Our pets are unable to communicate when they are ill. Regular vet visits, worming, and a nutritious diet are crucial for our pets, but they cannot always reveal how their internal organs function. Blood tests are the most diagnostic of all health tests. They provide accurate and timely information about your pets’ health.
What is the purpose of a pet blood test?
Your vet cardiologist in Newtown or veterinary nurse frequently recommends blood testing for your pet. There are numerous reasons why such a blood test is necessary. In some cases, it is essential to diagnose a disease procedure, while in others, it may be part of a routine well-being assessment to give your pet a ‘warrant of fitness.’
Blood testing results can significantly improve your veterinary team’s ability to help your furry family member. This is especially important before your pet’s procedure at the clinic. The veterinary team needs a clear understanding of your pet’s health status to anticipate potential issues they may need to respond to during anesthesia.
When a blood test is advised
A blood test may be recommended during your pet’s yearly check-up with the veterinarian. Your veterinarian may recommend a blood test in the following situations:
- Your first veterinary clinic visit
- During a wellness examination
- If your pet is ill,
- Before a procedure, a pre-anesthetic blood test is performed.
- Before beginning a new medication
- During a senior wellness examination.
What happens after the blood sample is drawn?
The jugular vein in the neck is large enough to provide a good sample while also allowing us to collect the blood as quickly as possible. This is significant because blood begins to clot when exposed to air, which can affect the results. Most pets are also more relaxed when blood is drawn from their jugular vein; however, a smaller sample can be drawn from a vein in the leg if necessary.
After collecting the blood, pressure is applied to the vein for about a minute to prevent bruising. This can be difficult in wriggly patients. The blood is placed in tubes suitable for the required tests, most of which can be performed at the pet diagnostics‘ in-house laboratory. However, some tests require more specialized equipment, so we send those samples to an outside laboratory.
Why is a blood test required?
There are numerous reasons why your pet may require a blood test. Blood tests are used to detect potential problems before anesthesia, to screen for disease or to identify breed-specific disease, and to monitor the effects of specific drug therapies. Early detection through wellness blood testing is the key to identifying and treating health conditions before they worsen. Blood tests are necessary because
- More health issues tend to arise as your pet ages (similar to humans)
- Animals age more quickly than humans. Every annual blood test is just as important as ever for detecting any underlying health issues.
- The information obtained about your pet’s health is invaluable, much like the importance of human blood tests.
If your pet needs surgery, you can consult a professional here.
Conclusion
A blood test will allow your veterinarian to detect illnesses such as kidney disease, liver disease, thyroid disease, and diabetes. As serious as they sound, the conditions can be monitored and treated if caught early. In many cases, the blood test results will return with no health problems, giving you peace of mind. Blood tests are an essential monitoring and diagnostic tool for our veterinary teams to ensure your pet receives the best possible care, whether a disease is present or not.
