Being told that your dog needs blood work done can be scary for pet owners. To help put you at ease, our Santa Rosa vets are here to explain why these tests are performed and why you shouldn't worry.
Why is Blood Work Important for Dogs?
If blood tests are being ordered as part of your pet's routine preventive care, this is simply to check for early signs of illness that may not be showing symptoms yet. This allows your vet to detect, diagnose and treat the illness.
When we detect diseases early, prevention and treatment can be administered earlier. Healthy pets also need blood tests during routine exams to obtain normal baseline values to compare to later and as your pet ages.
If your dog is displaying symptoms, diagnostic blood tests play an essential role in helping your vet determine the cause of your dog's symptoms.
What Do Blood Tests for Dogs Reveal?
A complete blood count (CBC) and complete blood chemistry panel, including electrolytes and urinalysis, are common tests. The CBC identifies whether there is anemia, inflammation, or infection present. It can also indicate immune system response and blood clotting ability.
The chemistry panel and electrolytes tell your vet whether your pet’s liver, kidneys, and pancreas are working as they should.
This important lab work can also detect and help to identify complex issues within a dog’s internal systems. For example, blood tests for dogs can detect whether internal or environmental stimuli are causing hormonal-chemical responses. This tells a veterinarian there may be a potential problem with the dog’s endocrine system.
When Do Dogs Need Blood Tests?
Countless circumstances can lead to your vet recommending that your dog have blood work done, such as:
- Your pet's first vet visit (to establish baseline data and for pre-anesthetic testing before a spaying or neutering procedure)
- Before starting a new medication
- If your dog is showing odd behaviors
- As pre-surgical testing to identify your dog's risk of complications during surgery
- Semi-annual routine exams as preventive care
- During senior exams to look for age-related conditions in the earliest stages
- To help assess your pet's condition during an emergency visit
How Long Does Blood Work Take at a Vet?
Thanks to our in-house lab, our vets can perform a variety of tests and get results quickly. The actual test can be relatively quick, taking just a few minutes. There are some circumstances where they can take longer, but your vet can give you a more accurate timeframe.
What Do My Dog's Blood Test Results Mean?
At Montecito Veterinary Center, we will always take the time to explain your dog’s blood tests and their results, as treatment and management of health issues are a team effort between our veterinary team and loving pet owners.
Typically, your dog's bloodwork will include a complete blood count (CBC) or blood chemistry (serum test). The CBC will be important for dogs that have pale gums or are experiencing vomiting, fever, weakness, or loss of appetite. Blood tests for dogs with diarrhea also fall into this category.
A CBC can also detect bleeding disorders or other abnormalities that may not be identified otherwise.
A CBC reveals detailed information, including:
- Hematocrit (HCT): With this test, we can identify the percentage of red blood cells to detect hydration or anemia.
- Hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (Hb and MCHC): These are pigments of red blood cells that carry oxygen.
- White blood cell count (WBC): With this test, we measure the body’s immune cells. Certain diseases or infections can cause WBC to increase or decrease.
- Granulocytes and lymphocytes/monocytes (GRANS and L/M): These are specific types of white blood cells.
- Eosinophils (EOS): These are a specific type of white blood cells that can indicate health conditions due to allergies or parasites.
- Platelet count: (PLT): This test measures cells that form blood clots.
- Reticulocytes (RETICS): High levels of immature red blood cells can point to regenerative anemia.
- Fibrinogen (FIBR): We can glean important information about blood clotting from this test. High levels can indicate a dog is 30 to 40 days pregnant.
What Blood Chemistries Reveal (Blood Serum Test):
Blood chemistries give us insight into how your dog’s liver, kidneys, and pancreas are functioning as well as hormone levels, electrolyte status, and more.
The test can be used to assess the health of dogs who are getting older and well as gain general health assessments before anesthesia or monitor dogs receiving long-term medications.
These tests also help us evaluate senior dogs with symptoms of diseases (such as Addison’s, diabetes, kidney diseases, or others), diarrhea, vomiting, or toxin exposure.
Does My Dog Need Blood Tests & Lab Work?
At Montecito Veterinary Center our vets recommend blood tests be conducted and lab work be done routinely as a proactive measure during your dog's annual exam, even if your dog seems perfectly healthy. This is because the sooner we catch health issues, the more effectively we can treat your dog.
Our team of vets at our Santa Rosa clinic will always advocate for your pet's health, fully explain any tests and treatment options, and provide a preventive approach to your dog's veterinary care.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.