Labwork

Routine Labwork for Dogs & Cats

Even when pets seem perfectly healthy, a lot can be going on under the surface.

In human medicine, doctors often recommend yearly bloodwork to catch early changes. For pets, this is even more important—because they age much faster than we do. A year for them can equal several years for us, which means health changes can happen quickly.

Routine labwork helps us catch problems early, often before your pet shows any signs at home.

Why It Matters

Pets are very good at hiding illness. By the time symptoms show up, disease can already be advanced.

Routine screening helps us:

• Catch issues early (when they’re easier to treat)

• Monitor organ function over time

• Screen for parasites and tick-borne diseases

• Establish what’s “normal” for your pet

• Keep your pet feeling their best as they age

What’s Included in Routine Testing?

We tailor labwork based on your pet’s age, lifestyle, and risk factors—but here’s a breakdown of what we commonly check:

Fecal Test

Checks for intestinal parasites (like roundworms, hookworms, and giardia) that aren’t visible to the eye and can sometimes be passed to people.

4DX Test (Dogs)

A small blood test that screens for:

• Heartworm disease

• Lyme disease

• Ehrlichia

• Anaplasma

If Lyme is detected, we may run a C6 test, which helps us understand how active the infection is.

Triple Test (Cats)

Screens for:

• Feline leukemia (FeLV)

• Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)

• Heartworm (in certain cases)

Understanding Bloodwork (What Do These Tests Mean?)

We know the names can sound confusing—here’s a simple breakdown:

• Chem 25 / Chem 27: A chemistry panel that looks at organ function, including the liver, kidneys, blood sugar, proteins, and electrolytes.

• CBC (Complete Blood Count): Evaluates red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets—helping us look for infection, inflammation, anemia, and more.

• SDMA: An early and sensitive marker for kidney function (often detects changes sooner than traditional values).

• T4: A thyroid test, especially important in senior pets (commonly elevated in older cats, sometimes low in dogs).

• Urinalysis (UA): Looks at urine concentration, kidney function, and checks for infection, crystals, or other abnormalities.

• ProBNP / BNP: A heart screening test that helps detect early signs of heart disease, even before symptoms appear.

Dog Wellness Screening

Young Adult Dogs (Typically yearly)

• Chem 27

• SDMA

• CBC

• Fecal test

• 4DX test

• Reflex C6 (if needed)

Senior Dogs (Every 6–12 months)

• Chem 27

• SDMA

• CBC

• Fecal test

• 4DX test

• Reflex C6

• T4 (thyroid)

• Urinalysis

Cat Wellness Screening

Young Adult Cats (Typically yearly)

• Chem 25
• SDMA
• CBC
• Fecal test
• Triple test

Senior Cats (Every 6–12 months)

• Chem 25
• SDMA
• CBC
• Fecal test
• Triple test
• T4 (thyroid)
• Urinalysis
• ProBNP (heart screening)

Extra Screening for Senior Pets

As pets get older, we often recommend a more in-depth look at their health.

Expanded Senior Screening

Includes everything in the senior panel, plus:

• BNP for additional heart evaluation

Imaging Options (Available In-Hospital)

We also have advanced imaging available when needed:

• Digital X-rays

• Ultrasound

These allow us to look at internal organs in real time and can help catch issues that bloodwork alone might miss.

Our Goal

Our goal is simple—keep your pet healthy, happy, and with you as long as possible.

Routine labwork is one of the best ways we can do that.

If you’re ever unsure what your pet needs, just ask—we’re happy to walk you through it and make a plan that feels right for you and your pet.