Prescription Medication and Therapeutic Blood Monitoring
Certain prescription drugs require monitoring to ensure maximum effectiveness and safety. A blood test gives your veterinarian information on the level of medication in your pet’s body and any effects on your pet’s internal organs and body systems.
Testing allows your veterinarian to make any necessary medication adjustments and ensures your pet is receiving the proper dose. Each pet will metabolize a drug differently.
- It is strongly recommended that a blood test be performed at determined intervals while your pet is receiving prescription medication.
- An annual comprehensive physical examination is required to provide continuing medical care and ensures ongoing medication refills as required.
- Further care may be necessary depending upon your pet’s medical condition and his/her response to the provided treatment.
Blood Collection
- Please do not feed your pet 8 hours prior to blood collection for planned tests (Including wellness profiles, complete blood count, chemistry profile, thyroid function panel & bile acids).
- Fasting is not necessary for diagnostic testing such as parvovirus, feline leukemia & fiv, heartworm/tick-bourne diseases and cortisol response cases.
Diabetic pets
- Blood glucose tests are conducted 4 to 6 hours after insulin is administered for optimal results. Feed according to normal routine.
- Fasting for bloodwork differs by case, your veterinarian will advise you accordingly.
How To Collect Samples
Urine Collection
Dogs:
- Approximately 1 tablespoon (minimum) is ideal.
- As fresh as possible is best.
- Samples collected and stored 4 hours or longer should be refrigerated prior to submission at earliest convenience.
- All samples over 20 hours old will not provide accurate results and are therefore considered unacceptable.
- Do not freeze sample.
- Sample must be free of debris or any other contaminant (including snow and other fluids).
Cats:
- Approximately 1 tablespoon (minimum) is ideal.
- NoSorb or Kit 4 Cat can be used in place of regular litter while obtaining the sample for submission.
- If at-home collection is not possible, we can hospitalize the cat for a short period if the bladder does not present an ideal capacity upon palpation.
- As fresh as possible is best.
- Samples collected and stored 4 hours or longer should be refrigerated prior to submission at earliest convenience.
- All samples over 20 hours old will not provide accurate results and are therefore considered unacceptable.
- Do not freeze sample.
- Sample must be free of debris or any other contaminant.
Fecal Collection
- Approximately 1 tablespoon (minimum) is ideal.
- AS FRESH AS POSSIBLE for accurate results! This is especially important if your pet is experiencing diarrhea or if mucous is apparent in the stool.
- All samples over 20 hours old will not provide accurate results and are therefore considered unacceptable.
- Do not freeze samples!
- Small amounts of debris (litter, grass) may be acceptable in most cases.
- Refrigerate only if both of the following conditions apply:
- Suspected exposure to parasites (Hookworm, Roundworm-Cats/Kittens Dogs/Puppies, Whipworm, Tapeworm, Giardia)
- ….AND the sample is over 4 hours old. This also applies to samples sent to an outside laboratory to test for Giardia/Cryptosporidium/Clostridium (“Triple Test”).