As a veterinarian, I try to convey to pet parents how important regular checkups and diagnostic tests are for our pets' health.

In this guide, I'll explain why these tests are essential for every pet parent and discuss the different types of wellness tests available for cats and dogs.

Key Takeaways

  • Pet wellness tests are vital for spotting health issues early and getting timely care.

  • Veterinary diagnostic tests can identify conditions such as thyroid imbalances, heartworm infections, and kidney diseases, ensuring your pet's health is closely monitored.

  • Regular checkups with these tests ensure your pet stays healthy and happy over the long term.

What Are Pet Wellness Tests?

Pet wellness tests are diagnostic tests that are often recommended as part of a dog or cat’s regular wellness examination. The reason for pet wellness tests is for early detection and treatment of health conditions and diseases that may not yet be symptomatic.

Why is Diagnostic Testing Important for Pets?

Pet wellness tests are vital for early disease detection and timely treatment, helping veterinarians monitor and address health changes over time. These tests are essential for managing chronic conditions and providing preventative care, especially for senior pets. Regular testing not only keeps track of health issues but also offers peace of mind to pet owners.

Should My Pet Be Seen by a Veterinarian?

Let’s Start!
Should My Pet Be Seen by a Veterinarian?
1. Have you noticed changes in your pet’s appetite?
2. Does your pet have diarrhea or loose stools?
3. Have you noticed changes in your pet’s thirst/water consumption?
4. Is your pet having accidents in the house?
5. Is your pet pacing and unable to settle?
6. Is your pet panting more than usual?
7. Is your pet whining or vocalizing more than usual?
8. Is your pet shaking more than usual?
9. Is your pet hiding or avoiding physical contact more than usual?
10. Is your pet more lethargic and sleeping more than usual?
11. Are you concerned about changes in your pet’s behavior?
12. Is your pet scratching their ears?
13. Is your pet licking their paws more than usual?
14. Does your pet have a rash?
15. Is your pet moving more slowly than usual or having a harder time getting up or down?

Should My Pet Be Seen by a Veterinarian?

1. Have you noticed changes in your pet’s appetite?
2. Does your pet have diarrhea or loose stools?
3. Have you noticed changes in your pet’s thirst/water consumption?
4. Is your pet having accidents in the house?
5. Is your pet pacing and unable to settle?
6. Is your pet panting more than usual?
7. Is your pet whining or vocalizing more than usual?
8. Is your pet shaking more than usual?
9. Is your pet hiding or avoiding physical contact more than usual?
10. Is your pet more lethargic and sleeping more than usual?
11. Are you concerned about changes in your pet’s behavior?
12. Is your pet scratching their ears?
13. Is your pet licking their paws more than usual?
14. Does your pet have a rash?
15. Is your pet moving more slowly than usual or having a harder time getting up or down?
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Types of Pet Diagnostic Tests

In a comprehensive wellness exam, your veterinarian may recommend several diagnostic tests to monitor your pet's health. These typically include blood tests, fecal exams, blood pressure checks, and urinalysis.

Here’s the most common pet diagnostic tests that veterinarians perform during a wellness exam:

Blood Tests

  • Complete blood count (CBC) examines a pet’s red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes), and platelets (thrombocytes). A CBC helps evaluate for conditions such as anemia, evidence of infection or inflammation in the body, clotting disorders, evidence of leukemias or other cancers, immune system disorders, blood-borne parasites, and dehydration.

  • Chemistry panel evaluates the liver, kidneys, pancreas, blood glucose, blood proteins, cholesterol, and electrolytes. It can detect diseases such as kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, other endocrine diseases such as Cushing's or Addison's, liver failure, and so on.

  • Thyroid testing is often recommended for senior pets. Dogs can be prone to hypothyroidism, characterized by low thyroid. Cats can be prone to hyperthyroidism, marked by high thyroid function.

  • Lyme disease (dogs only) is a tick-borne disease caused by the bacterium Borrelia Burgdorferi, which is transmitted through the bite of infected black-legged ticks (deer ticks).

  • Heartworm test, performed mainly for dogs, screens for heartworm disease (Dirofilaria Immitis). It's a serious and potentially fatal condition, transmitted through the bite of mosquitoes as a larva & matures in the heart. Testing is done annually to ensure they are negative and safe usage of heartworm preventatives.  

Urinalysis

Urinalysis is a type of diagnostic testing that evaluates the urinary tract for infections and inflammation. It is useful in screening for certain conditions, such as diabetes and kidney health, as well as for crystals in the urine and measures pH and specific gravity (urine concentration).

Fecal Testing

Fecal testing involves the microscopic testing of your pet's feces. Fecal testing can identify internal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, giardia, coccidia.

Blood Pressure Test

Blood pressure testing is a way to monitor your pet’s cardiovascular health, checking for hypertension or hypotension. 

Conclusion

Pet wellness tests are not just routine procedures; they are crucial components of preventative veterinary care.

Take the first step towards ensuring your pet's long-term health and schedule an in-home wellness checkup today. Your BetterVet veterinarian can examine your pet in the comfort of home and perform any recommended diagnostic wellness tests.

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Frequently Asked Questions 

How often should you check a fecal test?

Fecal tests are usually recommended annually to ensure your pet is free of internal parasites which can be picked up easily from the environment.

How often should I perform wellness tests for my senior pets?

Depending on the age and health of your pet, tests such as a CBC, chemistry, thyroid, urinalysis, and blood pressure may be recommended as frequently as every 6 months, up to once per year. 

Why test a dog for heartworm when using a heartworm preventative?

If a dog is positive for heartworm when starting or using a preventative, it could cause an anaphylactic reaction which can have severe consequences for your pet. Annual heartworm tests ensure your pet is negative and determine the safety of using heartworm preventatives.

What happens if my pet has a positive fecal or blood parasite test? 

Depending on the parasite, your veterinarian will prescribe specific medications or perform specific treatment protocols to rid of the parasite. They will also discuss the importance of rechecking the test to ensure the parasite has been effectively treated. 

What can I do if my pet doesn’t do well with blood draws?

In-home veterinary visits are less stressful for pets, especially for those who have difficulty with blood draws. Our Fear Free certified veterinarians will develop a plan to help your pet have as relaxing an experience as possible.

Sources:

  • Peterson, M. E. (2006). Diagnostic Tests for Hyperthyroidism in Cats. Clinical Techniques in Small Animal Practice, 21(1), 2-9. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.ctsap.2005.12.001

  • Yadav, S. N., Ahmed, N., Nath, A. J., Mahanta, D., & Kalita, M. K. (2020, October). Urinalysis in dog and cat: A Review. Veterinary world. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7704312/