Laboratory & Blood Work
Blood Work: Catch Disease Early
Have you ever wondered why routine blood work is essential for your pet?
Your pet’s well-being and safety are our top priorities. Since pets can’t convey their symptoms verbally, we rely on blood tests to provide crucial insights, especially before surgeries or for our beloved older pets.
Animals have a natural instinct to shield their vulnerabilities, often concealing signs of sickness. This means your pet’s appearance might not accurately reflect their health status.
For instance, a pet with kidney disease might display noticeable signs only after losing a significant 75% of kidney function.
We can detect potential organ issues through simple blood tests long before these signs or symptoms become apparent.
We refer to this as “catching the disease early,” ensuring timely interventions for your pet’s well-being.
Routine Blood Work (CBC, Chemistry, Electrolytes)
Hematology tests(CBC) provide information about the blood cells, including red and white blood cells and platelets. Red blood cells (RBC) are responsible for carrying oxygen. White blood cells (WBC) are the body’s primary means of fighting infection. Platelets play an critical role in the clotting of blood. These tests can detect anemia, infection, and clotting disorders.
Blood chemistry tests provide an inside look at your pet’s vital organs. Through routine testing of blood chemistries, we can evaluate the status of your pet’s major internal organs. The kidney and liver function tests are critical as these organs are responsible for processing and eliminating many of the pharmaceuticals and anesthetics used in practice.
Electrolyte(s) balance is also crucial to maintaining life. Certain diseases or conditions can result in electrolyte imbalances that compromise your pet’s health. For example, vomiting cats often become hypokalemia (decreased Potassium), which can ultimately lead to cardiac arrhythmias if left untreated. Through routine blood work, we can quickly diagnose and treat electrolyte abnormalities that might otherwise go undetected.
Specialized Blood Work
Have you ever wondered why certain pets need specialized blood work?
Consider this: some pets require specific blood tests to diagnose a disease or monitor the effectiveness of particular medications they’re on.
Take dogs on thyroid medication, for instance. Regular blood work is essential to monitor the levels of thyroid medicine, especially as dogs age when thyroid levels tend to decrease.
Whether your dog is on heartworm prevention or not, it’s crucial to have a yearly (or even more frequent) test to ensure their well-being.
Pets prescribed medications like anti-inflammatory, thyroid, anti-seizure, blood pressure, diuretic, or urinary incontinence meds should undergo routine blood work every 6-12 months. This helps guarantee that your pet receives the accurate dose of medication necessary for their health.
Ultimately, blood testing serves as a vital tool for veterinarians. It assesses your pet’s overall health and monitors the condition of vital organs, ensuring the proper medication dosage is prescribed for their well-being.
Allergy Testing
Biopsy Analysis
In the realm of veterinary medicine, biopsy analysis plays a pivotal role, offering invaluable insights into the health of our cherished animal companions.
This diagnostic procedure involves delicately collecting tissue samples from suspicious or abnormal areas within your pet’s body and examining them under a microscope.
By delving into the cellular level, biopsy testing reveals a treasure trove of information. It helps us diagnose various conditions, from tumors and inflammatory diseases to infections.
When your pet shows concerning lesions or abnormal tissues, biopsy testing becomes crucial in uncovering the root cause.
We collect a small tissue sample during this process using methods like surgical excision, needle aspiration, or endoscopy.
The collected tissue undergoes meticulous examination by a skilled veterinary pathologist. Their detailed analysis under a microscope detects abnormal cells, infections, inflammatory responses, and structural changes that might signal specific diseases or conditions.
The benefits of biopsy testing for your pet’s care are immense.
First, it provides a definitive diagnosis, bringing clarity to both veterinarians and pet owners about the nature of your pet’s ailment.
A precise diagnosis is pivotal in tailoring the most appropriate and effective treatment strategies for your pet’s specific condition.
Furthermore, biopsy results often guide prognostic assessments, giving insights into expected outcomes and potential risks associated with different treatment options.
The valuable insights from biopsy testing facilitate ongoing monitoring and management of your pet’s health, enabling informed decisions in their continual care.
Biopsy testing is fundamental in veterinary diagnostics, enabling comprehensive assessments and personalized pet treatment plans.
Its ability to unravel the complexities of various health conditions significantly enhances your beloved pet’s well-being and quality of life.
