Many basic tests are commonly done by veterinarians, vet technicians, or lab personnel. Tests may be performed at the clinic or sent to an outside lab.
The Veterinarian’s Exam
The veterinarian will check vital signs, weigh the animal, and perform a physical exam. This includes looking at the eyes, ears, mouth, and teeth and watching how the pet moves. The vet will use a stethoscope to listen to the heart and lungs. They might press on the gums to check how fast they regain color, which gives information about blood circulation (a slow time can indicate poor circulation or shock). Gum color can also show problems like jaundice (a liver problem), anemia, or shock. The vet will feel the pet's abdomen to check the size and position of organs such as the liver, spleen, kidneys, and bladder, and will check lymph nodes to see if they're swollen.
Specialized Tests
If a specific issue is present, the vet might do additional tests. For example, if eye problems are suspected, the vet may test vision, use a special scope to look inside the eye, measure eye pressure, and use stains.
The In-House Laboratory
Many clinics perform basic lab tests on-site. Owners can sometimes collect samples like stool or urine and bring them in. The range of tests differs between clinics—some tests are done in-house while others go to outside labs.
Chemistry Panel
A chemistry panel tests multiple blood chemicals and gives broad information about health. Test results can provide clues about hydration, inflammation, kidney and liver function, and blood sugar control. Chemistry panel results should be reviewed by a veterinarian familiar with the animal, but some generalizations can be made about abnormal results:
Total protein: can be above normal with dehydration or inflammation; can be below normal with bleeding, poor nutrition, or heart failure
Albumin: can be above normal with dehydration; can be below normal with bleeding, heart failure, or liver failure
Globulin: can be above normal with dehydration or chronic infection
Urea: can be above normal with low blood volume, kidney failure, or digestive tract bleeding; can be below normal with severe liver disease
Creatinine: can be above normal with kidney disease, blocked urinary tract, or ruptured bladder
Glucose: can be above normal with diabetes or stress; can be below normal with endocrine problems or starvation
ALT and ALP: can be above normal with liver damage, muscle damage, or increased thyroid activity
Based on these results, the vet might order more specific tests.
Other common chemistry tests include electrolytes (sodium, potassium), blood gases, thyroid hormones, markers of heart disease, and tests for pancreatitis.
Complete Blood Count
The CBC looks at red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
Red blood cell measurements in a CBC:
Packed cell volume (PCV): the percentage of blood made up of red blood cells. High PCV can occur with dehydration, and low PCV suggests anemia or bleeding.
Hemoglobin: the amount of oxygen the blood can carry
Red blood cell count: the number of red cells in a small volume of blood.
Changes in white blood cell numbers and types give clues about infection, inflammation, and other diseases. There are several types of white blood cells that increase with inflammation, infection, short-term stress, allergies, and even certain kinds of cancers.
Platelets are small cell-like particles that help blood clot. They are essential for repairing blood vessel damage. Platelet counts rise with injury and can drop with autoimmune disease, clotting disorders, or bone marrow problems.
Fecal Analysis
Stool samples are routinely examined for parasites or eggs. Tests include newer methods (like PCR) and examination under a microscope. Occasionally, the bacteria in stool are studied.
Urine Analysis
Analysis of urine samples (commonly called urinalysis) helps detect urinary tract disease. The vet may collect urine directly from a pet's bladder using a needle and syringe, or sometimes urine samples are caught midstream. Urine should be tested right away or refrigerated until testing. It should not be frozen.
Normal urine is yellow/amber and clear.
Most pet urine has a slight ammonia smell, but strong ammonia might signal a bacterial infection.
Chemical tests include specific gravity (concentration), pH, protein, glucose, and the presence of blood.
Microscopic sediment can mean different things. Many red blood cells suggest bleeding in the urinary tract. Many white cells suggest infection. Increased numbers of other structures can indicate kidney disease. Crystals can appear sometimes without causing disease. Large numbers of bacteria usually mean infection.
Urine samples can be used to test for microorganisms and determine whether they are treatable with antibiotics.
The Outside Laboratory
Many tests need specialized equipment or trained staff, so vets often send samples to outside labs. These labs can offer faster or more accurate results and have pathologists who can identify abnormal blood cells and confirm a diagnosis. Outside labs can perform advanced tests, like detecting parasite stages not found on standard tests or identifying blood parasites from direct blood smears.
