Wellness Bloodwork: The Power of Catching Problems Early
Your pet can’t tell you when something feels “off” — and often, by the time symptoms appear, disease has already progressed. That’s where wellness bloodwork becomes one of the most powerful tools we have in veterinary medicine.
We consider wellness bloodwork a cornerstone of preventive care. It allows us to look inside your pet’s body and catch issues early, often before they ever feel sick.
🧠 Why Wellness Bloodwork Matters
Pets age faster than we do, and many serious conditions begin silently. Wellness bloodwork helps us:
✔️ Establish a healthy baseline
✔️ Detect disease before symptoms appear
✔️ Monitor trends over time
✔️ Make safer anesthesia and medication decisions
✔️ Tailor care specifically to your pet
In many cases, early detection means simpler treatment, better outcomes, and longer, healthier lives.
🔍 What We’ve Caught With Wellness Bloodwork in 2025
Thanks to routine wellness testing this year, we’ve been able to identify and address problems early, including:
- 🦋 Thyroid disease before weight gain or lethargy became severe
- 🫘 Early kidney disease, allowing diet changes and monitoring before advanced damage
- 🧪 Early liver disease, often before any outward signs
- 🚽 Bladder crystals, preventing painful urinary blockages and emergencies
In many of these cases, pets felt normal at home — but their bloodwork told a different story.
🧬 What’s Included in Our Recommended Wellness Panel
Our comprehensive wellness panel is designed to give us a full picture of your pet’s health, not just a snapshot.
🩸 Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Checks red and white blood cells and platelets — important for detecting anemia, infection, and inflammation.
🧪 Full Chemistry Panel
Evaluates liver, kidney, pancreas, electrolytes, blood sugar, and proteins.
🦋 Thyroid Testing
Especially important for middle-aged and senior pets, or those with weight or energy changes.
🫘 SDMA
A sensitive kidney marker that can detect kidney disease earlier than traditional values.
🚽 Urinalysis
Provides critical information about kidney function, hydration status, infection, and crystals.
💩 KeyScreen Fecal Test
Screens for intestinal parasites that may not be visible to the naked eye — some of which can affect humans, too.
Together, these tests allow us to catch problems months — sometimes years — earlier than waiting for symptoms alone.
💜 Pair Wellness Bloodwork With Annual Vaccines
We strongly recommend running wellness bloodwork at the same visit as annual vaccines. Why?
✔️ One appointment
✔️ Less stress for your pet
✔️ A complete picture of internal and external health
🐶 Canine Health Months: March & October
During March and October, we celebrate Canine Health Month!
✨ Special Offer:
Save 15% on annual vaccines when wellness bloodwork is elected.
This encourages proactive care and helps ensure your dog is healthy inside and out.
🐾 Who Should Have Wellness Bloodwork?
✔️ All adult pets (annually)
✔️ Senior pets (often twice yearly)
✔️ Pets on long-term medications
✔️ Pets with subtle changes in behavior, appetite, or energy
Even young, healthy-appearing pets benefit from establishing a baseline early.
✨ An Investment in Your Pet’s Future
Wellness bloodwork isn’t just about finding disease — it’s about peace of mind. Knowing your pet’s organs are healthy today helps protect their tomorrow.
At Three Rivers Animal Hospital, we’re proud to partner with you in preventive care that truly makes a difference.
📅 Schedule your pet’s wellness exam
🩸 Add comprehensive wellness bloodwork
🐶 Take advantage of Canine Health Month savings
Because the best medicine is catching problems early. 💜🐾
