Blood Work
Blood work (blood panel) is the most fundamental diagnostic tool across virtually all veterinary conditions. A comprehensive blood panel surveys hepatic (liver), renal (kidney), hematologic (blood cell), and endocrine systems, often revealing disease before symptoms appear.
Key Facts
- Central to diagnosing chronic-kidney-disease (creatinine, sdma, BUN)
- Elevated thyroxine-t4 confirms hyperthyroidism
- Liver enzyme elevations are common in hyperthyroid cats
- Hematocrit/PCV monitors anemia in CKD patients
- Phosphorus and potassium levels guide CKD treatment
- Used to screen for underlying causes of hypertension
- Wellness screening blood work enables early detection of disease in apparently healthy pets
- Species: dogs and cats
Connections (62)
Related Conditions
IGF-1 assay is the diagnostic test of choice
— serology, PCR, and culture for diagnosis
— positive FeLV/FIV test could alter healing prognosis
— elevated liver enzymes and bilirubin
Creatinine, SDMA, and BUN are the primary CKD markers.
Stress leukogram, elevated ALP, and cholesterol hint at Cushing's
Blood tests are used to identify underlying systemic triggers and assess overall health before treatment.
Coagulation panels are essential for diagnosis
TLI blood test is the gold standard diagnostic
— diagnostics may be needed to rule out medical causes
— in-clinic testing and regular monitoring
— screens for organ damage and immune response
— ELISA screening test; PCR for confirmation
— CBC shows dramatic white blood cell depletion
Low PCV/hematocrit confirms anemia
— baseline testing before antifungal treatment
Low albumin is a key finding
— needed to rule out medical causes
Ionized calcium, PTH, and PTH-rP are key diagnostic blood tests
Fasting blood panel with lipid measurements for diagnosis
Blood work screens for underlying causes (CKD, hyperthyroidism).
T4 level is the diagnostic standard.
Blood glucose measurement confirms diagnosis
— diagnostic testing
— platelet count monitoring
Paired glucose-insulin measurement is diagnostic
— monitors anemia severity in hookworm cases
Blood work may reveal secondary organ changes.
Elevated globulin is the initial clue
Antibody titer confirms diagnosis
Blood typing is essential for prevention
— part of overall health assessment
— needed to assess organ damage from poisoning
— bile acids testing
PCV/hematocrit monitoring guides treatment
Lab tests identify underlying causes
Blood tests and imaging assess shock severity
Complete blood count reveals low platelet count
— CBC and serology for diagnosis
— serology for diagnosis
Symptoms
Hematocrit/PCV monitoring is essential for CKD patients.
Lab tests assess severity of blood loss
Blood tests help identify the cause of fever
Lab tests assess clotting function and rule out bleeding disorders
— diagnostics help identify sources of pain
Essential first step in diagnosing the cause of unexplained weight loss.
Treatments
Medications
Diagnostics
Typically performed alongside routine serum chemistry panels.
Primary marker for staging kidney disease.
Fructosamine and glucose curves complement blood panels
Early kidney marker that becomes abnormal before creatinine.
Thyroid hormone measured to diagnose hyperthyroidism.
Often ordered together as a diagnostic pair.
Body Systems
Electrolyte levels are monitored via blood panel.
pH-related markers may be tracked in advanced CKD.
Monitored in CKD patients via blood work.
Electrolyte monitored in CKD patients.
Hematocrit/PCV monitoring tracks red blood cell levels.