Hello, I’m Alex Shin, a pharmacist at Greycoat Research.

A blood test report can feel overwhelming. With so many unfamiliar terms, abbreviations, and numbers, it can be difficult to know where to begin. You do not need to understand every item on the report.

However, if your cat has chronic kidney disease, there are a few key values you should know.

When reviewing the results, check these two things first:

• Is the value outside the normal range?
• Is it moving in the wrong direction compared with previous results?

Today, I will explain the essential values to check in cats with Stage 2 and Stage 3 CKD.

6 Essential Values at a Glance

Stage 2 CKD

CREA
How well the kidneys are filtering waste

BUN
Waste buildup in the blood

K
Potassium for appetite and muscle strength

Stage 3 CKD

Check the three Stage 2 values, plus:

PHOS
Phosphorus that can build up as kidney function declines

HCO₃⁻
Whether the body is becoming too acidic

HCT
Whether anemia may be developing

Three Values to Check First in Stage 2 CKD

1. Creatinine — CREA

Creatinine is a key value that shows how well the kidneys are filtering waste. When kidney function declines, creatinine can build up in the blood.

Check whether it is outside the normal range and whether it continues to rise compared with previous results.

2. BUN

BUN can rise when the kidneys are not removing waste from the blood effectively. When BUN rises, some cats may have poor appetite, nausea, or vomiting.

If BUN has increased, also look for changes in appetite, vomiting, and water intake.

3. Potassium — K

Potassium is important for appetite, energy, and muscle strength. Low potassium may cause poor appetite, low energy, constipation, weak legs, or changes in the way a cat walks.

If your cat suddenly eats less or appears weak, check the potassium level.

Three Additional Values to Check in Stage 3 CKD

In Stage 3 CKD, check creatinine, BUN, and potassium along with the following three values.

4. Phosphorus — PHOS

Phosphorus is a mineral that can build up as kidney function declines. If phosphorus continues to rise, kidney disease can become more difficult to manage.

If phosphorus is trending upward, check whether your cat’s current diet and phosphorus management are keeping it under control.

5. Bicarbonate — HCO₃⁻

Bicarbonate helps show whether too much acid is building up in the body. When this value is low, a cat may lose appetite and energy and may also lose weight and muscle mass.

If your cat’s appetite or weight continues to decline, check the HCO₃⁻ level.

6. Hematocrit — HCT

HCT helps show whether your cat may be anemic. When HCT is low, a cat may have less energy and appetite, become less active, or have pale gums.

If your cat appears weak or the gums look pale, check the HCT level. This value may also appear as PCV on the blood test report.

Check Both the Normal Range and the Trend

Do not look only at whether a value falls within the normal range. Compare each value with previous blood test results and look for a consistent worsening trend. A change in a single test does not always mean that your cat’s condition has worsened.

грамо standard paragraph spacing ...

However, if repeated blood tests continue to show worsening values, it may be a sign that the current care is no longer enough. This may mean that the renal diet, hydration, medications, supplements, appetite, and vomiting need to be managed more actively.

Consistent Daily Care Is Most Important

Kidney care is not about one special treatment or a one-time effort. It is about doing the basics consistently, every day. Keep your cat on a renal diet and give all planned medications and supplements as scheduled.

Frequently stopping or changing the routine can make it more difficult to keep your cat stable. Consistent daily care is the foundation of CKD management.

Do Not Hesitate to Force-Feed When Appetite Drops

Poor appetite in a cat with CKD may be more than simple picky eating. It may be a sign of dehydration, nausea, waste buildup, low potassium, acidosis, or anemia.

If your cat is not eating enough, do not simply wait for their appetite to return. Begin force-feeding and have your cat examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible.

When a cat continues to eat too little, they can quickly lose weight and muscle mass.

Prompt force-feeding and veterinary care can help prevent further decline and protect your cat’s health.

Best,
Alex Shin
Pharmacist
Greycoat Research

[Educational Disclaimer]

This content is provided for general educational and informational purposes only.
It is not intended as a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Please consult your veterinarian regarding your cat’s health and before making any changes to your cat’s diet, supplements, or care routine.