Dogs may require blood work and other diagnostic testing as part of their annual routine checkups and before surgery. In this post, our Cave Creek veterinarians explain the importance of pet blood tests for dogs and what they can reveal.
When and why does my dog need blood tests?
If your dog is brought to our animal hospital and requires blood work, you might wonder why it's necessary. Blood work is crucial for diagnosing and treating your pet's health conditions. It provides valuable information that helps veterinarians assess the health status and identify underlying health issues. Before specific procedures like soft tissue surgery, your pet's blood will be tested to ensure they are healthy enough to undergo the procedure.
At our in-house diagnostic lab, we conduct a wide range of blood tests to evaluate your pet's health and diagnose various illnesses, including different forms of cancer. The importance of blood work and how it assists veterinarians in making decisions about your pet's health and treatment can be challenging to comprehend.
Why is blood work important for dogs?
It's important to understand that not all pet blood tests are identical. Ask your vet which blood tests they are conducting and why they are necessary for your dog. Our veterinarians will provide guidance on your pet's condition, the required diagnostic tests, and what to expect from them.
A Complete Blood Count (CBC) and a serum chemistry panel are among the most common veterinary blood tests. Each test provides unique but complementary information.
With a CBC, we can measure a patient's white blood cell count, red blood cell count, and platelet count. We can also gather information about the shape and size of red and white blood cells. The size of red blood cells can provide clues about potential diseases. For example, larger red blood cells can indicate bone marrow disease, vitamin deficiency, and other conditions, while smaller red cells may be associated with immune system issues and iron deficiency. Red cells that are adequately sized but are insufficient in number can point to longstanding illnesses such as cancer, persistent inflammation, or kidney disease.
Additionally, many changes in the shape of red cells have been linked to various diseases. While we can rarely make a diagnosis based on these changes alone, they can offer clues about the nature of the underlying disease.
A chemistry panel, also known as a blood chem or chemistry screen, allows us to assess values related to organ function (like the liver, kidneys, and pancreas), electrolyte levels, and other important enzymes in the bloodstream. This test is designed to measure specific chemicals and enzymes present in the blood, providing important insights into the health and functioning of your pet's organs.
Furthermore, this test can help us determine your pet's blood sugar level and the levels of essential electrolytes, such as calcium, sodium, and potassium, in the blood. An increase or decrease in these electrolytes can indicate various health problems, affecting your pet's eligibility for anesthesia or their ability to heal post-surgery.
Fortunately, our in-house vet lab has advanced tools and technologies to help us accurately and efficiently diagnose your pet's medical issues. Early assessment and treatment are critical when your pet feels ill or has rapidly changing health.
What Blood Work Can Tell Us
Our insights into your pet's health depend on the blood work ordered. For instance, different CBC and chemistry panels can provide us with varying data depending on what we need to measure and what we hope to learn about your pet's well-being.
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Threats faced by the immune system can trigger specific responses in white blood cells. The vet can use a CBC to analyze the total number of white blood cells and the number of each type of white blood cell present in your pet's blood sample.
A CBC will be essential for dogs with pale gums or experiencing fever, weakness, loss of appetite, or vomiting. Blood tests for dogs with diarrhea also fall into this category.
Red blood cells (RBCs) transport oxygen to numerous tissues. A CBC counts the RBCs in your pet's blood and reveals how well they move oxygen based on the hemoglobin levels (a protein that carries the oxygen) in your furry friend's blood.
Platelets help with blood clotting. If your dog has insufficient platelets, blood may be slow to clot and bleed abnormally or excessively. A CBC will count how many platelets are in your dog's blood.
Blood work is a common diagnostic test that provides numerical values associated with the counts of cells in the blood. One such test is a complete blood count (CBC), which assesses a person's overall health. A CBC with pathology review involves sending the sample to a clinical pathologist, who assesses it under a microscope to confirm the counts provided by the machine are accurate.
The pathologist confirms the counts and can detect abnormal cells in the sample. Cell damage can indicate serious health problems like leukemia, infections, anemia, poisoning, or parasites.
Blood work is typically done before surgery to detect low platelet levels. Platelets are crucial in stopping bleeding, and your pet must have a specific amount of these to prevent excessive blood loss during surgery. Low platelet levels may also indicate serious infections such as tick-borne illnesses or life-threatening diseases.
Blood Chemistry Profile
A blood chemistry profile can tell us much about the compounds in your pet's bloodstream, including how well your dog's kidneys function.
In addition, we can determine whether there may be abnormalities in renal systems if your dog is dehydrated or if an object obstructs these areas.
The liver plays an important role in your dog's health, and elevated chemical values here could indicate liver disease or abnormalities in other organs. This test can also reveal abnormal electrolyte levels, which can be related to illnesses and conditions such as seizures and gastrointestinal disease.
Blood protein levels are another critical element of your dog's physical health. They can help the immune system function and help the blood clot properly. A blood chemistry profile will reveal valuable information about total protein, albumin, and globulin levels.
Despite the many things we can learn from blood work, the results will rarely tell us whether your pet has cancer or if cancer has spread in their body. However, CBC and chemistry panels can confirm that an animal's body responds to an oncological treatment plan without complications, such as anemia or elevated kidney values. If these are not detected, they can cause blood loss and eventually cause your dog to collapse due to weakness or organ failure.
How long does blood work take at a vet?
At our in-house diagnostic lab, we can perform numerous tests relatively quickly; in some cases, a test may take only minutes. However, some tests take a little longer. Your vet can provide an accurate time frame based on which tests are needed, how long they will take to perform, and when you can expect results.
How much are blood tests for dogs?
The precise cost of your dog's blood work depends on several factors, such as which tests are needed and where the hospital is located.
Note that the price of these critical tests covers the equipment needed to conduct them, trained staff, and laboratory costs to process them. We work hard to keep our prices affordable to provide blood and diagnostic testing for as many pets as possible.
Blood Testing for Health Status & Disease
You may have many questions and concerns if your pet requires emergency or specialty care due to illness or injury. At Animal Health Services of Cave Creek, our team supports you from the moment you enter the hospital and throughout your pet's treatment.
If your pet needs anesthesia, it is essential to have current blood work (within a month). Pets with health issues or illnesses may require more frequent blood work tests, depending on the severity of the condition.
We can answer your questions and explain why specific diagnostic tests are necessary. Our team will conduct blood and other diagnostic tests quickly, diagnose the issue, and provide you with treatment options based on the results.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.