It's our job to ensure that your pet can properly process and then eliminate the anesthetic he or she is given.  Before we perform any procedure requiring anesthesia we run tests to confirm that your pet's organs are functioning properly and to reveal any hidden health conditions that could put your pet at risk.

A complete blood count takes a look at the red blood cells, the white blood cells, and the platelets.  This helps us to detect anemia, inflammatory processes, or blood clotting problems.

A serum biochemistry profile looks at liver function, kidney function, blood sugar, blood protein, calcium, and electrolytes(sodium, potassium, and chloride).

A urinalysis provides us with a wealth of information about your pet's urinary system, especially kidney function and any clue about underlyng urinary tract infections.

An activated clotting time, or ACT, provides us with even more information about your pet's ability to clot its blood during surgery.  This is extremely important!

The four top reasons to test your pet before anesthesia are: 1) You deserve peace of mind.  2) Pet's can't tell us when they don't feel well.  3) Testing can reduce risk and consequences.  4) Testing can help to protect your pet's future health by providing baseline levels for your pet's medical record for future reference.