Why Routine Exams and Bloodwork Are Essential for Your Pet’s Health

At 4 Paws, we cannot stress enough the importance of routine exams and bloodwork for cats and dogs. Annual exam and bloodwork is recommended for most pets 7 years and under. For cats and dogs over 7 years old or with chronic health conditions, it is strongly recommended to have your pet seen and bloodwork checked every 6 months at a minimum.

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Biannual bloodwork is especially important for senior pets, as aging animals are more prone to developing chronic illnesses. But even young and seemingly healthy pets benefit from baseline bloodwork. Establishing a healthy “normal” when your pet is well makes it easier to spot changes later in life.

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Just like humans, pets can develop health issues that aren’t obvious on the surface. Conditions such as kidney disease, liver problems, diabetes, thyroid imbalances, or even early-stage cancer often don’t show symptoms until the disease has progressed significantly. Routine bloodwork can in most cases detect these issues early, giving your pet a much better chance at successful treatment. For instance, kidney disease, if caught early, can be managed by something as simple as a diet change for the life of the pet. If the kidney disease is caught after the pet has become visibly ill then additional, more expensive and intensive treatment such as IV fluids, hospitalization, and injectable treatments may be needed with a decreased chance of success.

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Regular exams and diagnostics are not just about catching disease—they’re also a great opportunity to discuss nutrition, behavior, parasite prevention, and other aspects of pet care with your vet.

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