not over-interpretation

Appropriate Clinic measures include:  

  • Run urinalysis (USG is key) and or do a Urine Culture- They are different but both equally important based on Bloodwork readings. 
  • Consider fluids (IV or SQ)
  • Recheck labs after rehydration
  • Evaluate PSL dose/necessity
If values improve with fluids → pre-renal component
If not → intrinsic renal disease likely present

Appropriate for owner to do adapt and adjust nutrition to pet needs. 

- Keep track of urine output and colour - invest in white litter even if it means trace sands 

- No more treats, table food, or fad trends- focus on managing your pet's disease save your money for appropriate prescribed diet, checkups, bloodwork, urine testing which is a necessity when dealing with pets and medial conditions

- Watch pet weight 

-Water fountains- to encourage hydration, prepare for your self control and training for both your pet and yourself as you will need to find a new way of communication and adapt to a new diet 

- Continue preventative care measures

Resources: 

Buffington, C. A. T. (2011). Idiopathic cystitis in domestic cats—Beyond the lower urinary tract. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 25(4), 784–796. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-1676.2011.0732.x

Cowell, R. L., Tyler, R. D., Meinkoth, J. H., & DeNicola, D. B. (2014). Diagnostic cytology and hematology of the dog and cat (4th ed.). Elsevier.

Ettinger, S. J., Feldman, E. C., & Côté, E. (2017). Textbook of veterinary internal medicine (8th ed.). Elsevier.

Harvey, J. W. (2012). Veterinary hematology: A diagnostic guide and color atlas. Elsevier Saunders.

Litster, A., & Moss, S. M. (2012). Feline bacterial urinary tract infections. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 42(4), 721–735. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvsm.2012.04.006

Stockham, S. L., & Scott, M. A. (2008). Fundamentals of veterinary clinical pathology (2nd ed.). Blackwell Publishing.

Thrall, M. A., Weiser, G., Allison, R. W., & Campbell, T. W. (2012). Veterinary hematology and clinical chemistry (2nd ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.


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