Blood tests are a vital diagnostic tool and pre-anaesthetic check for your pets. At Vets on Balwyn, we advise regular blood testing for dogs and cats to catch health issues early, evaluate anaesthetic suitability, and help diagnose illnesses when your pets aren’t quite themselves.
Why Are Blood Tests Important for Pets?
Because pets can’t communicate their discomfort, blood tests are a vital way to identify hidden health concerns. Blood screening for dogs and cats helps by:
- Catching illnesses early, often before any signs appear.
- Minimising risks with anaesthetic pre-screening.
- Diagnosing the root cause of illness when pets feel unwell.
- Monitoring treatment outcomes and adjusting dosages.
A blood panel for dogs and cats can uncover key health information, including:
- Organ function: such as the liver, kidneys, and pancreas
- Enzyme levels: which can indicate muscle damage or inflammation
- Red and white blood cell counts: revealing signs of anaemia, infection, or immune response
- Hormonal imbalances and diseases: like thyroid conditions, diabetes, or infections
- Blood clotting factors: abnormalities that may contribute to bleeding disorders or affect wound healing
When Might Your Pet Need a Blood Test?
Regular blood tests for pets are essential in various circumstances, including:
- Routine Health Screenings: Regular blood tests aid in the early detection of illness or decreasing organ function before pets become unwell. This is particularly important for more senior pets. We recommend annual blood tests for pets, increasing to twice yearly from age 7–9 or if health issues are detected.
- Pre-Anaesthetic Screening: Blood tests before surgery evaluate anaesthetic risks for dogs and cats. At Vets on Balwyn, we provide pre-anaesthetic blood screening for all pets undergoing desexing and recommend that all patients receiving anaesthesia have a blood test unless one has been performed recently.
- Monitoring Chronic Conditions: Regular veterinary blood tests help manage ongoing health issues, tracking treatment effectiveness and side effects.
When Your Pet Is Unwell
Blood tests aren’t only for prevention—they’re essential in identifying health concerns when your pet is sick. Symptoms like loss of appetite, vomiting, lethargy, or odd behaviour can indicate deeper issues. Blood testing helps pinpoint the cause and guides effective treatment.
How Are Blood Tests Performed?
Taking blood is simple and minimally invasive. Our veterinarian will:
- Shave a small patch of fur on your pet’s neck or leg
- Sterilise the area
- Draw a small blood sample
Using in-house analysers, we ensure fast pre-anaesthetic screening and diagnostic results. For more extensive testing, samples are forwarded to an external pathology lab. Blood tests are generally brief and cause little to no pain for most pets.
Book a Blood Test for Your Pet
At Vets on Balwyn, we provide high-quality care for your dog or cat. Whether your pet requires a routine blood screening or more specialised veterinary blood tests, our experienced team is here to help.
Book an appointment today to help safeguard your furry friend’s health.
