In addition to blood glucose, which laboratory test is crucial for assessing a cat's diabetic status?

Assessing a cat's diabetic status requires more than just monitoring blood glucose levels. The presence of urine ketones is a crucial laboratory test in this context because it indicates whether the cat is in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). DKA occurs when insulin levels are insufficient to allow glucose to enter the cells, leading to the body breaking down fat for energy, which produces ketones as a byproduct.

High levels of ketones in the urine signify that the cat may be experiencing a severe insulin deficiency or that the diabetes is poorly managed, potentially putting the cat at risk for serious health complications. Therefore, measuring urine ketones provides valuable information about the metabolic state of the cat, allowing for timely intervention and management of their diabetes.

Other tests, like hematocrit or blood urea nitrogen (BUN), while important in various contexts, do not provide the same direct insight into the cat's diabetic status and the potential for ketoacidosis. Blood lactate levels can indicate tissue hypoxia but do not offer specific information about diabetic control or ketosis, making urine ketones a more relevant and crucial marker in this scenario.