Why is blood work important for dogs?
Blood tests are done as an aspect of preventive care to look for early signs of disease before any outward symptoms appear. These diagnostic tests help your vet detect, diagnose, and treat illness.
When diseases are detected early, your vet may be able to prevent some symptoms from manifesting or worsening and administer treatment earlier than if they had waited for symptoms to appear before checking for signs of sickness. Healthy pets should also have blood tests done during routine exams to establish normal baseline values to compare to later in case they develop an illness or as they age.
If your dog is displaying symptoms of illness, diagnostic blood tests can often provide valuable clues as to 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 indicates whether anemia, infection, or inflammation are present. It may also reveal that the immune system is responding to stimuli or reveal information about blood clotting ability.
Your vet will review the chemistry panel and electrolyte levels to discern whether your pet's kidneys, liver, and pancreas are working as they should.
This critical lab work can also detect and help to identify complex internal health issues a dog may be experiencing. For example, blood tests for dogs can indicate whether internal or environmental stimuli are causing hormonal-chemical responses. This shows a veterinarian there may be a potential problem in the dog's endocrine system.
When does my dog need a blood test?
Your vet may recommend that your dog have blood work done for many reasons. These may include:
- Your pet's first visit (to establish baseline data)
- Pre-anesthetic testing before a spaying and neutering procedure
- Semi-annual routine exams as part of preventive care
- During senior exams to check for age-related conditions in their earliest stages of development
- As pre-surgical testing to identify your dog's risk of complications during surgery
- Before starting a new medication
- If your dog is displaying odd behaviors
- To help assess your pet's condition during an emergency visit
How long does bloodwork take at a vet?
Our vets can perform a variety of tests and get results quickly from our in-house lab. The tests themselves are relatively quick; some take only minutes, and some may take somewhat longer. Your vet can offer an accurate time estimate for how long your dog's blood tests and results will take.
What do my dog's blood tests results mean?
At Riverside Veterinary Hospital, 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. This test can also reveal 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 (blood serum tests) give us insight into a dog’s organ function (liver, kidneys, and pancreas), hormone levels, electrolyte status, and more.
The test can be used to assess the health of older dogs, do general health assessments before anesthesia, or monitor dogs receiving long-term medications.
These tests also help us evaluate senior dogs’ health and those with symptoms of diseases (such as Addison’s, diabetes, kidney diseases, or others), diarrhea, vomiting, or toxin exposure.
Does my dog need blood tests and lab work?
Your vet may recommend blood tests and lab work be done as a proactive measure during an annual routine exam, even if your dog seems perfectly healthy. The sooner we catch health issues, the more effectively we can treat them.
Our veterinary team will always advocate for your dog's health, explain any tests that are needed and why, and take a preventive approach to your pooch'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.