Like us, our pets require annual physical exams. Missing one annual checkup is similar to us not seeing a doctor for 4 to 7 years. It’s important to have your pet examined to ensure they are healthy, happy and free of disease. But what about those diseases that aren’t visible to the naked eye? Blood work and urinalysis are excellent methods of detecting early signs of disease.
Blood work can be easily collected by your veterinarian with only a small prick from a needle and is an important and critical factor in the overall understanding of your pet’s health. Many diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, or cancer go unnoticed in their early stages. Performing annual blood tests, especially in senior pets, can lead to the detection of disease in its initial stages. Most often, when a disease is caught early, less involved and costly treatment is required. Sometimes a simple diet change is enough to prevent the condition from deteriorating.
Your veterinarian might be able to detect if your pet has any anemia, inflammation, bleeding problems, or cancers. Electrolytes, blood glucose, cholesterol and calcium levels, proteins and hormones, and certain enzymes can be evaluated to rule out any underlying health problems and provide your veterinarian with a baseline for future reference. Results may be immediate or take just a few days and allow your veterinarian to evaluate several systems including gastro-intestinal, kidney, liver, pancreas, heart, and endocrine.
Annual heartworm and Lyme disease testing is very important for dogs. Your canine companion should undergo a simple blood test known as a SNAP 4Dx. This test will ensure your dog has not contracted heartworm or tick borne diseases such as Lyme disease. These diseases are easily transmitted by mosquitos and ticks and can lead to severe health problems.
Cats, especially those in contact with other cats, should have viral testing to test for Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) which are two of the most life-threatening feline illnesses.
In addition to blood work, urinalysis is another test that gathers important health information about your pet’s kidneys, bladder, liver and other organs. In many instances, it will allow your veterinarian to identify signs of disease. Your pet’s urine is microscopically analyzed to identify white blood cells, red blood cells, bacteria, crystals and other elements. The concentration of the urine as well as specific values including urine pH, protein, glucose, and bilirubin are evaluated to give a better understanding of how certain organs are functioning. Urinalysis can help detect bladder or kidney infections, more severe problems such as diabetes or kidney failure, or crystals which can potentially lead to urinary blockage.
With annual exams, which include routine blood work and urinalysis, your pet can live a healthier and longer life. These tests offer you peace of mind by detecting hidden illness or diseases that could be fatal if not caught in time. When caught early, most diseases are easily managed. Help protect your pet by consulting your veterinarian about blood work and urinalysis.