We recommend pre-anesthesia blood screening to help us evaluate your pet's health prior to surgery. Our modern high tech laboratory equipment allows us to obtain blood samples and have results on the same day prior to surgery. The following tests are routinely run, but in some circumstances (older pets or pets with existing health problems) additional test may also be recommended. These tests help us make your pet's anesthesia and surgery as safe and least stressful as possible. The basic tests and the information we gain from them are explained below:
CBC - Complete Blood Count
Red Blood Cell Count: The count of the total number of red blood cells (RBCs). They are the most numerous and longest lived blood cell, critical for oxygenation and blood-acid base balance.
White Blood Cell Count with Differential: The count of the total number of white blood cells (WBCs) and the percentage of Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, Eosinophils and Basophils which are the different types of WBCs. A decreased or elevated count or change in the percentage of WBCs may indicate bone marrow disease, some leukemias, parasite infestation, allergies and bacterial or viral infections.
Hematocrit: Is an indicator of anemia or low red blood cell count.
Platelet Estimate: Helps determine blood clotting ability.
ALP: Is an enzyme found in many body tissues.The highest levels are found in the cortex of the kidney and in the liver. An increase in ALP can be an indicator of liver or kidney disease.
ALT: Is an enzyme that is specific to the liver in dogs and cats. It is an indicator of liver injury.
BUN: Is an indicator of kidney disease or pathological conditions which result in bleeding into the gastrointestinal tract.
Creatinine: Is used as an indicator of kidney disease in dogs and cats Glucose: Detects diabetes, hypoglycemia, pituitary and adrenal gland disease.
Total Protein: May detect liver or kidney disease, also indicates the degree of hydration, nutritional status and gastrointestinal disease.