We do the best we can when it comes to keeping our pets happy and healthy. When something isn’t right with their behaviour or mood, it might be time to talk to a vet about running some blood work.

Why are blood tests important for my cat’s health?

Blood tests are important as they can aid your veterinarian in assessing your cat’s overall health. Typically, your veterinarian will recommend a blood test if they are concerned about internal disease, before any general anesthetic, before prescribing long-term medications and to assess organ function in older animals. Blood tests can also be used to detect viral diseases, immune diseases and infections.

How long does it take to get blood test results?

The length of time before results are seen depends on the testing performed. At Prevost Veterinary Clinic, we have the capability of running certain blood tests in our own clinic. Results for these tests are usually seen within 30 minutes. For other tests that need to be sent to a lab, results are usually seen within 1-2 business days but may take up to a week for more extensive tests.

How should I prepare my cat for their blood tests?

Preparation for the blood test is dependent on the testing performed. Sometimes fasting for 12hrs prior to the blood collection is required. If the blood test is looking at the performance of certain medications, the blood collection may need to be taken within a certain amount of time after the medication has been given. It is always best to ask our staff if you haven’t already been directed.

How often should blood tests be done?

Frequency of blood tests should be determined based on the individual animal’s conditions and needs. Doing blood work for apparently healthy animals can be a great strategy to watch for changes in their “normal” levels or to catch early changes in organ health prior to the onset of signs that your animal is sick.

Does your hospital perform urinalysis and biopsy?

Yes, we have the ability to run some urine tests in the clinic. Culture and sensitivity testing of the urine is sent off to a reference lab, and results are reported within 3-5 days. Tissue biopsies may be performed in the clinic but are sent off for analysis to a reference lab to be analyzed by a veterinary pathologist. Results are usually reported within 7 days.