Essential Pet Care: Understanding Your Vet’s Recommendations
Wellness is better than Illness!
Just like people, pets can develop health issues that aren’t always visible on the outside. Annual bloodwork is an important part of your pet’s routine care, helping us catch potential health concerns early—often before symptoms appear.
Why is Annual Bloodwork Important?
🔹 Early Detection – Many illnesses, like kidney disease, diabetes, and thyroid issues, develop gradually. Bloodwork helps us spot problems early, making treatment more effective.
🔹 Baseline Health Records – Regular testing gives us a record of what’s normal for your pet, so we can quickly notice any changes over time.
🔹 Surgical Safety – Before procedures requiring anesthesia, blood tests help ensure your pet is healthy enough for surgery.
🔹 Medication Monitoring – If your pet is on long-term medications, bloodwork helps us track how they’re affecting organ function.
What Do Blood Tests Check For?
✔️ Complete Blood Count (CBC) – Checks for infections, anemia, and immune system health.
✔️ Blood Chemistry Panel – Evaluates kidney and liver function, blood sugar levels, and more.
✔️ Electrolyte Levels – Ensures hydration and organ function are balanced.
✔️ Thyroid Testing – Monitors metabolism, especially in older pets.
How Often Should Bloodwork Be Done?
For most pets, annual blood tests are recommended during their wellness exam. However, senior pets or those with health conditions may need more frequent testing to monitor their well-being.
Preventative care is the best way to keep your pet healthy and happy!
Why is Annual Bloodwork Important?
🔹 Early Detection – Many illnesses, like kidney disease, diabetes, and thyroid issues, develop gradually. Bloodwork helps us spot problems early, making treatment more effective.
🔹 Baseline Health Records – Regular testing gives us a record of what’s normal for your pet, so we can quickly notice any changes over time.
🔹 Surgical Safety – Before procedures requiring anesthesia, blood tests help ensure your pet is healthy enough for surgery.
🔹 Medication Monitoring – If your pet is on long-term medications, bloodwork helps us track how they’re affecting organ function.
What Do Blood Tests Check For?
✔️ Complete Blood Count (CBC) – Checks for infections, anemia, and immune system health.
✔️ Blood Chemistry Panel – Evaluates kidney and liver function, blood sugar levels, and more.
✔️ Electrolyte Levels – Ensures hydration and organ function are balanced.
✔️ Thyroid Testing – Monitors metabolism, especially in older pets.
How Often Should Bloodwork Be Done?
For most pets, annual blood tests are recommended during their wellness exam. However, senior pets or those with health conditions may need more frequent testing to monitor their well-being.
Preventative care is the best way to keep your pet healthy and happy!
Importance of Heartworm Testing
Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal condition caused by parasitic worms that live in the heart, lungs, and blood vessels of infected animals. It is spread through mosquito bites, putting both dogs and cats at risk year-round, even if they stay indoors.
Why Does My Pet Need a Heartworm Test?
🔹 Early Detection is Key – Heartworm disease progresses silently, often showing no symptoms in the early stages. Testing helps detect infections before they become severe.
🔹 Required for Prevention – Many heartworm preventatives require a negative test result before starting or continuing medication. Giving preventatives to an infected pet can cause serious complications.
🔹 Mosquitoes Are EVERYWHERE! – Heartworms are transmitted through mosquito bites, meaning any pet can be exposed, regardless of where they live or how much time they spend outside.
Why Is Missing a Dose a Big Deal?
🔹 Gaps in Protection – Heartworm preventatives work by killing immature larvae (microfilariae) before they develop into adult worms. If you miss a dose, these larvae can mature into adult heartworms, which are much harder to eliminate.
🔹 ***Anaphylactic Shock Risk*** – If a pet has an undetected heartworm infection and is later given a preventative, the sudden death of microfilariae in the bloodstream can trigger a severe allergic reaction, known as anaphylactic shock. This can be life-threatening and require emergency medical care.
🔹 Delays in Prevention Restart – If prevention is missed for more than a month, your pet should be tested before restarting to ensure they are heartworm-free. Giving preventatives to an infected pet can lead to serious complications.
🔹 Long, Risky, and Expensive Treatment – If your pet contracts heartworms, treatment involves months of strict rest, painful injections, and significant cost. Prevention is much safer and more affordable than treatment.
If you ever miss a dose, contact your veterinarian immediately for guidance on when to resume prevention and whether testing is needed.
How is Heartworm Testing Done?
Heartworm testing is a simple and essential step in keeping your pet healthy. A small blood sample is taken to detect heartworm proteins (antigens) in dogs or antibodies in cats. This test helps identify infections before they cause serious health complications.
Veterinarians recommend annual testing, even if your pet is on year-round prevention. While preventatives are highly effective, no medication is 100% foolproof, and testing ensures your pet remains heartworm-free. Regular screening allows for early detection, which is crucial in preventing severe damage to the heart and lungs.
If your pet tests positive, additional testing may be required to determine the severity of the infection. X-rays, ultrasound, or further blood tests may be necessary to assess the extent of the disease and plan appropriate treatment. Early detection gives your pet the best chance of successful treatment and recovery.
How Often Should My Pet Be Tested?
✅ Dogs – Annually, even if they are on year-round prevention.
✅ Cats – While cats are less common hosts for heartworms, they can still develop the disease. Testing may be recommended based on risk factors.
Protecting your pet from heartworm disease is easy! Regular testing and year-round prevention are the best ways to keep them safe.
www.heartwormsociety.org/heartworms-in-dogs
Heartworm Preventative
At Crescent Hill Animal Hospital, we offer select preventatives to help keep your pet safe from heartworms, fleas, ticks, and intestinal parasites. In our clinic, we carry:
✔️ Simparica Trio
✔️ Milbeguard
✔️ Parasedge
✔️ And more!
For even more options, including a wider selection of preventatives, prescription food, and medications, visit our online pharmacy, Blue Rabbit! You’ll also find exclusive discounts and deals available through the pharmacy.
CLICK HERE ↓↓↓↓↓
Intestinal Parasite Screenings: Protecting Your Pet from Hidden Dangers
Intestinal parasites are common but often go undetected, as pets can carry them without showing obvious symptoms. These parasites, including roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, coccidia, and Giardia, can cause digestive issues and even serious health complications. Some parasites are also zoonotic, meaning they can spread to humans.
Why Does My Pet Need a Fecal Test?
Early detection is key. Many intestinal parasites don’t cause immediate symptoms, which means your pet could be infected without showing any signs. Over time, these parasites can lead to serious health issues, including malnutrition and gastrointestinal distress. Routine fecal testing helps catch infections early, allowing for prompt treatment before complications arise.
Fecal testing helps prevent health issues. Intestinal parasites can cause symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and a dull or poor coat condition. Left untreated, some parasites can lead to more severe complications, including anemia or intestinal damage. Regular testing ensures your pet stays healthy and comfortable.
Testing also helps protect your family. Some parasites, like roundworms and hookworms, can be transmitted to humans, posing a particular risk to children and immunocompromised individuals. Regular fecal exams help detect and eliminate parasites before they can spread, reducing the risk of transmission and keeping your household safe.
Fecal testing is recommended for all pets, even those that stay indoors. Parasites can be contracted in many ways, including exposure to contaminated soil, water, or even flea infestations. Since some parasites can survive in the environment for long periods, regular screenings help ensure that all pets—regardless of lifestyle—are protected from potential infections.
How is Fecal Testing Done?
✔️ Simple Sample Analysis – A small stool sample is examined under a microscope to check for parasite eggs or larvae.
✔️ Performed In-House or Sent to a Lab – Some tests provide quick results, while others may require specialized analysis for more accurate detection.
✔️ Recommended at Least Once a Year – Adult pets should have an annual fecal exam, while puppies, kittens, and high-risk pets may need more frequent testing.
How Often Should My Pet Be Tested?
✅ Dogs & Cats – At least once a year during their wellness visit. At Crescent Hill Animal Hospital, we recommend fecal testing every 6 months to ensure early detection and prevention.
✅ Puppies & Kittens – More frequently, as they are at a higher risk of intestinal parasites.
✅ Pets with Symptoms – Any pet experiencing diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, or lethargy should be tested as soon as possible.
Why Does My Pet Need a Fecal Test?
Early detection is key. Many intestinal parasites don’t cause immediate symptoms, which means your pet could be infected without showing any signs. Over time, these parasites can lead to serious health issues, including malnutrition and gastrointestinal distress. Routine fecal testing helps catch infections early, allowing for prompt treatment before complications arise.
Fecal testing helps prevent health issues. Intestinal parasites can cause symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and a dull or poor coat condition. Left untreated, some parasites can lead to more severe complications, including anemia or intestinal damage. Regular testing ensures your pet stays healthy and comfortable.
Testing also helps protect your family. Some parasites, like roundworms and hookworms, can be transmitted to humans, posing a particular risk to children and immunocompromised individuals. Regular fecal exams help detect and eliminate parasites before they can spread, reducing the risk of transmission and keeping your household safe.
Fecal testing is recommended for all pets, even those that stay indoors. Parasites can be contracted in many ways, including exposure to contaminated soil, water, or even flea infestations. Since some parasites can survive in the environment for long periods, regular screenings help ensure that all pets—regardless of lifestyle—are protected from potential infections.
How is Fecal Testing Done?
✔️ Simple Sample Analysis – A small stool sample is examined under a microscope to check for parasite eggs or larvae.
✔️ Performed In-House or Sent to a Lab – Some tests provide quick results, while others may require specialized analysis for more accurate detection.
✔️ Recommended at Least Once a Year – Adult pets should have an annual fecal exam, while puppies, kittens, and high-risk pets may need more frequent testing.
How Often Should My Pet Be Tested?
✅ Dogs & Cats – At least once a year during their wellness visit. At Crescent Hill Animal Hospital, we recommend fecal testing every 6 months to ensure early detection and prevention.
✅ Puppies & Kittens – More frequently, as they are at a higher risk of intestinal parasites.
✅ Pets with Symptoms – Any pet experiencing diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, or lethargy should be tested as soon as possible.