As our pets age, there are a variety of ailments that can develop and make them die prematurely. Kidney failure, diabetes, and liver diseases are frequent in middle-aged or older animals. Prostate disease, adrenal gland dysfunction, and bladder stones can be typical in dogs with geriatric diseases. However, senior pets and young ones are susceptible to these diseases at a young age.
Why Are Lab Tests Important?
An analysis of the lab tests performed by your pet is an excellent method of determining any possible issues. For example, while many conditions manifest in organs other than the urinary tract, the first signs of symptoms may be observed in urine. The likelihood of success in treatment and recovery increases when early detection through a veterinary diagnostic lab can help identify sickness and rapid treatment for certain diseases.
Some of the most frequently used diagnostic tests in veterinary medicine are as follows:
Blood Analysis
Screening blood tests is a test that is used to detect a disease before it develops into manifested as asymptomatic. Even if your pet or dog seems healthy, obtaining a screening blood test is preferable to ensure they’re not suffering from kidney disease, diabetes, or thyroid illness. When adopting a new pet, it’s essential to be sure they won’t bring parasites from your current pets to their new home. In these instances, the best option is prevention.
Prevention remains the best method of identifying early signs of disease. Screening tests are required for animals at any age performing surgery. By clicking on this page, you can see several tips that your local vets can share for the optimum wellness of your pets.
Urine Analysis
Urinalysis may enhance the results of blood tests and provide additional information that blood tests might not reveal. The urine test, for example, will tell if ketones or glucose are present (indicating the presence of diabetes). Urinalysis tests can also reveal the beginning of protein (albumin) loss through the kidneys, something a blood test cannot detect. In addition, microscopical urine examinations can see bleeding, inflammation, infection, malignancy, and bladder stones.
Your pet’s urine should be tested at a minimum every six months, in addition to testing the urine for an exact result.
Fecal Analysis
Dogs and cats alike are susceptible to internal parasites. Tapeworms, roundworms, whipworms, hookworms, and protozoa, including toxoplasma and cryptosporidia, are all examples of external parasites. These can be detected using a fecal flotation test (a flotation test for feces) and fecal antigen tests in a pet’s stool. Animals suffering from any illness are tested fecally. However, those with digestive problems such as vomiting and diarrhea are tested the most frequently. Numerous diagnostic procedures can be used to determine the cause of gastrointestinal symptoms.
Internal parasites should be checked because they could be transmitted to other pets and, occasionally, humans. Fortunately, modern parasite treatments are extremely effective.
Radiography
Radiography utilizes small amounts of X-ray radiation to let the doctor see your dog or cat’s body. It helps every animal suffering from any disease. However, it is frequently used to treat orthopedic (fractures dislocations, fractures) and soft tissue disorders (bladder stone, GI blockages, heart/lung diseases).
Radiography aids in the early diagnosis of animals without specific concerns. For example, puppies could be examined for hip dysplasia. If an animal is anesthetized, sedated, or sedated for another procedure, like spaying, neutering, or cleaning the teeth, dental clinics use radiographs to screen the procedure. Radiography performed on animals in clinics typically finds issues that allow them to offer treatments before developing significant diseases.
Heartworms Screening
When most people think about heartworm, they think of a disease that only affects dogs. In reality, heartworm illnesses may also affect cats, but less frequently.
Heartworm disease can be a lethal ailment caused by a worm in the heart and pulmonary blood vessels. Preventive measures are the best treatment to treat heartworm disease. The pet should be diagnosed before commencing preventative treatment as early as 8 weeks old, since severe consequences can emerge if an animal suffers from the disease. It is essential to talk the highest quality puppy and kitten care about the right treatment to avoid spreading infection.
Conclusion
Knowing the importance of routine lab tests that can be conducted on healthy and sick dogs and cats is crucial. By strategically applying these tests, you and the veterinarian can significantly increase your dog’s or cat’s lifespan by recognizing potential health issues early on, allowing for more suitable treatment.