Carter County Animal Hospital offers many in-house lab services. Our equipment allows us to get bloodwork results within 20 minutes which allows the veterinarian to create a quick and appropriate treatment plan for your sick pet.
In-House tests:
Heartworm/Ehrlichia/Lyme/Anaplasmosis tests
FIV/FELV test
Parvo tests
Giardia test
Lipase test
Intestinal Parasite Checks
Early Renal Disease tests
Pregnancy test for Dogs (done at or after 30 days)
In-House bloodwork:
Preanesthetic bloodwork is performed in house on every patient prior to surgery, with consent. This is to maximize patient safety and alert the doctor to the presence of dehydration, anemia, infection, diabetes, and/or kidney or liver disease. These conditions could greatly complicate your pet’s procedure and health if not identified before undergoing anesthesia. These tests are similar to those your own physician would run if you were to undergo anesthesia.
General health profiles are run on sick and patients and are tailored to specific signs and symptoms. Below a sample of some of the enzymes that may be talked about during a hospital visit. These tests are similar to those your own physician would run if you were to undergo anesthesia just like our pre-anesthesia panels.
Common Enzymes Seen on Panels:
* General Information Only *
Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) An enzyme that becomes elevated with liver disease or injury.
Alkaline Phosphatase (ALKP) An enzyme produced by the cells lining the gall bladder and its associated ducts. Elevated levels can indicate liver disease or Cushing’s syndrome.
Albumin (ALB) A protein which is produced by the liver. Reduced levels of this protein can point to chronic liver or kidney disease, intestinal disease, or intestinal parasites such as hookworm infection.
Amylase (AMYL) An enzyme produced by the pancreas. The pancreas secretes, amylase to aid in digestion. Elevated blood levels can indicate pancreatic and/or kidney disease.
Blood Glucose (GLU) High levels can indicate diabetes. In cats, high levels can 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.
Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) BUN is produced by the liver and excreted by the kidneys. Abnormal levels can indicate dehydration, and liver and kidney abnormalities
Creatinine (CREA) Creatinine is a by-product of muscle metabolism and is excreted by the kidneys. Elevated levels can indicate kidney disease or urinary tract obstruction.
Calcium (Ca2+) Increased levels can be seen with diseases of the parathyroid gland and kidneys or as an indicator of certain types of rumors.
Cholesterol (CHOL) Elevated levels of cholesterol are seen in a variety of disorders including genetic disease, liver and kidney disease and hypothyroidism. Phosphorus (PHOS) Elevated phosphorus can be an indicator of kidney disease.
Total Bilirubin (TBIL) Bilirubin is a breakdown product of hemoglobin and is a component of bile. Bilirubin is secreted by the liver into the intestinal tract. Blood bilirubin levels are useful in diagnosing anemia and problems in the bile ducts.
Total Protein (TP) The level of TP can detect a variety of conditions including dehydration and diseases of the liver, kidney or gastrointestinal tract.
Electrolytes
Sodium, Potassium, Chloride (Na+, K+, CI-)
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.
Hematology
Hematocrit (HCT): Provides information on the amount of red blood cells (RBCs) present in the blood. This test is used to diagnose anemia.
Complete Blood Count (CBC): A more complete panel of tests, a CBC provides detailed information on RBCs, WBCs (white blood cells), and platelets. These tests can indicate anemia, infection, leukemia, stress, the presence of inflammation, or an inability to fight infection. Platelets are involved in blood clotting and if low can indicate a bleeding problem.
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.
Other Common Tests
Urinalysis: The urine contains by-products from marry organs such as the kidneys, liver and pancreas. Abnormal levels of these by- products can indicate disease including diabetes, liver and kidney disease.
Outside Testing
Carter County Animal Hospital utilizes outside labs for more complicated lab work or pathology. The lab in which your pet’s samples are sent are determined by the tests needed to be ran. Anything from histopathology for removed massed to thyroid testing can be submitted and reviewed within days.
If you have any questions about our services, please contact us today at (580) 226-1001.