Vet Care 2025: What Blood Work Reveals About Your Pet’s Health 🩸🐾

When your vet says, “We need to run some blood work,” it might sound routine—but in reality, it’s one of the most important tools in veterinary medicine. Whether before surgery or during a wellness check, blood testing reveals what your pet can’t say out loud 🐕🧠.

As Dr Duncan Houston, I want to explain how a simple blood sample can help assess your pet’s organs, hydration, infection status, and more. In 2025, blood work is more advanced and accessible than ever 🧪❤️.

🩺 What Is “Blood Work” in Pets?

Veterinary blood work typically includes:

• 🧫 Complete Blood Count (CBC) – Measures the blood cells
• 🧪 Blood Chemistry Panel – Measures organ function and electrolytes

This information helps your vet assess your pet’s health, catch silent diseases early, and guide treatments more accurately 🧬.

🔬 Complete Blood Count (CBC)

In a CBC, we look at the cells in your pet’s blood:

• 🔴 Red Blood Cells (RBCs) – Carry oxygen throughout the body
• ⚪ White Blood Cells (WBCs) – Fight infection and inflammation
• 🟣 Platelets – Help blood clot properly

Key Insights from a CBC:

• 📉 Anemia (low red cells) can indicate bleeding or chronic disease
• 📈 Leukocytosis (high WBCs) may suggest infection or inflammation
• ⚠️ Thrombocytopenia (low platelets) can signal bleeding risk or autoimmune disease

For pets undergoing surgery or treatment, a CBC is a vital safety check ✔️🧬.

🧪 Blood Chemistry Panel

This test evaluates the fluid portion of the blood and gives clues about internal organ function, hydration, and metabolism 💧🧠.

What We Test & What It Tells Us:

• 🧠 ALT & ALP – Liver enzymes. Elevated levels may mean liver injury or stress
• 💛 Bilirubin – Reflects liver function or red blood cell breakdown
• 🧴 BUN & Creatinine – Kidney function markers
• 🧂 Sodium & Potassium – Electrolytes that affect heart and nerve function
• 🍭 Glucose – Blood sugar level (diabetes, stress, or liver issues)
• 🧬 CK (Creatine Kinase) – Muscle damage marker
• 💧 Total Protein & Albumin – Nutritional and hydration status

📊 Examples of What Abnormal Values Mean

🧪 Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP):

• 📈 Elevated: liver disease, bone growth, pregnancy, or medication side effect

🧪 Alanine Transaminase (ALT):

• 📈 High: liver cell damage
• 📉 Low: potentially congestive liver disease

🧪 Bilirubin:

• 📈 High: liver problems, anemia, or drug reaction

🧪 BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen):

• 📈 High: kidney disease, dehydration, high protein diet
• 📉 Low: poor nutrition, liver failure

🧪 Creatinine:

• 📈 High: kidney failure or muscle injury

🧪 Glucose:

• 📈 High: diabetes, stress, obesity
• 📉 Low: insulin overproduction, liver dysfunction

🧪 Albumin:

• 📉 Low: liver disease, inflammation, kidney leak
• 📈 High: dehydration

📅 How Often Should Blood Work Be Done?

💉 Healthy Adults: Every 12–18 months

👵 Senior Pets: Every 6–12 months

⚠️ Pets with Chronic Disease: More frequently as recommended

Routine blood work can catch changes before symptoms appear, helping to manage conditions like kidney disease, thyroid imbalance, or early diabetes 🕵️‍♂️.

🧼 What Happens During a Blood Test?

Your vet will draw a small blood sample, often from a leg vein. The sample is then analyzed in-house or sent to a lab. Most results are available within hours to a couple of days ⏳🧪.

📲 Ask A Vet: What Do Your Pet’s Results Mean?

Confused by lab numbers? We can help. At AskAVet.com or through the Ask A Vet app, we explain results, advise next steps, and help track long-term health trends—whether you’re managing a senior pet or just checking in on wellness 🐕📱.

✅ Final Thoughts: A Tiny Sample, A Big Window into Health

In 2025, blood work is a smart and accessible way to protect your pet’s well-being. Whether used for diagnostics, monitoring, or prevention, it’s one of the most powerful tools in modern veterinary care 💉🧠.

Keep your vet visits proactive. Catch illness early. And use blood tests not just when your pet is sick—but to help keep them healthy 🐾❤️.