Even healthy dogs and cats benefit from routine bloodwork. Annual lab testing helps veterinarians establish baseline values, monitor organ function, and detect early signs of disease before symptoms develop. In many cases, catching issues early can lead to simpler treatment, lower costs, and better long-term outcomes.
When pets are happy and energetic, it’s easy to deprioritize preventative care. Unfortunately, many conditions present without initial symptoms, and cats and dogs are known to hide their pain. If an uneventful year has you considering skipping your pet’s wellness visit, here are a few reasons to reconsider.
A physical exam can tell your veterinarian a lot, but it can’t reveal how your pet’s internal organs are functioning or provide insight into their metabolic health.
Bloodwork allows your vet team to look below the surface and detect subtle changes, often before they become serious problems.
Labwork can reveal:
Because our pets can’t tell us when something feels “off,” regular bloodwork can uncover issues before they show any overt signs of discomfort.
The Value of a BaselineOne of the biggest advantages of including bloodwork in your wellness visit is establishing what’s “normal” for your individual pet.
Just like people, not all pets fall perfectly within textbook ranges. Your dog’s normal may be slightly different from another dog’s, and determining their unique baseline will make it much easier to recognize changes over time.
When your veterinarian has access to prior bloodwork results, they can spot trends that might otherwise go unnoticed. For example, a value that’s steadily increasing year after year may be worth investigating, even if it’s still within the normal range.
Routine bloodwork screens for a wide range of conditions that can affect dogs and cats of all ages. Some of the most common include:
Early kidney dysfunction often has no obvious symptoms. Bloodwork can detect changes in kidney values before your pet becomes sick, allowing for dietary adjustments or treatment that can help slow progression.
Elevated liver enzymes can signal inflammation, infection, or other underlying issues that warrant further investigation.
Abnormal sodium, potassium, or calcium levels can point to dehydration, organ dysfunction, or endocrine disease.
Aging pets are at an increased risk for diabetes, but the condition can strike at any phase of life. Detecting changes in blood glucose levels is crucial for identifying diabetes before classic signs like increased thirst or urination appear.
Both hypothyroidism (more common in dogs) and hyperthyroidism (more common in cats) can be identified through blood testing.
A complete blood count (CBC) provides a lot of insight into potential health problems. A low red blood cell count (anemia) may point to vitamin or mineral deficiencies, while a high white blood cell count can indicate infection or immune-related conditions.
In many cases, early detection allows for less invasive treatment and a better quality of life.
Routine bloodwork is an important part of preventative care for all pets, but certain cats and dogs have an even greater need for consistent monitoring.
As pets age, their risk for chronic conditions increases. For most dogs and cats, “senior” status begins around age 7, though this can vary somewhat with breed and size.
Older pets are more prone to conditions like kidney disease, arthritis, diabetes, and thyroid disorders, which may develop gradually. Annual (or even semiannual) bloodwork helps catch these issues while they are more manageable.
Cats and dogs diagnosed with conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, or endocrine disorders require especially close monitoring. Bloodwork can help guide treatment decisions, track disease progression, and adjust medications as needed.
Pets who are managing a chronic condition with medication may need more frequent bloodwork. Certain prescriptions can impact the function of organ systems with long-term use, and regular labwork allows your veterinarian to monitor for side effects.
If your cat or dog is going to be put under, even for a routine procedure like a dental cleaning, bloodwork is usually recommended. Labs help confirm that your pet’s organs are functioning properly and that they’re healthy enough to tolerate anesthesia.
In many ways, bloodwork is most useful when pets are healthy. Preventive testing is about catching problems before they become serious (and more expensive) to treat.
Most blood draws are quick and well-tolerated. Veterinary teams are trained to minimize stress and keep pets comfortable and distracted throughout the process.
While bloodwork can be an added expense, early detection is a tremendous money-saver for pet parents. Preventive care helps avoid emergencies and, in many cases, preserves less invasive, less expensive treatment options.
Thorough veterinary care isn’t just for sick dogs and cats. The most impactful interventions can happen when nothing seems wrong.
Pets age faster than we do — a year in their life represents a significant span of time, and a lot can change beneath the surface in that window. Annual bloodwork is part of a larger preventative approach that fills the gaps for pets who aren’t always able to tell us when they don’t feel well.
Work with your veterinarian to design a wellness schedule that fits your pet’s age and health history. Proactive care is one of the best ways to add healthy, happy years to your cat or dog’s life.
At Falls Village Veterinary Hospital, a Raleigh, NC veterinarian, dogs, cats & their families deserve the best. In fact, we specialize in delivering warm, compassionate care that reminds our clients and patients how unique and important they truly are. We provide complete veterinary care including dentistry, laser therapy, surgery, and more. Call us today!
