At Paws in the City, we believe that proactive care is the best care for your beloved pet. While a nose-to-tail physical exam is essential, what’s happening inside your pet’s body is equally vital. That's where pet blood work comes in.

Routine blood tests, including pre-anaesthetic blood work and annual wellness screenings, provide a critical window into your pet's internal health. They help us catch potential issues early, ensure safe procedures, and establish a healthy baseline.

What is Pet Blood work and What Does it Check For?

When we recommend blood work for your dog or cat, we are typically referring to two main components: a Complete Blood Count (CBC) and a Chemistry Panel.

1. Complete Blood Count(CBC) for Pets

A CBC for pets provides detailed information about the different types of cells circulating in your pet's blood. This simple test helps us evaluate:

• Red Blood Cells: Detects anaemia (low red blood cell count), which can indicate underlying diseases, bleeding, or nutritional deficiencies. High counts can suggest dehydration.
• White Blood Cells: Identifies infections (bacterial, viral, fungal), inflammation, stress, and even certain types of cancer. Different types of white blood cells give us clues about the specific nature of the problem.
• Platelets: Essential for blood clotting. Low platelet counts can indicate bleeding disorders or immune-mediated diseases, which is critical to know before any surgery.

2. Veterinary Chemistry Panel

The veterinary chemistry panel measures various chemical components in your pet's blood plasma. These values tell us how well your pet’s organs are functioning and can flag metabolic conditions.Key areas include:

• Kidney Function: Measures blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine to assess how well your pet's kidneys are filtering waste from the blood. Early kidney disease detection is crucial for management.
• Liver Function: Evaluates enzymes like ALT, ALP, and bilirubin, which indicate liver damage or disease. The liver plays a vital role in detoxification and metabolism.
• Pancreatic Function: Checks glucose (blood sugar) levels for diabetes screening and sometimes enzymes like amylase and lipase to assess pancreatic health.
• Protein Levels: Helps evaluate hydration, nutritional status, and various other conditions.
• Electrolytes: Balances of sodium, potassium, and chloride are essential for nerve and muscle function and can be affected by dehydration, kidney disease, or other illnesses.

Why is Pre-Anaesthetic Blood work for Dogs and CatsSo Important?

Any time your pet undergoes a procedure requiring anaesthesia(such as a dental cleaning, spay/neuter, or tumour removal), pre-anaesthetic bloodwork is a non-negotiable step at Paws in the City.

• Ensuring Anaesthesia Safety: Bloodwork helps us identify any hidden health issues (like kidney or liver problems) that could make anaesthesia risky. It allows us to tailor the anaesthetic protocol to your pet's specific needs, significantly reducing complications.
• Detecting Hidden Illnesses: Many conditions, especially in their early stages, show no outward symptoms. Bloodwork can reveal these underlying problems before surgery, allowing us to postpone if necessary and address the issue first.
• Establishing a Baseline: This pre-surgical bloodwork also provides a valuable baseline of your pet's normal healthy values. This can be incredibly useful for comparison in future years.

The Value of Annual Pet Wellness Screenings (Annual Bloodwork for Dogs and Cats)

Even if your pet is young and appears healthy, annual bloodwork for dogs and cats is a cornerstone of preventative care.

• Early Disease Detection: Pets age much faster than humans. Annual screenings allow us to establish an individual baseline for your pet and detect subtle changes that can indicate the beginning of diseases like kidney disease, liver disease, or diabetes, often before clinical signs appear. Early detection often means more effective and less invasive treatment options.
• Monitoring Chronic Conditions: For pets with ongoing health issues, regular bloodwork helps us monitor the effectiveness of     treatments and adjust medications as needed.
• Peace of Mind: Knowing your pet's internal health provides reassurance and helps you make informed decisions about their care.

Paws in the City: Your Partner in Preventative Care

At Paws in the City in London, we are dedicated to providing the highest standard of veterinary care. Routine bloodwork is a powerful tool that allows us to safeguard your pet's health, ensuring they live a long, happy, and vibrant life by your side.

Don't wait for symptoms to appear. Talk to our team about scheduling your pet's annual wellness exam and bloodwork today.

Contact Paws in the City or visit our website to learn more about our comprehensive diagnostic services.

Ealing: 0204519 9857 – ealing@pawsinthecityx.com

Greenford: 020 4519 2670 –greenford@pawsinthecityx.com

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