Even pets that seem happy, playful, and healthy can have hidden medical problems. Left undetected, these problems can grow into serious and sometimes life-threatening conditions. Regular blood tests are essential for identifying diseases at the earliest stage possible when intervention is most successful. Regular blood tests also help your veterinarian detect health issues before they become more serious, which saves you time and money.
Sick or elderly animals often have more than one disease affecting them at one time. In turn, this often complicates diagnosis and treatment. However, laboratory tests can help diagnose specific problems and put your pet back on the right track to a speedy recovery. In addition, some medications can be more harmful than beneficial if your pet has certain underlying problems such as kidney or liver disease; blood tests make sure your pet is healthy enough to take prescribed medications. Finally, even in young and healthy pets, laboratory testing helps your veterinarian establish a baseline picture of what represents good health for your pet.