Blood Tests and Screening: What We Look For

Preventative healthcare plays a vital role in keeping pets happy and healthy for as long as possible. While physical exams are an important part of routine veterinary visits, blood tests and screening can provide valuable information about what’s happening inside your pet’s body—often before symptoms appear.

Just as with people, many diseases in pets develop gradually. Routine blood screening allows veterinarians to detect early changes, monitor organ function and identify potential problems before they become serious.

Why Blood Tests Matter

Blood tests give us insight into how your pet’s internal organs are functioning. They can help detect illness earlier, guide treatment decisions and establish a “baseline” for your pet’s normal health.

Many pets appear perfectly healthy on the outside even when early disease is developing. Screening blood work can sometimes reveal subtle changes months or even years before obvious symptoms appear.

This is especially valuable for senior pets, but it can benefit pets of any age.

What Do We Look For?

Routine screening blood tests typically include two main components: a biochemistry panel and a complete blood count (CBC). Each test provides different information.

1. Red Blood Cells

Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body. Low levels can indicate anaemia, which may be caused by blood loss, chronic disease, parasites or immune disorders. High levels may indicate dehydration or other underlying conditions.

2. White Blood Cells

White blood cells are part of the immune system. Changes in their numbers can suggest infection, inflammation, stress or immune-related disease.

3. Platelets

Platelets help the blood clot properly. Low platelet levels can increase the risk of bleeding and may indicate infection, immune disease or bone marrow issues.

Organ Function Screening

Blood chemistry tests evaluate how well major organs are working.

Liver Function

The liver performs many essential roles, including detoxifying the body and processing nutrients. Elevated liver enzymes may indicate inflammation, infection, toxin exposure or other liver conditions.

Kidney Function

The kidneys filter waste from the blood and regulate fluid balance. Changes in kidney markers may be one of the earliest indicators of kidney disease, which is common in older pets.

Blood Glucose

Blood glucose levels help screen for conditions such as diabetes. Abnormal levels may also occur with stress or other illnesses.

Electrolytes

Electrolytes such as sodium, potassium and chloride help regulate nerve and muscle function, hydration and organ balance. Abnormal levels can occur with dehydration, kidney disease or hormonal conditions.

Additional Screening Tests

Depending on your pet’s age, breed, lifestyle or clinical signs, our veterinarians may recommend additional screening tests.

These may include:

• Thyroid testing, particularly in older cats or certain dog breeds

• Heartworm screening in dogs

• Tick-borne disease screening in at-risk areas

• Pancreatic testing if digestive disease is suspected

• Urine testing, which complements blood work and provides additional information about kidney health and urinary tract issues

The Importance of Baseline Testing

One of the most useful reasons for screening blood tests is to establish your pet’s baseline values while they are healthy.

Every pet is slightly different. Having previous results on file allows our vets to compare changes over time and detect subtle trends that may signal early disease.

For example, a value that is technically within the “normal range” may still represent a significant change for your individual pet.

When Should Pets Have Blood Screening?

Our veterinarians may recommend blood tests:

• During annual or biannual health checks

• Before anaesthesia or surgery

• If your pet is showing signs of illness

• To monitor ongoing medical conditions

• When starting or monitoring certain medications

Senior pets often benefit from more frequent screening, as the risk of age-related conditions increases over time.

A Window Into Your Pet’s Health

Blood tests are one of the most valuable tools veterinarians have for understanding what’s happening beneath the surface. When combined with a physical exam and your observations at home, they help create a complete picture of your pet’s health.

Routine screening can help detect problems earlier, guide treatment decisions and support a longer, healthier life for your pet.

If you have questions about blood testing or preventative health screening, we are always happy to help you decide what’s best for your pet.