Good Friends Animal Hospital
908 E. Main St. Urbana, IL
217-344-1017
BLOOD WORK
In accordance with guidelines from the American Animal Hospital Association, Good Friends Animal Hospital
recommends annual blood work for all dogs and cats 7 years of age and older as well as pets exhibiting clinical
signs of illness regardless of age. The health and safety of your pet is our foremost concern. Because our pets
cannot describe symptoms to let us know what might be wrong, we suggest blood tests to give us the answers we
need.
1) The CBC (complete blood count) provides an inside look at the blood itself. Blood is composed of different
types of cells. It is important to know the status of each during sickness, health or prior to surgery. Red blood
cells are responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. White blood cells are the body's primary means of
fighting infection. Platelets play an important role in blood clotting and are critical in helping the body to stop
bleeding.
2) Blood chemistry tests provide an inside look at your pet’s vital organs. By testing blood chemistries, we can
evaluate the status of major organs such as the liver and kidneys.
3) Complete urinalysis evaluation: It is necessary to evaluate the urine in conjunction with the chemistry
profile and blood count to accurately diagnose many of the common diseases such as diabetes and kidney failure.
Abnormalities can occur in the urine prior to or in conjunction with changes in the blood chemistry, often leading
to an even earlier diagnosis of disease than with the blood chemistry alone.
4) Thyroid hormone levels. Changes in thyroid hormone levels can occur for a number of reasons. In both
dogs and cats, levels can be decreased related to other illnesses in the body and in dogs, low levels may occur due
to dysfunction of the thyroid itself. In aging cats, the thyroid level is often elevated. Changes in thyroid
function can lead to other illness and disease and in general, is easily treated if caught early.
If your pet received these tests and/or other testing today, I will contact you as soon as results become available to
discuss the findings.
. If
your pet did not receive these tests, it is likely that they have been recommended to you, and this handout has
been provided to further explain the contents of the recommended health panel. Should you have additional
questions regarding these recommendations or would like to schedule an appointment at a later date, please
contact Good Friends Animal Hospital at 217-344-1017.
Kandice Norrell, DVM
Kandi Norrell, DVM, Primary Care Veterinarian