Blood tests for dogs and cats

Blood tests for dogs and cats are valuable diagnostic tools used by veterinarians to check your pet’s overall health, detect diseases, and monitor for changes in disease.

These tests are important for both healthy and sick pets because they help your veterinarian track your pet’s health and find the appropriate treatment or management strategy if any abnormalities are found.

What are blood tests for dogs and cats?

Blood tests for dogs and cats are Annual or bi-annual health exams will be performed to test for diseases, and other specific tests will be performed if your pet is ill or injured. Blood tests are common diagnostic tests used by veterinarians to examine dogs and cats, and are relatively simple and non-invasive.

If your pet needs a blood test, your veterinarian will insert a sterile needle into your pet’s vein (usually in a limb or neck) to draw the required amount of blood.

Another team member will usually support your pet during the procedure and apply pressure to the puncture site after blood is drawn to prevent hematoma (solid swelling caused by blood clotting in tissue).

Types of Blood Tests for Dogs and Cats

Blood tests for dogs and cats measure substances in the blood, including cells, proteins, hormones, chemicals, minerals and electrolytes.

Depending on your pet’s condition, your veterinarian may recommend one or more of the following blood tests for your pet:

• Complete blood count (CBC)— A CBC tests your pet’s red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets to detect conditions like dehydration, infection, and anemia.

• Biochemical profile— A biochemistry profile checks your pet’s organ function, measures electrolyte levels, and examines certain enzyme levels.

• Heartworm testing— Heartworm testing can tell you if your pet has heartworm disease and can also detect certain tick-borne diseases, such as Lyme disease.

• Thyroid Panel— Thyroid testing assesses your pet’s thyroid function. Hypothyroidism, caused by underproduction of thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland, and hyperthyroidism, caused by overproduction of thyroid hormone, are common in dogs and cats.

• Cancer screening—Blood tests are available to detect common cancers in dogs.

• Genetic testing— Blood tests can determine if your pet is at higher risk for certain genetic diseases.

• Gastrointestinal (GI) Panel— The GI panel tests for conditions such as major GI diseases, pancreatitis, and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI).

• Allergy testing— Blood tests are also available to identify environmental substances that may be causing your pet’s allergic symptoms.

Anatomy of Dog and Cat Veins

When blood tests are done on dogs and cats, veins are the blood vessels that collect oxygen-poor blood from around the body and return it to the heart. These vessels contain about 75% of your pet’s blood.

Veins are the preferred method of collecting blood because they are closer to the surface of the skin than arteries and therefore easier to access.

In addition, veins have thinner walls and fewer nerves than arteries, making them easier to puncture and less painful than puncturing an artery. Also, veins have a lower blood pressure than arteries, so bleeding after puncturing a vein is easier to stop than with an artery.

Why do dogs and cats need blood tests?

Blood tests for dogs and cats are useful in many situations. Your veterinarian may recommend blood tests for your dog or cat for one or more of the following reasons:

• health check—Pets are good at hiding illness, so annual blood tests, such as a CBC and chemistry panel, can help catch any illnesses early and make them easier to manage.

• Exposure to parasites—Annual blood test screening helps test for heartworm and tick-borne diseases.

• disease—If your pet is sick, blood tests can help determine the cause and allow your veterinarian to develop an appropriate treatment plan.

• Injury—If your pet has suffered significant trauma, such as being hit by a car, blood tests will be needed to determine what treatment can stabilize their condition.

• anesthesia—Before your pet is put under anesthesia, blood tests will be required to ensure they are healthy enough for surgery.

• High-risk pets—If your pet’s breed is predisposed to a certain disease, blood tests can tell you if they are likely to develop it and help your veterinarian initiate and monitor a management strategy.

Benefits of Blood Testing for Dogs and Cats

Blood tests for sick or injured pets help your veterinarian diagnose and treat your pet’s medical conditions. Screening tests can help you and your pet in the following ways:

• Setting normal standards for your pet

• Ensure your pet’s health

• Track changes in pet values ​​over the years

• Detecting Underlying Health Problems Early

• Help prevent veterinary emergencies caused by underlying diseases

Cost of blood tests for dogs and cats

Prices for specialized blood tests vary widely, but a routine blood test, including a CBC and biochemistry panel, typically costs between $100 and $200 for dogs and cats.

Heartworm testing typically costs between $35 and $75, and thyroid testing costs between $50 and $150.

Preparing for blood tests for dogs and cats

Ask your veterinarian if you need to prepare your dog or cat for blood tests. To prepare your pet for blood tests, your veterinarian may recommend the following:

• fasting—In some cases, you may need to refrain from eating for 6-12 hours to prevent lipid droplets (lipidemia) from affecting the results.

• Water supply—Make sure your pet has access Fresh and clean water This is to prevent dehydration, as even mild dehydration can affect the results of your blood tests.

• Avoid strenuous exercise— Make sure your pet is calm before blood is drawn, as fatiguing physical activity can alter blood test values.

• Minimize stress— Stress can affect your pet’s blood test results, so try to keep your pet as calm and stress-free as possible. Suggestions include: Keep your dog on a lead, Keeping your cat in a carrierbring about Great value snackWait in your car until your vet is ready to examine your pet. Your vet may recommend the following: Calming Supplements.

• Follow other instructions—For certain tests, your veterinarian may give you pre-medication instructions. Follow these instructions carefully to ensure your pet’s blood test results are accurate.

Complications of blood tests in dogs and cats

Complications from blood tests in dogs and cats are not common, but they can occur, especially if your pet squirms or strains while blood is being drawn.

Possible complications include:

• Continued bleeding

• swelling

• Bruises

• pain

• Perivenous scarring

If your pet continues to bleed, apply pressure to the area until the bleeding stops. Bruising, swelling, and pain should subside within a few days.

Scarring around the vein can make it difficult for your veterinarian to use that vein for future blood draws.