Bloodwork reveals vital information about how your pet’s body is working and ways we can provide better care. There are a range of reasons we recommend bloodwork, like during your pet’s first visit, before surgery or if we suspect an undiagnosed health issue. Our in-house laboratory allows us to process your pet’s results quickly, speeding up our diagnosis process.
What types of bloodwork do you do?
A Complete Blood Count (CBC) is a common test we run, to assess your pet’s overall health. Their blood cells can tell us about any abnormalities, which could be an indication of an underlying health condition. Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen throughout your pet’s body. Any variation in their size, shape or quantity could be an indication of anemia, which creates a low blood cell count. White blood cells are responsible for defending your pet’s body against infection and inflammation. Abnormally high or low white blood cell count could be a sign of infection, inflammation or immunodeficiency.
What does my pet need for pre-surgery bloodwork?
Before your pet has surgery, we want to ensure their body will respond well to the procedure. Especially if they will need to go under anesthesia, bloodwork allows us to ensure they’re a good candidate for the medication and fix any abnormalities that could impact their treatment plan. For example, if your pet’s lab results show they’re dehydrated, we’ll give them IV fluids before the anesthesia to ensure they’ll respond well to the medication.
How do I prepare my pet for their bloodwork?
Our veterinary team will give you guidelines on how to prepare your pet for their bloodwork. Typically, you won’t need to do anything other than bringing your pet in for their scheduled appointment. We’ll ensure your pet is as comfortable as possible when we take their blood, via veins in their neck or leg. Our in-house laboratory means we’ll get your pet’s results back to you in a timely manner. If you have questions about our bloodwork procedures, please contact us at 705-753-0324.
