Pet Health Screening Tests
in Jacksonville, FL
Preventative care includes yearly blood work even when your pet appears healthy. This provides a valuable base line of what your pet’s normal organ function looks like. When animals show us that they feel sick, their diseases are often in a more advanced stage. Routine lab work allows us to find many of these diseases in earlier stages which makes treatment and/or management more effective.
When Will A Veterinarian Recommend a Comprehensive Screening Panel?
The following situations can result in blood work being suggested:
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On the first veterinary visit: We recommend kittens and puppies complete blood tests to rule out congenital diseases, for baseline information, and for pre-anesthetic testing prior to spaying or neutering.
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During semi-annual wellness exams: This is recommended as part of a thorough physical examination because cat or dog's blood work, along with other bodily fluids like urine, can help identify conditions that the examination portion of a physical cannot.
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If an animal seems not quite right: blood tests are suitable for an animal that is not displaying any overt signs of illness, disease, or injury but is acting abnormally.
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Pre-surgical tests: Cat or dog blood work is used to determine the efficiency of the liver and kidneys, which helps a veterinarian select the safest dose of anesthesia. Tests can also help determine the surgical risk level in infirm, elderly, or injured dogs.
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Prior to starting a new medication: This is particularly useful for new medications that may be metabolized by the liver or kidney.
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During senior wellness exams: Blood tests are usually recommended for mature, senior, and geriatric animals as part of their periodic wellness exams. They are extremely beneficial, as we often see seniors return to a more youthful state when blood tests identify an issue that can be easily treated.