Caring for your beloved pet can seem overwhelming at times. That’s why including regular bloodwork in their health plan is so important.
Bloodwork helps your veterinarian diagnose future concerns by producing an accurate baseline for internal metabolism. That baseline can then be used to compare blood test results later in life. There is a long list of conditions that can be diagnosed by blood tests, including diabetes, liver and kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, anemia, Feline Leukemia (FeLV), Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), blood clotting disorders, and more.
Every pet is different, and blood tests should be requested by a veterinarian after careful professional analysis. Bloodwork is unlikely to make a significant difference for young healthy pets, but will set a baseline for their care in the future. For senior pets, however, regular testing is strongly recommended, as some diseases become more common in old age and early diagnosis can allow earlier and more effective treatment.
Your veterinarian can guide decisions related to bloodwork. A general recommendation is to have your pet’s blood work done annually. Senior pets—dogs 8 years old or older and cats 11 years old or older—benefit from having routine blood work every 6 months because their health can deteriorate as they age. Early detection of abnormalities in organ function can be key to identifying health conditions at an early stage so that prompt, more effective treatment can be given. There may also be other factors in your decision, such as when anesthesia or surgery is planned. If there are abnormal parameters, such as bleeding disorders, a procedure may be deferred.
Animals are fiercely stoic and it can be hard to know when they may be in pain. Bloodwork can offer peace of mind, confirming that your pet is happy and healthy.
