Why does my cat/dog need a pre-anaesthetic blood test?

17 Oct 2018

It is our job to ensure that your pet can properly process and then eliminate the anaesthetic he or she is given.  Before we perform any proceedure that requires anaesthesia, we run tests to confirm that your pet's organs are functioning properly and to reveal any hidden health conditions that could put your pet at risk.

You deserve peace of mind.  Testing can significantly reduce medical risk and ensure your pet's health and safety.

Pets cant tell us when they don't feel well.   A healthy-appearing pet may be hiding symptoms of a disease or ailment.  For example, a pet can lose up to 75% of kidney function before showing any visible asigns of illness.  Testing helps us evaluate your pet's health up front, so we can avoid problems related to anaesthesia.

Testing can reduce risk and consequences.  If preanaesthetic results are within normal ranges, we can proceed with confidence, knowing that anaesthetic risk is minimised.  On the other hand, if results are not within the normal ranges, we can alter the anaesthetic proceedure, or take other precautions to safeguard your pet's health and reduce the risk of potential complications.

Testing can help protect your pet's future health.  These tests provide baseline levels for your pet and become part of his or her medical record for future reference.