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I recently adopted an adult dog from the local animal shelter. Her name is Pookie, and she is a wonderful addition to our home. As soon as we adopted Pookie, I took her to my veterinarian for a thorough exam and we made an appointment to have Pookie spayed. It has been quite a while since we last had a new pet, so when the doctor asked if I was interested in pre-operative bloodwork, I was unsure of what to do. What is pre-operative bloodwork and what are the benefits of such a procedure? |
When an animal is about to undergo anesthesia, it is always a good idea to draw a few milliliters of blood and do some testing. After the blood is drawn, it may be sent out to a lab, or it may be run "in-house" if your veterinarian has that capability. For a young, healthy animal the two tests most commonly run are the complete blood count and the chemistry screen. The complete blood count is used to determine the number and types of cells in the blood, which may allow a veterinarian to diagnose anemia, infection and certain types of cancer. The chemistry screen is an important test which evaluates function of several organs, the most important being the liver and kidneys. These organs are important in animals undergoing anesthesia because they function to remove the anesthetic from the body. If your animal is older or showing clinical signs of disease, other tests may be necessary. Geriatric cats commonly develop hyperthyroidism, which can make anesthesia an increased risk. Thus, older cats should be checked for hyperthyroidism periodically and prior to elective surgeries. Similarly, older dogs may require additional bloodwork if an endocrine or metabolic disorder is suspected. The decision to do pre-operative bloodwork rests on the shoulders of the pet owner, under the guidance of their veterinarian. Favorable pre-operative bloodwork is not a guarantee that all will go well with your pet's anesthetic procedure, but it allows your doctor to assess organ function and modify anesthetic protocols as needed to have the best chance for a good outcome. If you have any questions about pre-operative bloodwork, your veterinarian can help decide what's right for your individual pet. |
*Veterinarians serving Clayton, Garner, and surrounding areas since 1986* |