Pre-Anaesthetic Blood Testing

Anaesthesia is generally very safe, but every anaesthetic carries some degree of risk. A physical examination provides our veterinarians with important information about your pet’s health; however, some underlying changes may not be apparent on examination alone.

Pre-anaesthetic blood testing can provide additional information about your pet’s health before they undergo sedation or general anaesthesia.

Why is pre-anaesthetic blood testing recommended?

Blood testing can help assess important aspects of your pet’s health, including red blood cells, protein levels and liver and kidney function.

This information can help our veterinary team identify abnormalities that may not be obvious during a physical examination and make informed decisions about your pet’s anaesthetic and procedure.

Pre-anaesthetic blood testing may be particularly valuable for older pets or patients with existing health concerns, although underlying changes can occur at any age.

What happens if an abnormality is found?

If an abnormal result is identified, your veterinarian will assess its significance and discuss the findings with you.

Depending on the results and your pet’s individual circumstances, we may recommend further investigation, adjust their anaesthetic or treatment plan, or postpone the procedure until additional testing has been completed.

When is the blood test performed?

Pre-anaesthetic blood testing can often be performed on the day of your pet’s procedure. In some cases, your veterinarian may recommend testing in advance, particularly if your pet is older or has an existing or suspected health condition.

Benefits of pre-anaesthetic blood testing

Pre-anaesthetic blood testing can:

1. Provide additional information about your pet’s health before anaesthesia.
2. Help identify changes that may not be apparent during a physical examination.
3. Assist your veterinarian in planning an anaesthetic protocol appropriate for your pet.
4. Provide baseline results that may be useful for comparison with future blood tests.

Your veterinarian can discuss whether pre-anaesthetic blood testing is recommended for your pet based on their age, health, medical history and planned procedure.

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