Bloodwork is a vital part of your pet’s health. It helps us track, diagnose and treat any conditions, especially in the early stages. Early diagnosis of most health issues ensures we have a comprehensive understanding of it and are able to provide you with our sound medical expertise to recommend next steps.
What is bloodwork?
Our veterinary team recommends bloodwork for a range of reasons. The goal of bloodwork is to establish a baseline of your pet’s health and determine if any changes could be cause for concern. The most common bloodwork we request are the complete blood (CBC) and blood chemical analysis, which give us a snapshot of your pet’s current health. This can help us diagnose issues like parasites, kidney failure, diabetes, liver disease and allergies.
When else could my pet need bloodwork?
If you’ve noticed sudden changes in your pet’s behaviour or they don’t quite seem like themselves, bloodwork can give us a better idea of what’s happening internally. We could recommend bloodwork if your pet has any of the following:
- Pale or pinkish skin
- Losing weight rapidly
- Vomiting
- Refusing to eat
- Behaving aggressively
How often do you recommend it?
A few factors like your furry friend’s age and overall health help us determine how often your pet will need bloodwork. For example, senior pets, puppies and kittens should have their blood tested every six months since they’re likely to experience frequent changes in their health. Pets with underlying health issues like diabetes, heart conditions or liver disease should have regular bloodwork so we can track the progression of their disease. If you have questions about our bloodwork services and in-house laboratory, please contact us at 905-983-9010.
