Why Lab Work Matters for Your Dog

Lab work plays a crucial role in keeping your dog healthy. Whether it’s part of a routine checkup or a step in diagnosing an illness, these tests give us a look at what’s happening inside your pet—beyond what we can see during a physical exam. At Whittington Veterinary Clinic, we use lab work to catch early signs of disease, monitor ongoing conditions, and make sure your dog is healthy enough for surgery or treatment.

Diagnostic Lab Services We Provide for Dogs

Our in-house lab testing provides same-day results, allowing us to quickly diagnose, monitor, and prevent a wide range of health issues in dogs. Common tests we perform include:

  • Urinalysis – Measures parameters such as PH, glucose, ketones and blood in urine. Detects signs of infection or kidney concerns
  • Complete Blood Count (CBC) – Evaluates Red blood cells, White blood cells, and platelets to help identify conditions like Anemia, indicate infections, inflammation, or other health issues
  • Blood Chemistry Panels – Assesses organ function, electrolyte balance, and other specific conditions
  • Heartworm Tests – A blood test used to detect heartworm disease
  • Thyroid Tests - A blood test performed to check the hormones that affect metabolism
  • Canine Pancreatic Lipase Test - A blood test that measures the enzyme produced by the pancreas
  • Intestinal Parasite Screening – Examination of a small stool sample under a microscope viewing to identify hidden parasites in the digestive tract
  • Parvo Test – Detects the presence of parvovirus from a small stool sample
  • Glucose Curve Test - Involves multiple blood samples over several hours to see how insulin affects blood sugar throughout the day
  • Skin Scrape – Collection of material from superficial, dry, and sometimes ulcerative lesions using a scalpel blade to scrape the skin surface then examine under the microscope to diagnose infections
  • Skin Cytology - Examines the cells and microorganisms from the skin surface under the microscope to identify infections, inflammatory cells, and other abnormalities by using a swab, tape, or fine needle aspirate for collection
  • Ear Cytology – Examines ear discharge under a microscope to detect yeast, bacteria, or mites

In-house testing gives us fast results—often the same day—so we can diagnose and treat sick patients without delay. For more complex or specialized cases, we may send samples to an outside lab for deeper analysis and broader testing options.

How do baseline lab tests benefit my dog’s health?

Even if your dog seems healthy, baseline lab tests are important. They give us a snapshot of what’s normal for your pet—so if something changes in the future, we can catch it early and compare it to their usual levels. This helps us diagnose issues sooner and more accurately.

Whether it’s a routine wellness check or diagnosing a problem, lab work helps us catch issues early and treat them effectively.

Have questions about your dog’s lab results or need to schedule an appointment? Call us at (337) 893-8522 —we’re here to help!