You love your pet like family. You give them the best food, toys, treats, and all the snuggles they could want. But when was the last time they had a check-up? Even if your dog or cat seems perfectly healthy, an annual physical exam — with blood work — is one of the most important things you can do to keep them feeling their best. Let’s break down why this routine vet visit is anything but “routine.”
Pets Are Great at Hiding Illness
Even when something’s wrong, pets often don’t show it. They might be dealing with an issue that isn’t obvious — even to their owners. By the time symptoms like vomiting, weight loss, or low energy show up, the problem may already be advanced.
That’s where your vet comes in.
What Happens During an Exam?
During an exam, your vet looks your pet over from nose to tail. It’s a thorough check that includes:
- Eyes and ears – Checking for infection or early signs of age-related changes
- Mouth and teeth – Dental disease is common and can affect the heart, liver, and kidneys
- Heart and lungs – Listening for murmurs, arrhythmias, or abnormal breathing
- Skin and coat – Looking for signs of allergies, parasites, or hormonal issues
- Abdomen – Feeling for swelling, pain, or abnormal masses
- Joints and movement – Checking for arthritis or stiffness
These findings give us a lot of information. But they only show part of the picture.
This is why blood work is so important! Even with a normal physical exam, your pet’s blood work can reveal what’s happening on the inside. Think of it as an internal health screen.
Here’s what we typically check:
CBC (Complete Blood Count)
Looks at red and white blood cells, as well as platelets. Helps us catch:
- Infections
- Anemia
- Inflammation
- Some cancers
Chemistry Panel
Assesses organ function and checks:
- Kidney and liver health
- Blood sugar
- Electrolyte balance
- Protein levels
Thyroid Testing (especially in older pets)
Dogs often develop low thyroid (hypothyroidism), while cats commonly develop high thyroid (hyperthyroidism). Both are manageable — if caught early.
Early Detection = Better Outcomes
Here’s the bottom line: catching disease early gives your pet a better shot at treatment, comfort, and longevity.
- A dog with early kidney disease may benefit from a diet change that slows damage.
- A cat with rising liver enzymes might avoid a full-blown crisis.
- A healthy pet’s “normal” blood values become a baseline we can use to compare future changes.
And if the results are all normal? That’s fantastic news. It still gives us valuable peace of mind.
Once a Year, Every Year- At least!
Just like people, pets should have an annual exam. For seniors or pets with medical conditions, even more frequent visits may be recommended. Your pet can’t tell you how they’re feeling — but their body can, if we know how to listen.
Keep Them Healthy, Keep Them Happy
Annual exams and blood work aren’t just about finding problems. They’re about protecting your pet’s health before anything goes wrong. So if it’s been a while since your furry friend saw the vet, give your clinic a call. A simple visit once a year can add years of health and happiness to your pet’s life.
Your pet gives you unconditional love — let’s return the favor with lifelong care.
Barks & Recreation is proud to feature Dr. Eileen Savier CVA, CVCH as our Veterinary Blogger in our “From the Vet” Series — offering information related to the health and welfare of your furry family members! Currently part of the team of doctors at Keystone Veterinary Clinic, Dr. Savier is a 2012 Graduate of the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, She completed her clinical experience at The Ohio State University and after veterinary school she pursued further education and certification in Veterinary Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, and Fear Free veterinary visits. Dr. Savier has a special interest in integrative medicine, animal behavior, and internal medicine and is committed to improving animal health care by integrating Eastern and Western philosophies. She enjoys working with fearful & aggressive dogs and cats and she has had additional training in low stress handling techniques and encourages positive reinforcement during exams and procedures. Her clinical interests include pain management, animal behavior, geriatric patient care, and internal medicine.
Dr. Savier shares her home with two (soon to be three) dogs, two cats, and a toddler. She lovingly refers to her two dogs as Coconut Retrievers as they were rescue dogs she brought home from the island of St. Kitts. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, going to the beach, and planning her next Disney vacation.
