Testing for blood is a frequent suggestion from vets. However, due to the extra cost of getting this bloodwork done, sure pet owners avoid having the tests conducted.
In certain instances, it’s necessary to identify an illness process. Still, in other instances, it can be a part of a regular wellness check-up to provide your pet a “warrant of fitness.” In either case, the test results will help determine if your pet is healthy. To better care for your pet’s family members, Blood tests can provide vital information to your vet.
Importance of Blood Tests
Sometimes, veterinarians wish they could ask their patients where the pain originates. Unfortunately, determining the cause of pain in sick pets is more complex. This is why blood tests can be a handy diagnostic tool for vets. Here are some of the most common justifications vets use to justify a blood test on your pet.
1. To Evaluate and Monitor Pet’s Health
In most cases, the first time you visit your pet in a kitten vet facility, the vet recommends conducting a blood test. Even if it seems like your pet is in good health, taking their blood for a test will allow you to establish the baseline for future testing.
It will be helpful in the future for monitoring your pet’s health and ensuring that preventative care is given to reduce the chance of developing the disease.
2. To Identify Disease
If a cat or dog behaves strangely, many owners will take them to a vet facility like Monroe Veterinary Clinic. A blood test can help identify the source of symptoms, such as the frequency of urination and scratching in cats or unexplained weight loss or growth in dogs.
Specific proteins, enzymes, and white blood cells may be identified through blood tests and used as disease biomarkers. This way, pet owners can ensure that their pets get the finest possible care, preventing costly vet bills.
3. To Use for Pre-Surgery Evaluation
If your pet must undergo surgery, bloodwork tests will ensure that all vital organs are functioning as they should before and after the procedure. This will be helpful for the pet laboratory in determining the need for any medication that must be prescribed before the surgery to improve the blood results and ensure that the operation will be successful and that your pet will return to good health.
4. To Check for Viral, Bacterial, or Parasitic Infections
Sometimes, blood tests will detect the presence of a viral, bacterial, or parasitic infection after an owner of a pet has noticed abnormal behavior within their cat or dog. For instance, infections generally increase white blood cell count in diagnostic labs.
Identifying conditions like heartworm, Lyme’s, canine distemper, and the kennel cough that dogs suffer from is vital. There is no substitute for testing for feline blood for screening for diseases such as feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline leukemia virus (FeLV), and leptospirosis.
5. To Evaluate Treatment
Blood tests are typically used to detect disorders like liver and kidney conditions or even anemia right away to ensure that the appropriate treatment is administered.
After treatment is administered, a battery of tests may be needed to determine whether or not the treatment is effective and if your pet needs further evaluation and treatment.
