Is lab work necessary for my pet?
your pet's lab work
Blood work, urine testing and fecal testing are all means for us to see what is happening inside your pet.
Passion for Pets and their People
Common lab tests for dogs and cats are blood work, urine and fecal testing
Some species have tendencies to develop certain problems as they age and these problems should be monitored more frequently if they are considered at-risk. For example, cats often develop kidney disease as they age, therefore, it is more common for routine lab work to include urine testing.
RECOMMENDED LAB TESTS
Some animals need very specific and detailed tests, while other animals need only basic monitoring.
The specific bundle of lab tests recommended by your veterinarian will depend on a variety of factors including but not limited to your pet’s age, current medical conditions and health status, current medications and of course, their species.
Puppies and Kittens
At your puppy or kitten’s first veterinary appointment it is very important to test for intestinal parasites by submitting a fecal test
We see a lot of new pets come in with intestinal parasites which is obviously a problem for them and other pets at home, but some parasites can also cause problems in people as well!
Your veterinarian will also recommend FeLV and FIV testing for new kittens (older cats too if they go outside). These viral diseases are common in cats, especially outdoor and feral cats. Knowing if your cat is infected with one of these life-long diseases will help you and your veterinarian care for your cat for life.
Animals can develop conditions or get sick with something that may require specific monitoring
- Valley Fever is one of the most common ailments here in the desert southwest affecting dogs and cats which we will need to test for in order to treat and monitor for resolution.
- Endocrine problems such as diabetes and thyroid disorders are also very common problems which also require long term monitoring and an internal medicine trained veterinarian.
All the staff are amazing. Dr. Gifford is attentive, spends a good amount of time with his patients, and answers questions. I was also able to get same day appointments both times my dog wasn’t feeling well. I’ve found that is hard to find at other practices.
Quality of life decisions
Regardless of where your pet is in life, Primary Pet Care will be able to recommend the right test at the right time.
