Holiday Hazards: What to do if your Pet Swallowed Something Dangerous
The holidays are a great time to spend time with your loved ones, including your pets. However, with all the delicious food, cheerful guests, and
Lab work plays a crucial role in maintaining your pet’s health. Veterinary blood work gives the experts an inside look at your pet’s overall wellness. Through the details that lab work testing provides, we have a better understanding of your dog or cat’s overall health. Whether you suspect something is wrong, surgery is coming up, or it’s just time for your pet’s wellness check, veterinary lab work allows us to keep your furry friend in the best health possible.
At Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic in Colorado Springs, we complete comprehensive blood work to ensure your pet is healthy. We offer blood tests for dogs and cats as a standalone service and an essential step before surgical procedures, such as spaying and neutering, and dental surgery. Veterinary lab work allows our expert staff to understand the current state of your pet’s health. Regular blood tests are beneficial to help maintain your pet’s wellness for many years to come. Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic is here when they need blood work to keep your furry loved one healthy and happ
We recommend routine blood work for puppies and kittens, older pets, pregnant pets, and pets with health concerns. Collecting lab work for your pet regularly at wellness exam appointments is also beneficial for identifying, preventing, and treating health concerns.
The results from blood tests allow our veterinary team to detect signs of diseases and other illnesses before your pet starts displaying symptoms. Early treatment can provide a better outcome for your pet and lower veterinary costs for you. It is also helpful to blood test your pet while they are healthy to establish a baseline that can be compared with future lab results.
If your pet is scheduled to undergo surgery, lab tests will be conducted before the surgery to ensure their safety. We make sure we know as much as possible about the health of your pet, which is why veterinary lab work is so important. The results of blood tests will show essential information about your pet, such as kidney and liver efficiency. The lab work results help our team determine the safest levels of anesthesia for your pet and the risks of surgery. If any health concerns appear in the lab results, we will reschedule the surgery or discuss alternative treatment routes for your furry friend.
Keeping on top of your pet’s veterinary lab work means keeping on top of your pet’s health. Blood tests are one of the most important tests that your pet can have completed. Doing so ensures your pet is healthy for years to come.
When or why your pet might need veterinary laboratory testing is determined by how they’re feeling, age, and other factors that only relate to your companion. It’s usually for good reason and something you discuss with your vet before making any decisions.
You should consider lab work for your pet:
There are various types of lab work that your dog or cat can have completed that are very common for pets of all shapes and sizes in Colorado Springs. Different tests will show different results to allow us to diagnose and treat your pet properly. We can complete and process blood work for many types of veterinary tests. The most common include:
If you have concerns about your pet’s health, discuss this with your veterinarian. They can determine if veterinary lab work is needed for your dog or cat.
The holidays are a great time to spend time with your loved ones, including your pets. However, with all the delicious food, cheerful guests, and
Cats are agile and known to “always land on their feet.” Even so, their cute little paws can end up swollen if they run into
Cats are remarkably independent; they often keep to themselves and take care of their own basic needs to the best of their ability all while
It’s completely normal to feel a bit anxious when your pet needs blood work, but at Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Whether your furry friend is undergoing routine testing or being evaluated for specific health concerns, our caring team is dedicated to making the process as smooth as possible. Blood tests, including a complete blood count (CBC), are essential tools that provide valuable insights into your pet’s overall health, and we’re here to ensure you feel informed and supported throughout the process.
One of the most common questions we hear is, “Why does my pet even need a blood test?” Blood tests can reveal vital information about your pet’s internal health, sometimes even before symptoms appear. Conditions such as liver disease and kidney disease can be detected early through routine cat and canine blood tests, allowing for quicker intervention and a better prognosis.
It’s natural to worry about your pet experiencing discomfort, but rest assured that our experienced veterinary team takes every measure to keep your pet comfortable during the procedure. The process is quick, minimally invasive, and most pets only feel a small pinch—similar to what humans experience during a blood draw.
Waiting for test results can feel stressful, but we’re here to help you understand exactly what they mean. A complete blood count (CBC) and other lab tests give us important clues about your pet’s health. If there are any signs of concern, such as indications of liver or kidney disease, we’ll discuss the findings in detail and guide you through the next steps for care.
The waiting period for blood test results can vary depending on the specific tests. In many cases, routine tests can provide results within a day. However, more specialized testing may take a bit longer, typically a few days. No matter the timing, our team at Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic will keep you updated and explain the results as soon as they’re available, so you’re never left in the dark.
Blood work is generally a very safe procedure for pets, and complications are rare. The most common issue may be minor bruising or slight discomfort at the site where the blood was drawn. In some cases, pets may feel a little anxious, but our skilled veterinary team ensures the process is as stress-free as possible. The benefits of blood tests, such as detecting early signs of so many health conditions, far outweigh the minimal risks involved. We’re always here to discuss any concerns and ensure your pet’s safety is our top priority.
Preparing your pet for blood work is simple, and we’ll provide clear instructions beforehand. In some cases, we may ask that your pet fasts for a few hours before the appointment to ensure the most accurate results, especially for tests related to liver or kidney function. It’s also helpful to keep your pet calm and relaxed before the visit. Bringing along a favorite toy or blanket can provide comfort. If you have any questions or concerns about the process, our team at Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic is always here to help guide you through the preparation.
Veterinary lab work is one of the most beneficial things you can do to take care of your pet. Blood work shows us detailed information about the health of your dog or cat. As a vet in Colorado Springs, we are here to look at the fine details so you can focus on the big picture — loving your pet. Your Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic family is here to walk you through each test, what they can tell us, and the results for your furry loved one.
By understanding your pet’s blood work, our expert veterinarians and veterinary staff can provide your pet with the best care possible.We believe it is important to provide you with the best information about your pet’s health so you can focus on keeping them happy, healthy, and well-loved for years to come. If your pet is showing signs of health concerns or it is time for their routine wellness exam, contact Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic today to schedule an appointment for veterinary lab work!