Blood work can tell you what your pet can’t
A tickle in your throat, a twinge in your back, a tightness in your belly—you know all the little telltale signs that an ailment is on the way so you can take steps to stay healthy when they appear.
Our pets can’t tell us when such subtle signs are bothering them, which means their problems can brew and worsen over time. An annual exam—or semi-annual exam for seniors—can catch many of these problems, like arthritis or heart disease, but even your veterinarian’s discerning physical exam can’t detect certain early internal changes.
Carefully monitoring your pet’s health with blood tests makes it easier for your veterinarian to uncover minor changes that signal the onset of disease.
The complete blood count, commonly called a CBC, is a routine test that provides information about the different cell types in the blood. These include:
The CBC identifies changes in these cells, which can point to problems like anemia, infections and even certain cancers like leukemia.
Another routine blood test is the biochemistry profile, which measures substances such as blood sugar, enzymes, electrolytes and cholesterol. These tests help to identify problems with internal organs, including the kidneys, liver, gallbladder and pancreas. For example, elevated enzyme levels can indicate that there is a problem with the organ that produces them or removes them from the body.
The CBC and biochemistry profile can reveal the presence of many forms of disease, such as chronic kidney disease, thyroid disease, diabetes and even certain cancers. Many of these health concerns can be managed more successfully if found early.
Prevent your pet from suffering in silence by calling your VCA health care team to get more information about blood work and other tests recommended for your pet. You can also check their profile to see when their next tests are due.
