Blood testing is a common recommendation from veterinarians. However, due to the additional cost that is associated with getting this bloodwork done, some pet owners choose not to have these tests carried out.
In some instances, it is necessary for the identification of a disease process, while in others, it may be a part of a routine wellness exam to offer your pet a “warrant of fitness.” In either case, the results of the test will help determine whether or not your pet is healthy. To better care for your animal family member, blood tests can provide vital information to your veterinarian.
Importance of Blood Tests
Often, veterinarians wish they could ask their patients where the pain is coming from. Unfortunately, assessing unwell animals is more challenging, which is why blood work is such a useful diagnostic tool for veterinarians. Here are some of the most common justifications given by vets for suggesting a blood test for your pet.
1. To Evaluate and Monitor Pet’s Health
In most cases, the first time you take your pet to a kitten vet in Monroe, the doctor will suggest scheduling a blood test for the animal. Even if it seems like your pet is in good health, getting their blood tested will help you establish a baseline for their future findings.
This will be helpful in the future for monitoring your pet’s health and ensuring that preventative care is provided to lessen the likelihood of disease occurring.
2. To Identify Disease
When a dog or cat exhibits strange behavior, many owners take them to the vet. A blood test can be helpful in diagnosing the cause of symptoms like increased urination or scratching in cats or unexplained weight loss or growth in dogs.
Specific proteins, enzymes, and white blood cells can be detected in a blood test and used as biomarkers for disease. By doing so, pet owners may ensure that their pets receive the finest possible care, preventing more expensive veterinary costs down the line. You can have more info here by reading blog posts and articles about it.
3. To Use for Pre-Surgery Evaluation
If it is necessary for your pet to have surgery, then bloodwork testing will help ensure that all of the essential organs function as they should before and after the procedure. This will be helpful for the veterinarian or a vet lab to determine whether or not any medicine has to be prescribed in advance to improve the blood results to guarantee that the surgery will be successful and that your pet will return to excellent health.
4. To Check for Viral, Bacterial, or Parasitic Infections
Blood tests can sometimes reveal the existence of a viral, bacterial, or parasitic infection after a pet owner has seen unusual behavior in their dog or cat. Infections, for instance, typically increase white blood cell counts in diagnostic labs.
Bloodwork is essential to detect heartworm, Lyme’s, canine distemper, and kennel cough in dogs. There is no substitute for a feline blood test for detecting diseases, including feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline leukemia virus (FeLV), and leptospirosis.
5. To Evaluate Treatment
Bloodwork is typically used to detect disorders like diabetes, kidney and liver diseases, or anemia immediately so that the proper therapy can be administered.
After treatment has been administered, a battery of tests may be needed to determine whether or not the treatment is effective and whether or not your pet requires further evaluation and treatment.
