“Blood
tests, Doctor? Why do we need
that?”
“Blood
tests are so expensive.”
“All those
abbreviations make we dizzy!”
The fact is
that we can get a LOT of valuable information about your pet by running simple
and comparatively inexpensive tests.
Some tests can be run in our office, with results in less than fifteen
minutes; some tests have to be sent to another laboratory, with results usually
the next day.
The CBC – Complete Blood Count
WBCs –
White Blood Cells – Part of the immune system; high numbers often signal a
bacterial infection, while low numbers often indicate a viral infection or poor
immunity
RBCs – Red
Blood Cells – Carry oxygen, and they make up the majority of the PCV (Packed
Cell Volume). Low PCV may indicate
anemia, while high PCV may indicate dehydration
Platelets –
needed for clotting
Liver tests – ALP and ALT are liver enzymes, released from
liver cells when they are damaged. These
enzymes may also be elevated in other disease states.
Kidney tests – BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen) and Creatinine –
these waste products increase when the pet is dehydrated, when there is kidney
disease, or during urinary obstruction.
Glucose test – Sugar, source of energy for the body’s cells;
this test helps us diagnose and monitor general nutrition status and various
disease conditions, such as diabetes mellitus and other metabolic diseases.
Pancreas – Amylase and Lipase – These enzymes are released
when the pancreas is damaged or inflamed (pancreatitis).
Electrolytes – Sodium, Potassium, Chloride – These salts are
involved in water balance and acid/base status; abnormal levels can be seen in
diseases of the stomach and intestines, kidneys, adrenal gland, and other
organs.
Thyroid – Thyroxine (T4) – A hormone secreted by the thyroid
gland, plays a role in regulating your pet’s rate of metabolism. In cats, it is sufficient to test just the T4
level. In dogs, thyroid profiles (5-9
tests in one) are needed, since T4 is not the sole dimension of thyroid status
in this species.
Urinalysis – This urine test is a good screening test for
diseases of the urinary tract, diabetes, and liver disease.
Fecal – This is a stool worm test for intestinal
parasites. A fecal smear or culture may
be necessary to check for other bacterial diseases.
Electrocardiogram – An EKG monitors heart electrical
impulses. It may reveal arrhythmias or
heart enlargement, and is insight into the progression of heart disease.