Early Detection Blood Work….blood panels we run on pets that generally appear healthy on the outside.
Even dogs and cats that appear completely healthy on the outside can have hidden health problems on the inside. When pets are sick, they can’t tell us what’s wrong. That is where laboratory testing comes into play. If these problems are left undetected, they can lead to serious, even life-threatening conditions
Blood tests are essential tools for identifying diseases at the earliest stage possible when they are the most treatable.
Wellness testing is not just for dogs and cats who are ill. On a healthy pet, establishing a baseline picture of what represents good health for your individual pet is important when he or she becomes ill at a later time. When basic laboratory testing is done as part of your pet’s annual examination, those values are recorded. Your veterinarian can review your pet’s health record at each subsequent exam and spot any abnormalities or trends sooner, often before serious disease can develop.
Routine early-detection blood work for an adult dog or cat includes a complete blood count, biochemical profile, electrolytes and heartworm tests. For dogs and cats 7 years and older, the wellness profile includes everything above in much greater detail as well as thyroid screening and urinalysis.
Early detection testing can also make sure your pet is healthy enough to take certain medications, particularly those that can affect their kidneys or liver.
Wellness testing is also done before anesthesia is administered for any surgery or dental procedure, as an essential part of patient evaluation. Your veterinarian will decide which tests are most important to run on your dog or cat.
If you have any further questions on early detection blood work, please feel free to ask any of our friendly team members. We are here to help you and to help your pet live a longer, healthier, happier life.