Why we do blood work
Blood is a bodily fluid that circulates oxygen, nutrients, glucose (sugar), and electrolytes throughout the body, and helps get wastes to the removal organs. When we take a sample, we prefer a 12- to 14-hour fasting sample as this has less compounds that can interfere with accurate results. This sample gives us an answer about the blood values that are present and in what amounts at that point in time. The various tests we run determine what answers we receive.
| Species | Young | Adult | Senior | Additional Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cat | CBC, biochemistry, FIV/FeIV, heartworm, urinalysis | CBC, biochemistry, thyroid, FIV/FeLV, heartworm, urinalysis | CBC, biochemistry, thyroid, FIV/FeLV, heartworm, urinalysis | FBnp, FPL, bile acids, fructosamine and others |
| Dog | CBC, biochemistry, thyroid, heartworm, urinalysis | CBC, biochemistry, thyroid, heartworm, urinalysis | CBC, biochemistry, thyroid, heartworm, urinalysis | CPL, bile acids, fructosamine and others |
Complete blood count (CBC)
This looks at the cellular aspect of the blood: red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. These values tell us how your pet fights infection, makes blood clots, and oxygenates its tissues. These values can be diagnostically important in wellness and disease.
Biochemistry
This looks at all the blood compounds that float around in the liquid part of the blood. These include liver values, kidney values, blood sugar, electrolytes, proteins and others. These values are very important, as this is how your pet processes medicines and anesthetic, and can be diagnostically important in wellness and disease.
Thyroid
We test both adult dogs and cats for thyroid values throughout life. Catching changes in thyroid hormone values early is essential as dogs generally have decreasing values and cats have increasing values. When values that are low or high values proceed for too long, tissue changes occur and it can be harder to treat successfully.
Heartworm
This test tests for the presence of heartworm proteins. Presence of these foot-long worms in the heart can have a significant impact on your cat or dog, especially under anesthesia.
Urinalysis
This is analysis of the urine and we can check for several things, including the concentrating ability of the kidneys as well as protein loss or infection.
Other tests
Viral testing in cats (FIV/FeLV) is important, as it can be spread among cats and can have an impact on their health and wellness. Dogs and cats both have tests that test for heart damage (FBnP and CBnp). Fructosamine tests for your animal’s ability to control blood sugar over the past two weeks. Pre- and post-bile acid tests test for liver function. There are many other blood tests that are often ordered on a case-by-case basis.