Blood testing is a tool commonly used by veterinarians. Blood tests are useful in diagnosis, screening and monitoring pre-existing health problems. Whenever your pet has a veterinary visit, we may recommend bloodwork if they are ill and sometimes even when they aren’t showing any symptoms of illness. The procedure is usually performed by our licensed technicians who are very skilled at taking blood samples and making it comfortable for your pet. To learn more about our diagnostic services, please call us at 705-434-2226.
What does a veterinarian look for in my pet’s bloodwork?
Our hospital is equipped with Idexx Catalyst One and a CBC analyzer used to learn your pet’s biochemistry and hematology. One of the most common types of hematology is the complete blood count (CBC). CBC shows the amount of red and white blood cells and platelets in the sample. When we fully understand the components of your pet’s blood we can determine how strong their immune defence is and the oxygen-carrying capacity (through the amount of hemoglobin). The other components of your pet’s blood shown in a blood test are:
- Glucose
- Cholesterol
- Proteins
- Electrolytes
- Endocrine levels
- Digestive enzymes
These chemistries indicate how well important organs like the liver, kidney and heart are functioning. Abnormal levels can diagnose anemia, clotting issues, blood cancers, heart disease, infections or reactions to medications.
When are blood tests necessary for my pet?
Our veterinarians recommend bloodwork on different occasions which may be any of the following:
- Your pet’s first veterinary visit. This initial information is kept on file to compare their blood levels in the future.
- When your pet is showing signs of illness. Symptoms like weight loss, diarrhea, skin rashes or vomiting etc. are usually investigated with blood tests. There are many diseases or conditions that can be diagnosed with bloodwork.
- Pre-anesthetic testing. Before your pet’s surgery we schedule bloodwork to determine how much anesthesia to use.
How are pet blood tests conducted?
All blood samples are processed at our in-house laboratory. We are capable of processing blood, urine, feces and skin samples for abnormalities. To draw blood our trained technicians carefully insert a needle into a vein on your pet’s leg or neck. It takes only a few minutes to get the sample.
