Blood tests
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Blood Check:
Blood or lab tests allow us to obtain information about your dog's health that can only be found from collecting a sample of blood and having it analyzed. This includes a CBC (complete blood count) and blood chemistries, which analyze chemical components in the blood.
Many dogs will instinctively hide their pain as a survival mechanism, which, in the past, led well-meaning experts to presume that dogs did not feel pain the same way humans do. We now know that dogs have a nervous system very similar to humans, and we know better how to recognize and manage their pain.
A CBC for dogs identifies and quantifies white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets in a given amount of blood. This includes analyzing the shape and condition of the cells for health and functionality. This provides information about your dog's immune system (white blood cells) and oxygen carrying capacity (red blood cell count).
Additionally, blood tests for dogs can also identify:
- Glucose
- Proteins
- Electrolytes
- Cholesterol
- Endocrine levels
- Digestive enzymes
Because chemicals found in the bloodstream can also correlate with specific organs, lab work for dogs can help determine more than just blood count. For example, if dog blood tests show a deficiency in albumin levels, then a veterinarian knows to examine the dog's liver because albumin is produced in the liver
Lab work for dogs can also detect and help to identify complex problems with body systems. For example, blood tests for dogs can detect abnormal hormonal-chemical responses to environmental and internal stimuli, which alerts a veterinarian to a potential issue with the dog's endocrine system.