Do older cats need blood work?

Do older cats need blood work?

Comprehensive testing is recommended for senior cats due to the higher risk of underlying disease. Complete Blood Count (CBC). This blood test gives information about the different cell types in the blood.

How long does it take to get blood work back from a vet?

And depending on what test it is, it’s either 24 hours to perhaps 48 to 72 hours for some of the longer taking tests. It’s completely variable and depends on what it is and the lab test. But anywhere from minutes for point-of-care diagnostics or a few days for some of the bigger, harder-to-find tests.

What kind of Bloodwork does the vet do on cats?

Typically, your vet will run a blood chemistry panel and a complete bloodcount. For cats age seven and up, she will also run a thyroid function test. A blood chemistry panel screens organ function for several organs.

How old do cats have to be to get blood work?

Most vets recommend annual testing for cats seven years and older, and, depending on a cat’s health history, annual or bi-annual testing for senior cats over the age of eleven.

Is it good to have blood work done on a pet?

Getting blood work done is never a waste, even when it results in good news. A complete blood count tells veterinarians about a pet’s red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Photo: Adina Voicu “Blood work, shmud work! Why is my vet always asking me to do blood tests?”

When to take your cat to the vet for an anesthetic?

It is critically important that every cat, regardless of her age, has complete bloodwork done before undergoing any kind of anesthetic procedure, even a routine dental cleaning. Typically, your vet will run a blood chemistry panel and a complete bloodcount. For cats age seven and up, she will also run a thyroid function test.

When to take your cat to the vet for blood work?

Whenever a cat is showing signs of illness, blood work is one of the first recommendations. Not only can it aid in giving information that can help with diagnosis, but it can also show the veterinarian what treatments might help the cat.

How are blood tests used to diagnose cats?

However, more often, blood work results are used in conjunction with the results of a thorough history of the patient’s signs, a complete physical examination done by the veterinarian, and other tests. Sometimes these things suggest a particular diagnosis, which then requires further testing to confirm.

Getting blood work done is never a waste, even when it results in good news. A complete blood count tells veterinarians about a pet’s red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Photo: Adina Voicu “Blood work, shmud work! Why is my vet always asking me to do blood tests?”

What does a complete blood count tell you about a pet?

A complete blood count tells veterinarians about a pet’s red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Photo: Adina Voicu “Blood work, shmud work! Why is my vet always asking me to do blood tests?” I hear this complaint — or a reluctance to pay for blood tests — frequently. Veterinarians often defend themselves about recommending blood work.