Canine Laboratory Tests for Veterinary Care
A blood test, or lab test, allows us to gather crucial information about your dog’s health that can only be obtained by collecting a blood sample and analyzing it. This encompasses a complete blood count (CBC) and blood chemistries that evaluate various chemical components present in the blood. A CBC identifies and quantifies white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets in a specific volume of blood, analyzing their shape and condition for health and functionality. This information is valuable in assessing your dog’s immune system (white blood cells) and oxygen-carrying capacity (red blood cell count).
Furthermore, blood tests for dogs can also reveal:
- Glucose
- Proteins
- Electrolytes
- Cholesterol
- Endocrine levels
- Digestive enzymes
Since the chemicals found in the bloodstream can correlate with specific organs, lab work can provide insights beyond just blood count. For instance, if dog blood tests indicate low albumin levels, veterinarians will investigate the liver, as albumin is produced there. Lab work can also detect complex issues within body systems, alerting the veterinarian to potential endocrine system problems.
Consequently, canine blood tests are invaluable tools for veterinarians in detecting, identifying, diagnosing, and even treating illnesses or diseases.
Furthermore, blood tests for dogs can also reveal:
- Glucose
- Proteins
- Electrolytes
- Cholesterol
- Endocrine levels
- Digestive enzymes
Since the chemicals found in the bloodstream can correlate with specific organs, lab work can provide insights beyond just blood count. For instance, if dog blood tests indicate low albumin levels, veterinarians will investigate the liver, as albumin is produced there. Lab work can also detect complex issues within body systems, alerting the veterinarian to potential endocrine system problems.
Consequently, canine blood tests are invaluable tools for veterinarians in detecting, identifying, diagnosing, and even treating illnesses or diseases.
When Will a Veterinarian Recommend Dog Blood Tests?
There are several situations that may prompt a veterinarian to order dog blood work:
- During the first veterinary visit: We recommend that puppies undergo blood tests to screen for congenital diseases, establish baseline health metrics, and for pre-anesthetic testing before spay or neuter surgeries.
- During semi-annual wellness exams: Blood work may be suggested as part of a thorough physical examination, as it can identify conditions that a physical exam alone might miss.
- If your dog seems unwell: Canine blood tests are appropriate when a dog is acting abnormally without overt signs of illness, disease, or injury.
- Pre-surgical testing: These tests help evaluate liver and kidney function to determine the safest dosage of anesthesia, especially in infirmed, elderly, or injured patients.
- Before starting a new medication: Particularly if the medication is metabolized by the liver or kidneys.
- During senior wellness exams: Blood tests are typically recommended for senior and geriatric dogs during their periodic wellness checks. These tests often lead to identifying and treating conditions that can significantly enhance their quality of life.
While our in-house laboratory can process some types of dog blood work, the majority is sent to an external laboratory for detailed analysis. Some of the common lab tests we perform include:
- Urinalysis: Evaluates your dog’s urine for hydration status, infections, kidney or bladder disease, and diabetes.
- Fecal Exam: We recommend an annual stool sample check to analyze for intestinal parasites and to assess color, consistency, and presence of blood or mucus.
- Complete Blood Count (CBC): Assesses blood features, including red and white cell counts, immunity status, and hemoglobin levels.
- Blood Clotting Times: Tests for any bleeding disorders.
- Blood Chemistries: Evaluates the status of your dog’s internal organs and their overall health prior to anesthesia.
- Cytology: Involves collecting samples from the skin or ears for infection analysis and may include biopsy of lumps or masses to check for cancer cells.
We encourage discussions with our veterinarians to make informed decisions regarding any necessary dog blood work.
How Our Dog Laboratory Processes Blood Work
At Love Animal Hospital & Urgent Care, we not only have veterinary staff on duty for handling pet health emergencies, but we also operate our own in-house laboratory. This setup enables us to process various types of lab work for dogs promptly and efficiently. In emergencies, this capability is particularly crucial as it allows us to quickly obtain results and implement timely medical interventions.
Understanding the results of canine blood tests is second nature to our team, and we strive to clearly communicate these results to pet owners. We believe that effectively addressing any issues indicated by a blood test requires an informed and collaborative effort from both our veterinary team and the pet’s caregivers.
How Our Dog Laboratory Processes Blood Work
At Love Animal Hospital & Urgent Care, we not only have veterinary staff on duty for handling pet health emergencies, but we also operate our own in-house laboratory. This setup enables us to process various types of lab work for dogs promptly and efficiently. In emergencies, this capability is particularly crucial as it allows us to quickly obtain results and implement timely medical interventions.
Understanding the results of canine blood tests is second nature to our team, and we strive to clearly communicate these results to pet owners. We believe that effectively addressing any issues indicated by a blood test requires an informed and collaborative effort from both our veterinary team and the pet’s caregivers.
If we recommend blood work for your dog, it will likely involve either a Complete Blood Count (CBC) or a Blood Chemistry (serum) test. The CBC reveals various health indicators such as hydration status, infection, anemia, and blood clotting ability—critical for dogs displaying symptoms like fever, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, pale gums, or loss of appetite. If surgery is necessary, a CBC is essential for detecting bleeding disorders or other hidden abnormalities.
If we recommend blood work for your dog, it will likely involve either a Complete Blood Count (CBC) or a Blood Chemistry (serum) test. The CBC reveals various health indicators such as hydration status, infection, anemia, and blood clotting ability—critical for dogs displaying symptoms like fever, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, pale gums, or loss of appetite. If surgery is necessary, a CBC is essential for detecting bleeding disorders or other hidden abnormalities.
The Complete Blood Count provides detailed information including:
- Hematocrit (HCT): Measures the percentage of red blood cells to detect anemia and hydration levels.
- Hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (Hb and MCHC): Reflect the oxygen-carrying capacity of red blood cells.
- White blood cell count (WBC): Indicates the body’s immune response; fluctuations suggest certain diseases or infections.
- Granulocytes and lymphocytes/monocytes (GRANS and L/M): Different types of white blood cells that serve specific roles.
- Eosinophils (EOS): Type of white blood cell potentially indicating allergic or parasitic reactions.
- Platelet count (PLT): Assesses the body’s ability to form blood clots.
- Reticulocytes (RETICS): Immature red blood cells; elevated levels can indicate regenerative anemia.
- Fibrinogen (FIBR): Important for understanding blood clotting functionalities.
Blood Chemistries provide insights into:
- Albumin (ALB): Evaluates hydration, hemorrhage, and issues related to the intestinal, liver, and kidney health.
- Alkaline phosphatase (ALKP): Elevations may indicate liver damage or active bone growth in young dogs.
- Alanine aminotransferase (ALT): Identifies active liver damage but not the cause.
- Amylase (AMYL): High levels may suggest pancreatitis or kidney issues.
- Aspartate aminotransferase (AST): Increases may signal damage to the liver, heart, or skeletal muscle.
- Blood urea nitrogen (BUN): Assesses kidney function; elevated levels could indicate kidney or liver disease, among other conditions.
- Calcium (Ca): Level changes can signal various diseases.
- Cholesterol (CHOL): Helps in diagnosing conditions such as diabetes mellitus and liver disease.
- Chloride (Cl): An electrolyte often lost during vomiting or Addison’s disease.
- Cortisol (CORT): Hormone measured in tests for Cushing’s and Addison’s diseases.
- Creatinine (CREA): Indicates kidney function and helps differentiate causes of elevation in BUN.
- Gamma-glutamyl Transferase (GGT): An enzyme that points to liver disease.
- Globulin (GLOB): Often rises with chronic inflammation or certain diseases.
- Glucose (GLU): Elevated levels often imply diabetes; low levels could lead to critical health emergencies.
- Potassium (K): An electrolyte whose levels can indicate kidney failure or Addison’s disease.
- Lipase (LIP): Enzyme that may hint at pancreatitis.
- Sodium (Na): Typically lost in various health issues, affecting hydration status.
- Phosphorus (PHOS): Often elevated with kidney disease.
- Total bilirubin (TBIL): High levels may indicate liver issues or diseases associated with bile ducts.
- Total protein: Offers insights into hydration as well as liver and kidney health.
- Thyroxine (T4): Levels signal thyroid activity; low levels often signal hypothyroidism.
- Albumin (ALB): Evaluates hydration, hemorrhage, and issues related to the intestinal, liver, and kidney health.
- Alkaline phosphatase (ALKP): Elevations may indicate liver damage or active bone growth in young dogs.
- Alanine aminotransferase (ALT): Identifies active liver damage but not the cause.
- Amylase (AMYL): High levels may suggest pancreatitis or kidney issues.
- Aspartate aminotransferase (AST): Increases may signal damage to the liver, heart, or skeletal muscle.
- Blood urea nitrogen (BUN): Assesses kidney function; elevated levels could indicate kidney or liver disease, among other conditions.
- Calcium (Ca): Level changes can signal various diseases.
- Cholesterol (CHOL): Helps in diagnosing conditions such as diabetes mellitus and liver disease.
- Chloride (Cl): An electrolyte often lost during vomiting or Addison’s disease.
- Cortisol (CORT): Hormone measured in tests for Cushing’s and Addison’s diseases.
- Creatinine (CREA): Indicates kidney function and helps differentiate causes of elevation in BUN.
- Gamma-glutamyl Transferase (GGT): An enzyme that points to liver disease.
- Globulin (GLOB): Often rises with chronic inflammation or certain diseases.
- Glucose (GLU): Elevated levels often imply diabetes; low levels could lead to critical health emergencies.
- Potassium (K): An electrolyte whose levels can indicate kidney failure or Addison’s disease.
- Lipase (LIP): Enzyme that may hint at pancreatitis.
- Sodium (Na): Typically lost in various health issues, affecting hydration status.
- Phosphorus (PHOS): Often elevated with kidney disease.
- Total bilirubin (TBIL): High levels may indicate liver issues or diseases associated with bile ducts.
- Total protein: Offers insights into hydration as well as liver and kidney health.
- Thyroxine (T4): Levels signal thyroid activity; low levels often signal hypothyroidism.
To determine which blood tests are most beneficial for your canine companion, we recommend scheduling an appointment with one of our veterinarians at Love Animal Hospital & Urgent Care today.
