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  • If you are concerned about the health of your cat and are suspicious she has a disease, it is best to take her to a veterinarian for an examination. The doctor can perform a plethora of diagnostic tests that can determine what may be ailing your kitty.

    Examination

    The first step in diagnosing any disease begins with a thorough examination. The veterinarian will look into your cat's eyes, ears and mouth and listen to her chest and lungs with a stethoscope. In addition, he will palpate her body to check for obvious growths. Providing the veterinarian with a complete history of your cat, along with symptoms she displays, will help the doctor decide which diagnostic tests to perform.

    Blood, Urine and Fecal Tests

    Your veterinarian most likely will perform tests on your cat's blood, urine and stool. A basic chemistry panel will check many different organs in your cat, including the liver and kidneys. Blood work is extremely helpful in diagnosing cat diseases because it allows the doctor to know what is going on inside the cat's body without being too invasive. Blood tests also can check for feline leukemia, FIV, toxoplasmosis, thyroid problems, diabetes and other common diseases that affect cats. A complete blood count, or CBC, is also helpful in detecting infection and anemia. Urine tests can identify certain problems going on in the body, such as kidney conditions, and also can indicate whether or not there is a problem with the urine, including if crystals are present. If your cat has diarrhea or is suspected of having parasites, the doctor may run tests on her stool.

    Radiographs

    The use of radiographs are helpful when trying to identify suspected internal issues. Radiographs can be used to check the size of the liver, heart and kidneys and to diagnose tumors, bladder stones and arthritis. Radiographs are non-invasive and typically not painful because the cat just needs to lie still.

    Ultrasounds

    Your veterinarian may recommend the use of ultrasounds to diagnose your cat's disease. Ultrasounds are used to evaluate the internal organs. Abdominal ultrasounds are usually indicated in cases of chronic vomiting or diarrhea, weight loss and urinary issues. They are also helpful with cases in which tumors or organ abnormalities are suspected. Cardiac ultrasounds, or echocardiograms, are helpful is determining abnormalities in the heart.

    Source:

    Doctors Foster and Smith, PetEducation.com: Health & Veterinary Care for Older Cats

    PetPlace.com: Abdominal Ultrasound in Cats

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