If you’ve ever felt a little unprepared for your dog’s yearly veterinary visit, you’re not alone. It’s very nerve-wracking when your vet gives you a list of possible diagnostic procedures. There’s a chance you’re worried about skipping over the most important tests in favor of less important ones. Furthermore, the total cost of everything on the list may be quite high. However, is dog owners need to shell out a lot of money to ensure their dog’s health? Whether it’s your dog’s first trip to the vet or he’s due for his yearly checkup, it’s a fine idea to have a list of the most important tests your vet should run ready to give you.
Clinical Chemistry
Clinical chemistry analyzes the chemical composition of a specimen. Serum or plasma is the most common sample. However, other bodily fluids may also be tested. The kidneys, liver, and other organs’ health can be assessed with the help of clinical chemistry testing. Some diseases, such as diabetes and pancreatitis, can be better diagnosed with their help. Your pet’s progress during therapy may also be monitored with these exams.
Cytology
Cytology examines cells and their development, function, and eventual demise. For veterinary purposes, pathologists can provide information about individual cells. Cell types can be identified by making and staining slides from tissue or fluid samples obtained via fine-needle biopsy.
The majority of the time, pathologists are the ones responsible for detecting cancerous cells and tumors (malignant). Certain microorganisms, such as certain types of yeast, can be glimpsed with the naked eye, while others, like bacteria, require special testing to determine their identity.
Fluid Analysis
The fluid analysis involves looking at bodily liquids besides blood (urine, joint fluid, etc.). Analysts of animal body fluids work with other experts to diagnose the animals’ health. Cells and proteins in fluids are analyzed. It is also possible to do compound-specific clinical chemistry tests.
Hematology
In both health and disease, hematologists are interested in the function of the blood’s various cell types. Commonly performed blood tests include complete blood counts (CBC). Blood cell counts, types, anemia, inflammation, and coagulation are all evaluated in this test.
Anemia can be diagnosed by checking red blood cells’ number, size, formation, and hemoglobin concentration. Infection can produce inflammation, which can be detected by counting different types of white blood cells. Changes in platelets detected by a complete blood count (CBC) may suggest coagulation problems.
Histology
Histology focuses on the microscopic study of tissue structures in plants and animals. A histologist is a pathologist who examines microscopic tissue samples to diagnose disease. Pathologists investigate disease and typically have an explanation for abnormal tissue structures or cells.
If your veterinarian from places like Westside Animal Emergency Clinic suspects cancer or another disease that causes tissue change, he or she will take a tiny tissue sample to send to a pathologist for analysis.
Microbiology
The field of microbiology focuses on studying microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Veterinary labs typically have access to various infection tests that trained microbiologists can perform. Bacteria, viruses, and fungi are all common subjects of cultivation and identification. It is possible to test antibiotics from a dog and cat pharmacy to see which ones are effective at killing bacteria.
It is possible to identify bacteria and viruses that are difficult to grow in the lab using antibodies or other substances. Bacteria can be cultured from your pet’s blood, urine, feces, nasal or pulmonary secretions, and wound or abscess swabs.
Serology
Serum and other body fluids are the focus of serology. The antibody titer is typically measured in serologic tests for infectious microorganisms. When an animal’s immune system reacts to bacteria by making antibodies, it has been exposed to those bacteria.
There are a plethora of options for serologic testing kits. Heartworm illness, feline leukemia virus infection, Lyme disease, infectious horse anemia, and a host of other diseases are frequently tested for with kits used in both in-house and external laboratories.
Toxicology
Animal toxicity is a major topic in toxicology. If your emergency vet in Lithia Springs suspects poisoning, toxicologic tests can determine the specific poison and the extent of the damage it causes. It’s simple to spot the most common poisons.
Your pet may still be saved by prompt toxin identification. Sometimes it’s necessary to send a sample to a separate lab so it may be tested there for a more comprehensive set of toxins. If your pet ate anything potentially harmful, your vet might ask to see a sample.
Conclusion
Any time before your dog’s annual or semiannual checkup, you should take him to the vet if he shows any strange or persistent symptoms. If your pet is displaying unusual or concerning symptoms, it is imperative that you seek veterinary attention immediately. Your pet relies on you to make decisions on his behalf, so it’s important that you’re well-versed in what choices will promote his well-being from puppyhood through his senior years.