Routine labwork is a cornerstone of preventive care, allowing veterinarians to detect potential health concerns early and provide the best possible care for your pet. Even pets that seem perfectly healthy can have underlying issues that are only visible through diagnostic testing. By the time symptoms appear, a disease may have already progressed significantly, making treatment more challenging.
At Cascade Summit Animal Hospital, we follow age-specific recommendations to ensure that every pet receives appropriate wellness screenings:
Pets up to 7 years old should have annual lab screenings. These tests help establish a healthy baseline and monitor for early signs of infection, organ dysfunction, anemia, and metabolic diseases like diabetes.
Pets 8 years and older should have semi-annual lab screenings. As pets age, they are at higher risk for conditions such as kidney disease, liver dysfunction, thyroid imbalances, diabetes, and cancer. More frequent monitoring allows for early intervention, better management of chronic conditions, and an improved quality of life.
What’s Included in a Wellness Lab Panel?
A comprehensive wellness lab panel typically includes:
Complete Blood Count (CBC): Evaluates red and white blood cells to check for anemia, infection, and immune system health.
Blood Chemistry Panel: Assesses kidney and liver function, electrolyte balance, and metabolic health.
Thyroid Testing: Especially important for older pets to detect hypothyroidism in dogs and hyperthyroidism in cats. This is in a senior panel.
Urinalysis: Helps evaluate kidney function, detect infections, and identify signs of diabetes or bladder issues. This is in a senior panel.
Routine labwork allows us to track subtle changes in your pet’s health over time, catching issues early and tailoring medical care to their specific needs.
At Cascade Summit Animal Hospital, we are committed to proactive veterinary care. If your pet is due for labwork, now is the perfect time to schedule an appointment!