In House Laboratory

Adams Farm Animal Hospital, P.A. can perform a wide array of diagnostic tests to quickly assess your pet’s health and determine what therapy is required. Our fully equipped diagnostic department offers blood work and procedures that provide more detailed information about your pet so that we can treat him or her in the quickest, most effective way possible.

Blood Work and Your Pet
Pets can’t say how they’re feeling—it’s usually how they look or act that tells you something is wrong. You play a key role in helping your pet combat illness and stay as healthy as possible. Awareness of the warning signs and regular preventive health screens, including a physical exam and blood work, are the best ways to ensure your pet lives a long, healthy, and happy life.

When Is Blood Work Necessary?

• Sick and emergency situations. Blood work provides you with a valuable picture of your pet’s health and is often the first step when pets are brought in to a hospital because they are sick or in an emergency situation. It helps the veterinarian make immediate decisions, so they can quickly help your pet.
• Preanesthetic testing. Blood work is routinely done prior to your pet’s surgery, dentistry, or other procedures that require anesthesia. It lets the veterinarian 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 you need to make to the hospital.
• Preventive 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.

What Tests Might Be Run?
There are tests that are routinely performed when blood work is recommended. They include:

• A complete blood count (CBC) tells you if your pet has an infection, if inflammation is present, or if your pet is anemic.
• A complete blood chemistry panel including electrolytes provides information about your pet’s liver, kidneys, and pancreas, as well as other functions of the body, such as blood sugar and hydration.
• A urinalysis identifies an infection or inflammation in the urinary tract.
• A thyroid function test detects whether or not your pet’s thyroid gland is functioning properly. Thyroid disease is very common in older cats and dogs.

When Can I Expect Results?
Many of the tests routinely recommended can be performed in-clinic, providing results quickly and allowing for immediate treatment of your pet. In-clinic blood testing also lets you be more involved in your pet’s care, since you can discuss test results with your veterinarian while you’re still at the clinic. Normal results can rule out certain diseases immediately, so you can worry less. If results are abnormal, we can make fast decisions about next steps, including treatment and additional tests. This saves you time as well and gives you answers that will help your pet right away.