Pets Blood Tests: Necessary Boon Or Burden For The Pet Parents
Dr Amarnath Muthukrishnan,CEO-AMULYA PETS SPECIALITY CLINIC – SALEM.
A blood test allows your veterinarian to learn information about your pets health which can only be found from collecting a sample of blood and having it analyzed. This includes a CBC (Complete Blood Count) also called as Hematology and Blood Bio-chemistry which the analyze chemical components in the blood.
WHY YOUR Veterinarian Recommend pets Blood Tests?
The following situations can result in dog blood work being ordered as mandatory
- On the first veterinary clinic visit: We recommend puppies to have blood test for ruling out congenital diseases, for baseline information if your pet shows any form if clinical distress , dull , or any unhealthy signs.
- If a pet seems not quite right: Canine blood tests are suitable for a pet which is not displaying any overt signs of illness, disease or injury, but is acting abnormal
- Pre-surgical tests: Pets 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 infirmed, elderly or injured patient
The following situations can be with owners discretion with risk acceptance
- A) Semi-annual wellness exams: This is recommended mostly by every veterinarian and it as part of a thorough examination because pets blood work, along with other bodily fluids like urine, can help identify conditions which the physical Examination cannot be found , and give the status of your pet as a part of periodic wellness examination as preventive measure .
- B) Prior to starting a new medication: Particularly for new medication may be metabolized by the liver or kidney and to know their healthiness
- C) Senior wellness exams: Pet blood tests are usually recommended for mature, senior and geriatric Pets (Aged more than 8 years ) as part of their periodic wellness exams. These are extremely beneficial, as we often see senior pets returning to a more youthful state of being when blood tests identify an issue that can be easily treated
Some of the most common lab work for your pets that may veterinarian prefer are:
Urinalysis: We evaluate your pet’s urine to reveal hydration status, infections, kidney or bladder disease, diabetes and other health conditions
Fecal Exam: We recommend checking your pet’s stool sample annually (mandatory ). It is sent to a lab and analyzed for intestinal parasites, fungus, or protozoa. It is also checked for color, consistency, as well as the presence of blood or mucus.
Complete Blood Count (CBC): We analyze your pet’s blood to assess features of the blood, including red and white cell count, immunity status, and the measure of hemoglobin, which is the actual substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen
Blood Clotting Times: We test your pet’s blood for bleeding disorders
Blood Chemistry: We identify the status of your pet’s vital internal organs, and also gauge their health before anesthetizing for surgery
Cytology: We collect samples of sebum and cellular debris on the skin and in the ears to determine if infection is present.
In addition, we may perform needle or core biopsy of lumps or masses on your pet’s body to look for cancer cells.
why do we veterinarian need so much info about your pets:
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
This is the most common blood test performed on pet’s and people. A CBC gives information on hydration status, anemia, infection, the blood’s clotting ability, and the ability of the immune system to respond. This test is essential for pets with fevers, vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness, pale gums, or loss of appetite. If your pet needs surgery, a CBC can detect some bleeding disorders or other unseen abnormalities.
Red Cell Count measures the total number of red blood cells per volume of blood. It is used in detecting anemia and other disorders of red blood cells. MCV (Mean Cell Volume) measures the volume of the individual red blood cell.
- Haemoglobin is the oxygen-carrying pigment of red blood cells. MCHC and MCH (mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration and mean corpuscular haemoglobin) are all measures of haemoglobin and used in differentiating some anemias.
- PCV (packed Cell Volume or hematocrit) measures the percentage of red blood cells to detect anemia and dehydration.
White Cell Count (white blood cell count) measures the body’s immune cells. Increases or decreases may indicate certain diseases, infections or inflammation.
- Neutrophils, lymphocytes and monocytes are specific types of white blood cells. Disturbances of these may indicate infection, stress, cancer, hormonal imbalances and other conditions.
- Eosinophils are a specific type of white blood cell that may indicate allergic or parasitic conditions.
Platelet count measures cells that help to form blood clots.
Reticulocytes are immature red blood cells. High levels indicate rebuilding of red blood cell numbers.
Blood Bio-Chemistry
These common blood serum tests evaluate organ function, electrolyte status, hormone levels and more. They are important in evaluating older pets, pets with vomiting, diarrhoea or toxin exposure, pets receiving long-term medications and health before anesthesia.
- Na (sodium) is an electrolyte lost with vomiting, diarrhoea, kidney disease and Addison’s disease. This test helps indicate hydration status.
- K (potassium) is an electrolyte lost with vomiting, diarrhoea or excessive urination. Increased levels may indicate kidney failure, Addison’s disease, dehydration or urethral obstruction. High levels can lead to a heart attack.
- Cl (chloride) is an electrolyte often lost with vomiting and Addison’s disease. Elevations often indicate dehydration.
- Bicarb is an indication of acid / base balance and can be changed with vomiting and other conditions.
- BUN (blood urea nitrogen) indicates kidney function. An increased level in the blood is called azotemia and can be caused by kidney, liver, heart disease, urethral obstruction, shock and dehydration.
- CREA (creatinine) reveals kidney function. This test helps distinguish between kidney and non-kidney causes of elevated BUN
- Ca (calcium) deviations can indicate a variety of diseases. Tumours, hyperparathyroidism, kidney disease and low albumin are just a few of the conditions that alter serum calcium.
- PHOS (phosphorus) elevations are often associated with kidney disease, hyperthyroidism and bleeding disorders.
- AMYL (amylase) elevation may indicate pancreatitis or kidney disease.
- LIP (lipase) is an enzyme that may indicate pancreatitis.
- TP (total protein) indicates hydration status and provides additional information about the liver, kidneys and infectious diseases.
- ALB (albumin) is a serum protein that helps evaluate hydration, haemorrhage, intestinal, liver, and kidney disease.
- GLOB (globulin) is a blood protein that often increases with chronic inflammation and certain disease states, including some cancers.
- TBIL (Total Bilirubin) elevations may indicate liver or hemolytic disease. This test helps identify bile duct problems and certain types of anemia.
- ALKP (alkaline phosphatase) elevations may indicate liver damage, Cushing’s disease or active bone growth in young pets. This test is especially significant in cats.
- ALT (Alanineamino Transferase) is a sensitive indicator of active liver damage but doesn’t indicate the cause.
- GGT (Gamma Glutamyl Transferase) is an enzyme that indicates liver disease or corticosteroid excess.
- AST (Asparate Amino Transferase) increase may indicate liver, heart or skeletal muscle damage.
- CK (Creatine Kinase) is an enzyme that indicates muscle damage.
- LDH (Lactic Dehydrogenase) is an enzyme that can be elevated in muscle, heart and liver disease.
- CHOL (cholesterol) is used to aid in the diagnosis of hypothyroidism, liver disease, Cushing’s disease and diabetes mellitus.
- GLU (glucose) is a blood sugar. Elevated levels may indicate diabetes mellitus. Low levels can cause collapse, seizures or coma.
- Cortisol is a hormone that is measured in tests for Cushing’s disease (the low-dose dexamethasone suppression test) and Addison’s disease (ACTH stimulation test)
- T4 (thyroxine) is a thyroid hormone. Decreased levels often signal hypothyroidism in dogs, while high levels may indicate hyperthyroidism in cats.
