Laboratory testing is important to help identify health conditions early before they become serious illnesses. Since pets can’t tell us what is wrong or where it hurts, we rely on laboratory testing to help us evaluate their condition and diagnose any problems.
We have an in-house laboratory to provide same day results and our in-house pharmacy means that your pet can start treatment as soon as possible. We also use a reference laboratory (www.nationalbiovet.com) to send out samples for more complicated tests and to save you money if immediate results are not required. This is particularly helpful for bloodwork prior to surgery, so we typically recommend completing this at least 3 days before their scheduled surgery.
Laboratory diagnostic testing is usually performed:
- Once a year to uncover underlying conditions early and improve treatment prognosis
- When preparing for surgery or dental procedure with anesthesia
- When your pet is showing symptoms of illness
- When your pet is examined after a trauma (ex. Car accident)
- When your pet has dramatic changes in weight loss, condition, or behavior
Laboratory testing typically includes:
- Blood chemistry (Chem screen) to evaluate organ function and test for conditions such as diabetes and thyroid problems.
- Hematology (CBC- Complete Blood Count) looks at your pets red and white blood cells, level or hydration or dehydration and clotting factors important in preparation for surgery.
- Urinalysis to uncover conditions such as infection or diabetes.
- Parasite testing includes both blood testing for heartworm infection and fecal testing for intestinal parasites.
For more information, please watch this AVMA video.