Blood tests are an essential part of diagnosing what is ailing your pet, just as they are in human medicine. Blood tests can tell the veterinarian a myriad of things, from whether your pet is dehydrated to whether he or she has anemia to whether your cat or dog is suffering from cancer
Common blood tests used by veterinarians
Red blood cells are used to determine a number of factors. The packed red blood cell count can detect a condition called polycythemia. A high count indicates dehydration, while a low count can be an indicator of anemia. The hemoglobin concentration test measures the oxygen-carrying capacity of your pet's blood, and the red blood cell count can tell your vet how well your pet's body is functioning. Testing the white blood cells is equally useful. A high white blood cell count is indicative of infection, whereas a low white blood cell count can mean a weakened immune system.
Benefits of in-house diagnostics and bloodwork
When your pet is sick, you don't want to wait days to get the results of blood tests and start his or her treatment. Neither do you want to drive all around Summit from the vet's office to the lab and back. Our in-house diagnostic lab decreases the time and energy necessary to get your pet the blood tests he or she needs. Plus, you'll get the results much more quickly than if you use an outside lab. We also believe it's easier for your pet to only deal with one technician and one visit than to have him or her visit two separate facilities.
Having a sick pet can be a scary thing. After all, they are part of the family. Summit Dog & Cat Hospital wants to ease some of your anxiety and get your pet on the road to wellness quickly. That's why we've invested in an in-house diagnostic lab. Call us today at (908) 273-2200 to learn more about our in-house testing lab or to make an appointment for your pet.
How often should my pet's blood be tested?
Now that you understand some of the most common blood tests and what they can tell us about your pets health, you're probably wondering how often your pet should have this done as part of their health checkup.
Our furry companions' lifespans are much shorter than ours. That's why we recommend bloodwork for healthy pets annually. For pets approaching their geriatric years, semi-annual tests are typically best. If your pet is going under and anesthetic procedure, bloodwork should be current (within a month). Pets that are ill, have chronic health conditions or on certain medications, may need bloodwork more frequently--monthly, weekly, daily or hourly--depending on the health and its severity.