Why Annual Labs Are AWESOME (And Could Save Your Pet’s Life)
You bring your pet in for vaccines, heartworm testing, and flea/tick prevention—so why do we recommend labwork every year even if your pet seems perfectly healthy? At PetMed of Key West Veterinary Clinic in Dubuque, we believe in proactive, not reactive care. And one of the most powerful tools we have to keep your pet healthy is routine annual bloodwork.
Early Detection = Better Outcomes
Many illnesses in dogs and cats start silently—before any outward symptoms appear. Annual labwork can help us detect:
- Kidney disease before it causes weight loss or vomiting
- Liver changes before appetite drops
- Early signs of diabetes, thyroid disease, or anemia
- Subtle electrolyte imbalances or infections
- Inflammatory conditions or abnormal organ function
The earlier we find a problem, the more we can do to treat it—and potentially reverse it.
Know What “Normal” Looks Like—For YOUR Pet
Every pet is unique! What’s “normal” for one dog might not be for another. When we check your pet’s labs yearly, we’re not just looking for disease—we’re also building a baseline of their normal values. This means that if your pet gets sick later, we can compare to their own past results to spot even small changes and get answers faster. Think of it as your pet’s internal health history—written in numbers.
What’s Included in Annual Labs?
Annual labwork typically includes:
- CBC (Complete Blood Count): Checks for infection, anemia, inflammation, and more
- Chemistry Panel: Evaluates organ function (liver, kidneys), blood sugar, electrolytes
- Thyroid Testing (in older pets)
- Urinalysis (routine in cats): Checks for early kidney disease, infections, crystals, or diabetes
- SDMA: A sensitive kidney marker that detects problems before creatinine rises
Affordable Preventive Care With Our Wellness Plans
At PetMed of Key West, we make it easy and affordable to prioritize your pet’s health with our Wellness Plans—customized for every life stage.
Our wellness plans include:
- Physical exams
- Vaccines
- Parasite screening
- Annual labwork
- And more—all bundled into affordable monthly payments!
Don’t Wait for Something to Be Wrong
We hear it all the time: “My pet seems fine. Why do labs if nothing is wrong?”
Because that’s the best time to do it! Preventive labwork gives us the opportunity to catch issues early, fine-tune care, and give your pet the healthiest, happiest life possible. Call PetMed of Key West today to schedule your pet’s annual wellness exam and labwork. Or ask us about enrolling in a Wellness Plan to make routine care stress-free and budget-friendly!