Help your pet stay healthy by testing first.
It’s our job to ensure that your pet can properly process and then eliminate the anesthetic he or she is given. Before we perform any procedure requiring anesthesia, we run tests to confirm that your pet’s organs are functioning properly and to reveal any hidden health conditions that could put your pet at risk.

To help ensure safe anesthesia for your pet, we will run a combination of the following tests.

Blood Chemistry
Albumin (ALB) A protein that is produced by the liver. Reduced levels of this protein can point to chronic liver, kidney or intestinal disease. High levels indicate dehydration and loss of protein.

Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) An enzyme that becomes elevated with liver disease or injury.

Alkaline Phosphatase (ALKP) An enzyme present in multiple tissues, including liver and bone. Elevated levels can indicate liver disease, Cushing’s syndrome or steroid therapy.

Amylase (AMYL) An enzyme produced by the pancreas. The pancreas secretes amylase to aid in digestion. Elevated blood levels can indicate pancreatic disease.

Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) BUN is produced by the liver and excreted by the kidneys. Abnormally high levels can indicate kidney disease or dehydration, and low levels can be associated with liver disease.

Calcium (Ca2+) Increased levels can be seen with diseases of the parathyroid gland and kidneys, or as an indicator of certain types of tumors.

Cholesterol (CHOL) Elevated levels of cholesterol are seen in a variety of disorders, including hypothyroidism, liver or kidney disease.

Creatinine (CREA) Creatinine is a by-product of muscle metabolism and is excreted by the kidneys. Elevated levels can indicate kidney disease, urinary tract obstruction or dehydration.

Blood Glucose (GLU) High levels can indicate diabetes. In cats, high levels can also indicate stress, which can merely be a result of the trip to the veterinary hospital. Low levels can indicate liver disease, infection or certain tumors.

Phosphorus (PHOS) Elevated phosphorus can be an indicator of kidney disease.

Total Bilirubin (TBIL) Bilirubin is a breakdown product of hemoglobin as well as a component of bile. Blood bilirubin levels are useful in indicating liver disease and possibly help characterize anemia.

Total Protein (TP) The level of TP can detect a variety of conditions, including dehydration and diseases of the liver, kidney or intestine.

Additional tests depending on age, species and breed (e.g., lipase for dogs, GGT for cats, NH3 for both).

Hematology
Hematocrit (Hct) Provides information on the amount of red blood cells (RBCs) present in the blood. A low hematocrit indicates anemia (low red blood cells or hemoglobin).

Complete Blood Count (CBC) A more complete panel of tests, a CBC provides detailed information on red blood cell counts, white blood cell counts and platelets. The total white blood cell counts and individual cell counts can indicate leukemia, stress, inflammation or an inability to fight infection. Low platelet numbers can indicate a bleeding problem. We might advise that surgery be delayed if anemia, inflammation or especially a low platelet count is present because these conditions could cause serious surgical complications.

Morphologic Inspection Looking at the cells through a microscope can provide information on the type of anemia or inflammation, or other abnormalities, such as leukemia.

Electrolytes
Sodium, Potassium, Chloride (Na+, K+, Cl-) The balance of these electrolytes is vital to your pet’s health. Abnormal levels can be life-threatening. Electrolyte tests are important in evaluating vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration and cardiac (heart) symptoms.

T4 (thyroxine)
This is a measurement of the level of thyroid hormone circulating in the blood, and is helpful in identifying thyroid disease. Thyroid disease occurs in both dogs and cats, and can have a serious impact on health if left untreated. Testing is especially important for cats over the age of seven.

Urinalysis
The urine contains by-products from many organs, such as the kidneys, liver and pancreas. Abnormal levels of these by-products can indicate diabetes, liver or urinary tract disease.

Electrocardiogram
Detects heart rate and electrical rhythm. Certain abnormal rhythms and heart rates can be harmful to animals undergoing anesthesia.