There are many sorts of laboratory testing, most of which are performed when we need to determine what is triggering your dog’s health problem. It does not require to be linked to a health problem; however, lab work is normally carried out to determine a disease’s origin or any ailment, such as heartworm illness or intestinal tract worms. It isn’t always noticeable; however, we perform lab tests to check if those compounds are present in that patient.
Common Tests Are Performed at Veterinary Laboratories
Veterinary labs with diagnostic laboratory experts are outfitted with the required gear and personnel to carry out various key tests that provide your veterinarian with important info about your pet’s health and condition.
Here’s what you should understand about the tests that might be conducted if you send samples from your pet to a veterinary lab.
Biopsies
When it comes to routine exams for puppies and kittens, biopsies are a popular diagnostic strategy for dogs and cats. Their objective is to provide info on the sorts of cells discovered in a certain part of the body that seems abnormal, such as an area of abnormally raised skin or a swelling or bump.
A tiny sample of the abnormal area is extracted from your pet and submitted to the laboratory for evaluation, typically under regional or general anesthesia. The lab technician will then attempt to determine what the cells are made of and how they relate to one another.
This will assist them in figuring out the problem impacting your pet and the best suitable treatment.
Blood Analysis
Blood is, unsurprisingly, among the most commonly analyzed samples provided to veterinary labs. This is because your pet’s blood might reveal much about their overall health and specific health problems. Blood tests are frequently separated into numerous elements:
- Complete blood count (CBC): This tests the quantity and look of blood cells and is utilized to diagnose and monitor illness and infection. This test will analyze red cells, white blood cells, and platelets (responsible for blood clots).
- Blood chemistry testing: This analyzes the different compounds discovered in your pet’s blood, such as glucose levels, salt levels, and proteins, and can inform your veterinarian how well your pet’s different body systems perform.
Sometimes, veterinarians buy particular blood tests to evaluate your pet’s metabolic rate, liver function, or thyroid. These tests are typically essential if your pet displays signs of disease and will be utilized to confirm it.
Stool Examination
If you provide a sample of pet feces, this will also be submitted for testing. The specialist will prepare the sample before being analyzed under a microscope, which can discover internal parasites such as tapeworms, roundworms, and hookworms. You can try to check out their page here to learn more about it.
Urine Examination
Urine analysis is required to identify the many urinary tract disorders that may harm our pets. A urine specimen might be required if your pet indicates an issue with its kidneys, bladder, or other portion of the urinary system.
The lab technician will perform tests to analyze the look, chemistry, and sediment, which can be used to discover conditions such as diabetes, urinary system bleeding, and kidney illness.
