Lab Testing

Our lab testing can reveal important information about your pet that a physical exam may not detect. Animals might not show outward signs of illness, so this diagnostic tool can uncover what your pet won’t or can’t tell us. A veterinarian may recommend it on the following occasions:

It’s Your First Lab Testing Visit

Basic bloodwork, such as a CBC, can rule out certain diseases or deficiencies and also provide important baseline information. If your pet ever starts to show physical symptoms, having that baseline helps us differentiate what’s abnormal from their normal range.

Your Pet Has Physical Symptoms or is Acting Abnormally

If your pet has signs or symptoms of an illness, lab testing can tell us things that the physical test can’t. Even if your pet shows no signs of illness, sometimes they may act abnormally because something is going on in their body that they can’t communicate.

Your Pet is Going to be Scheduled for Surgery

Before any procedure, it is important to check the status of the liver and kidneys in order to use the safest dose of anesthesia. In older or sicker pets, a blood test can also reveal the level of risk involved in surgery.

Your Pet is Having a Senior Wellness Exam

It’s usually recommended for senior pets to have blood tests periodically to watch out for any abnormalities so that they can be treated as quickly as possible.

Your Pet is Taking Medication

If your pet is taking medication (for example, an anti-inflammatory, thyroid, heartworm, anti-seizure, blood pressure, diuretic, or urinary incontinence medication), they may need regular blood testing to ensure that they are receiving the correct dosage and that it is not causing any other unwanted side effects.

Lab testing can help us identify the condition of your pet’s immune system and overall body system functioning. For example, a CBC (complete blood count) test can identify the shape, condition, and count of white and red blood cells and platelets in a given sample. Looking at white blood cells can give us information about your pet’s immune system, and looking at red blood cell count can tell us about oxygen carrying capacity. Blood Chemistries can also identify the presence and amount of the following:

Glucose
Proteins
Electrolytes
Cholesterol
Endocrine Levels
Digestive Enzymes

These tests can tell us what might be causing your pet’s symptoms, but they can also detect problems in specific organs or complex body systems that might show no symptoms at all.

Some other common lab tests include:

Urinalysis: evaluates urine for hydration, infections, and diseases.
Fecal Exam: evaluates a stool sample for color, consistency, and the presence of blood, mucus, parasites, or fungus.
Cytology: evaluates a sample of sebum or debris from the skin or ears for infection.
Biopsy: evaluates a mass for cancer cells.

Schedule Our Lab Testing Today

Get a clear picture of your pet’s health with our lab testing at Brookhurst Animal Medical Center. From baseline screenings to diagnostic workups, we help catch issues early. Schedule an appointment today to get started.

If you have any questions or concerns about our lab testing, feel free to call our office or ask your vet in Anaheim at your next appointment.