Sick and emergency situations. Blood work provides you with a valuable picture of your pets health and is often the first step when pets are brought in to a clinic because they are sick or in an emergency situation. It helps the veterinary staff make immediate decisions, so they can quickly help your pet.
Preanesthetic testing. Blood work is routinely done prior to your pets surgery, dentistry, or other procedures that require anesthesia. It lets the veterinary staff know if anesthesia is safe for your pet and allows them to make adjustments if they see anything abnormal. This blood work is often performed the same day as anesthesia is scheduled, making it easy for you and your pet because it eliminates the need to have your pet fast more than once and reduces the number of trips your need to make to the hospital.
Preventative care screening. Because the signs that your pet is sick are not always obvious, preventive care testing is often recommended as part of your pet's annual exam. Preventive care screening not only uncovers disease before it's too late, but can also help you avoid significant medical expenses and risks to your pet's health.
Medication monitoring. Some medications can have side effects. Periodic blood work while your pet is being treated can find these problems early and allow your veterinarian to make necessary changes. With other medications, blood tests are needed to ensure that the dosage is appropriate.
