Why might my dog need lab work?
Lab work is necessary when we have concerns about potential illnesses or conditions inside your dog’s body that we cannot physically see.
Dr. Amanda German
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital
Why are laboratory tests so important for my dog's health?
Laboratory tests are valuable as they provide insights into your dog’s internal health. For instance, if your dog has kidney or liver issues, these tests ensure that everything is functioning appropriately.
What different types of lab work are there, and how are these tests done?
Lab work can be done through blood work, urinalysis where we check urine, or fecal tests. All of these are considered laboratory tests.
Why are routine blood tests important for my dog?
Routine testing is essential to make sure that everything remains normal and there have been no significant changes over the years.
What do the chemistries mean in my dog's blood work?
Chemistries refer to different enzymes in the blood. For instance, liver enzymes include ALT, AST, GGT, ALP, and total bilirubin. Kidney function is indicated by BUN, creatinine, and SDMA. Pancreas health is represented by lipase and amylase levels, and endocrine diseases can be detected by looking at electrolytes and total T4 among other factors.
How does a baseline lab test benefit the health of my dog?
Baseline laboratory tests provide a standard reference point. When your dog falls ill, any elevation from these normal levels helps us understand what's happening internally.
Why is early detection and diagnosis of dog illnesses using lab work so important?
Early detection is important as it allows us to address the illness quickly, preventing it from progressing further.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (407) 896-0941, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram
Dog Lab Work - FAQs 1
Dr. Amanda German
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital
What can blood tests help a veterinarian detect?
Blood tests can help us detect if your dog has heartworms, kidney disease, liver issues, or even infections or anemia.
What type of lab tests do veterinarians use?
We use blood work, urinalysis, and fecal tests.
How does my veterinarian decide which lab tests to order for my dog?
The decision depends on the reason for your dog's visit and any previous illnesses they've had.
How long does it take to get the results from dog lab tests?
The timeframe varies depending on the tests we're using. Sometimes we can get results the same day or the next day, but sometimes it can take a couple of weeks.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (407) 896-0941, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram
Dog Lab Work - FAQs 2
Dr. Amanda German
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital
How is blood drawn from my dog?
Typically, we draw blood from either your dog's neck or one of their legs.
Is the sample collection painful for my dog?
Normally, the process is not painful for your dog. As long as your dog is calm and cooperative, everything should be just fine.
How is the safety of my dog ensured when getting lab work done?
We ensure your dog's safety by making sure that they're not jumping or running around during the process.
How soon will I receive my dog's lab results?
The waiting period for lab results can vary. Sometimes, it can be the same day, sometimes the next, or in some cases, it can take a couple of weeks. We will let you know what to expect at your appointment..
Does my senior dog really need lab work done?
Most definitely. As dogs age, they are more susceptible to systems shutting down. We want to detect and address these issues as soon as possible to prevent them from becoming a problem.
Will my dog need more than one type of lab test?
Sometimes, yes. Depending on the situation, we may need to do a Complete Blood Count (CBC), a CBC and chemistry, or we may want to add in a urinalysis, thyroid test, or even just a fecal test to check for worms.
Will follow-up lab work need to be done on my dog?
Depending on what we find in the initial lab work, sometimes we do need to do follow-up tests.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (407) 896-0941, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram