Is Your Pet Due for Bloodwork? Here’s How to Know
Queen Creek Veterinary Clinic
Most pet owners do not keep “bloodwork” on the family calendar.
You remember vaccines. You remember the annual exam. You definitely remember when the food bag is almost empty.
But when was your pet’s last blood test?
If you have no idea, you are not alone.
At Queen Creek Veterinary Clinic, we recommend bloodwork based on your pet’s age, health, medications, symptoms, and previous results. Some pets need it regularly. Others may only need it at certain points in their lives.
Here is how to know when it may be time.
Bloodwork Is More Than One Test
When your veterinarian says “bloodwork,” we may be recommending several measurements that tell us different things.
A complete blood count evaluates red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. A chemistry panel can provide information related to kidney and liver values, blood sugar, proteins, electrolytes, and other internal processes.
We may also recommend urine testing, thyroid testing, or another test depending on your pet.
The important thing is that the testing has a purpose. We want information that can help us make decisions about your pet’s care.
Your Puppy or Kitten May Need Bloodwork Before You Expect
Healthy young pets usually do not need bloodwork at every wellness visit.
But if your puppy or kitten becomes sick, testing can help us investigate symptoms such as poor appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, low energy, or poor growth.
Bloodwork is also commonly recommended before anesthesia.
If your pet is having a spay, neuter, or another procedure, testing can help us identify certain concerns before anesthesia begins.
Young pets are often very healthy. Pre-anesthetic testing simply gives us another layer of information.
Healthy Adults: This Is When Baselines Matter
If your pet feels great, bloodwork may seem unnecessary.
But a healthy result today can become useful information later.
When we repeat bloodwork in the future, we can compare the new results with your pet’s earlier numbers. That helps us see trends and changes over time.
For some adult pets, annual bloodwork may make sense. For others, another interval may be appropriate.
Your veterinarian will consider age, breed, lifestyle, medical history, medications, and previous results before making a recommendation.
Senior Pets: Time for More Regular Check-Ins
As dogs and cats get older, we often recommend checking their internal health more frequently.
Senior pets are more likely to develop chronic conditions, and many of them start with small changes.
A cat may lose weight while still eating. A dog may start emptying the water bowl faster. Your pet may sleep more, have changes in appetite, or need more bathroom breaks.
Bloodwork can help us look for medical reasons behind those changes.
Depending on the pet, senior bloodwork may be recommended every six to twelve months. A pet with an existing condition, changing results, or a medication that needs monitoring may need testing more often.
There is no single age when every pet becomes senior. Your veterinarian can help you determine when your dog or cat has reached that life stage.
Five Signs It May Be Time to Call
Do not wait for your pet’s next scheduled exam if you notice a meaningful change.
Increased thirst or urination, unexplained weight loss, repeated vomiting or diarrhea, reduced appetite, and unusual weakness or fatigue are all reasons to contact your veterinarian.
Other symptoms can matter too. Pale gums, collapse, or a significant behavior change should always get your attention.
Bloodwork may help us narrow down what is happening and determine whether additional testing is needed.
Does Your Pet Take Daily Medication?
If yes, bloodwork may already be an important part of their care plan.
Certain medications require monitoring because they can affect organs, blood cells, electrolytes, or other values. In other cases, testing helps us confirm that treatment is working.
Your pet may need bloodwork after starting a medication, after a dose adjustment, or at regular intervals during long-term treatment.
If you are not sure why a recheck is needed, ask us. We want you to understand what we are monitoring.
Before Surgery or Dentistry
Another time we commonly recommend bloodwork is before anesthesia.
A physical exam gives us valuable information, but it cannot tell us everything about your pet’s internal health.
Pre-anesthetic bloodwork can help us identify concerns that may affect the plan.
If something unexpected shows up, we may adjust anesthesia, recommend additional testing, or postpone an elective procedure. If the results look normal, they still give us useful baseline information.
So, Is Your Pet Due?
Maybe. The answer depends on your pet.
A young healthy dog, an adult cat with no medical concerns, a senior dog, and a pet taking medication all have different needs.
At Queen Creek Veterinary Clinic, we can review your pet’s history and tell you whether bloodwork makes sense now.
If you cannot remember when their last blood test was, that is an easy place to start. Ask us at your next visit and we can help you figure out the right schedule going forward.