Complete blood count
Measures red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. It can identify patterns consistent with anemia, inflammation, infection, immune disease, dehydration or platelet abnormalities.
DOG & CAT HEALTH · EARLY DETECTION
Routine diagnostics:
what the tests tell us.
A detailed guide to wellness bloodwork, urine and fecal testing, infectious-disease screening, blood pressure, electrocardiograms, and proactive imaging.
IN THIS GUIDEThe tests commonly combined in wellness screeningA practical discussion guide—not a one-size-fits-all scheduleScreening expands when history or results point somewhereBaseline imaging is not a universal screening recommendationAbnormal does not always mean disease—and normal does not guarantee healthTrusted sources
TEST THE PET IN FRONT OF YOU
Age guides screening—but does not replace individual assessment.
The American Animal Hospital Association and American Association of Feline Practitioners recommend tailoring diagnostics to life stage, history, examination findings and risk. The goal is to find quiet disease earlier, establish useful baselines and investigate changes before they become crises.
Baselinedefines this pet’s normalTrendshows change over timeTargetedtesting follows risk and findings
01 · THE CORE DATABASE
The tests commonly combined in wellness screening
Chemistry panel
Assesses organ-related markers, proteins, glucose, electrolytes and minerals. Results can raise concern for kidney, liver, metabolic, endocrine or hydration problems, but rarely diagnose a disease alone.
Urinalysis
Evaluates urine concentration, acidity, cells, crystals, protein, glucose, ketones, bilirubin and blood. It adds information that bloodwork cannot provide and is especially important when assessing kidneys and urinary disease.
Fecal testing
Looks for parasite eggs, cysts or antigens depending on the method. A negative sample reduces—but does not always eliminate—the possibility of infection because shedding can be intermittent.
Infectious-disease tests
May include heartworm, tick-borne disease, feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus testing. Geography, travel, exposure, prevention history and prior results shape the plan.
Blood pressure
Helps identify hypertension that can damage the eyes, kidneys, heart and brain. Calm handling, correct cuff size and repeated readings matter because stress can falsely elevate a result.
02 · LIFE-STAGE ROADMAP
A practical discussion guide—not a one-size-fits-all schedule
- Puppies and kittens: fecal parasite testing, infectious-disease screening when indicated, and preanesthetic or illness-related laboratory work. A healthy baseline may be useful when results would change care.
- Young adults: periodic complete blood count, chemistry and urinalysis can establish baseline values. Continue annual heartworm testing in dogs and risk-based infectious-disease and fecal testing.
- Mature adults: annual laboratory screening is commonly considered because hidden kidney, liver, endocrine, urinary and blood-cell changes become more likely with age.
- Senior and geriatric pets: the American Animal Hospital Association suggests complete blood count, chemistry and urinalysis every six to twelve months, with thyroid testing and blood pressure—especially in cats—and other tests based on species, risk and findings.
- Any age: weight loss, increased drinking or urination, appetite change, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, exercise intolerance, pain or behavior change can justify testing sooner.
| Life stage | Dogs | Cats |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy or kitten | Fecal testing four times in the first year; infectious-disease, baseline and preanesthetic testing as indicated. | Strongly consider a baseline fecal examination and feline leukemia virus/feline immunodeficiency virus testing; other tests as indicated. |
| Young adult | Annual heartworm and tick-borne disease testing; consider a baseline complete blood count, chemistry and urinalysis. | Consider a baseline complete blood count, chemistry, urinalysis, thyroid, kidney markers and blood pressure; repeat according to risk. |
| Mature adult | Complete blood count, chemistry and urinalysis at least annually; infectious-disease and fecal testing according to risk. | Complete blood count, chemistry, urinalysis, thyroid, kidney markers and blood pressure every one to two years; fecal and retroviral testing by risk. |
| Senior or geriatric | Comprehensive complete blood count, chemistry and urinalysis every six to twelve months; additional tests based on breed and findings. | Core laboratory testing at least yearly, with every-six-month testing recommended; thyroid and blood pressure are important parts of screening. |
Important: The colored age bands in manufacturer charts are useful conversation starters, not diagnostic rules. Physiological-age comparisons are estimates and should never be used alone to choose tests.
03 · TESTS ADDED WHEN INDICATED
Screening expands when history or results point somewhere
Thyroid testing
Total thyroxine is commonly screened in older cats for hyperthyroidism. Dogs with compatible signs or laboratory patterns may need a fuller thyroid evaluation rather than a single number.
Urine protein testing
A urine protein-to-creatinine ratio helps quantify persistent protein loss. A urine culture checks for bacterial growth when infection is suspected or may be silent.
Heart markers
N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide may help assess cardiac strain in selected cats and dogs. An electrocardiogram records electrical rhythm; neither replaces an examination or echocardiogram when those are needed.
Imaging
Radiographs, ultrasound and echocardiography answer different questions. Imaging is chosen for the body system, clinical concern and whether the result could change management.
04 · INDIVIDUALIZED RADIOGRAPH DISCUSSIONS
Baseline imaging is not a universal screening recommendation
Not a universal screening recommendation: routine baseline radiographs of healthy animals are practice- and patient-dependent. Your veterinarian may or may not recommend imaging based on age, species, medical history, examination findings and individual risk factors. Some practices discuss selected chest or abdominal baseline views, but no fixed every-three-year schedule should be presented as necessary for every healthy dog or cat.
- A single side view is a limited survey, not a complete diagnostic study. Suspected disease usually requires multiple views, measurements and sometimes ultrasound, computed tomography or specialist interpretation.
- Comparison images can help document progression of arthritis, spondylosis, heart silhouette, mineralized structures or organ displacement—but normal radiographs cannot rule out many early diseases.
- The veterinarian should consider age, breed, prior disease, symptoms, pregnancy possibility, ability to position safely, stress, cost and whether a finding would change the plan.
- Radiation exposure from veterinary radiography is generally low, but every image should have a clinical purpose. Sedation may occasionally be the safest way to obtain diagnostic positioning.
- A three-year interval is a proactive-care option to discuss, not a grace period and not a substitute for annual examinations and laboratory trends.
Important: IMPORTANT: Routine chest and abdominal radiographs for healthy animals are not a universal screening standard. If imaging is discussed, ask what clinical question it answers, whether more than one view is needed and whether the result could change the individual animal’s care.
05 · INTERPRETING RESULTS
Abnormal does not always mean disease—and normal does not guarantee health
- Reference intervals describe most healthy animals, not every healthy individual.
- Hydration, stress, fasting, medications, sample handling and laboratory method can affect results.
- Small changes may be meaningful when they form a trend; isolated mild abnormalities often need confirmation.
- A veterinarian combines history, examination, prior results and follow-up testing before diagnosing or treating.
- Keep copies of results and imaging reports so future veterinarians can compare them.
Understanding the clinical question behind each test
Routine testing can establish a baseline, investigate subtle changes, or assess treatment and procedure safety. The appropriate tests depend on the patient rather than a universal package. Blood cells, chemistry, urine, fecal testing, pressure measurements, and imaging provide different information. Ask what question each proposed test addresses and which possible results would change the plan. A normal panel is useful, but it does not rule out every disease or replace examination.
Routine care can identify hidden changes
A wellness examination evaluates body condition, comfort, and species-relevant structures alongside the owner's history. Tests are selected according to the patient, exposure, and clinical question rather than an identical package for every animal. The visit is also an opportunity to review diet, housing, prevention, and a practical emergency plan. Bring current product labels and treatment records. An outwardly healthy animal can benefit from a baseline, while a new concerning change should be assessed without waiting for the next scheduled routine visit.
Collect samples for the question being asked
A useful specimen depends on the test, collection method, freshness, storage, and contamination. Ask the clinic what is needed before collecting urine, stool, water, tissue, or other material. Mark the collection time and relevant history, and follow transport instructions. A convenient home sample may answer one question while a differently collected sample is needed for another. Do not postpone care for an unstable animal while trying to obtain a perfect specimen; the team can arrange an appropriate collection when safe.
Define what improvement should look like
A care plan is easier to follow when expected changes are concrete. Ask which signs should improve, what ordinary functions should return, and how soon the team wants an update if that does not happen. Some problems need repeat measurements or examination even when the animal looks better. Record changes consistently and report new signs separately. A recheck evaluates response, complications, and treatment safety, rather than simply deciding whether to repeat the original prescription.
Know what is normal for this individual
The most useful home observations compare an animal with its own usual pattern. Record intake, output, weight where practical, activity, and comfortable function at consistent times. Normal variations differ between species and life stages. A brief record can reveal a trend that is difficult to remember accurately or reproduce during an appointment. It also helps assess treatment response. Sudden serious changes still need immediate advice; collecting a perfect record should never delay care.
TRUSTED SOURCES
Sources behind this guide
American Animal Hospital AssociationCanine diagnostic testing by life stage ↗American Animal Hospital Association and American Association of Feline PractitionersFeline diagnostic testing by life stage ↗American Animal Hospital AssociationSenior dog and cat testing recommendations ↗ZoetisClient age and wellness-screening reference used as context ↗
Source links are provided so readers can review the underlying guidance. Publication dates and recommendations can change; confirm individual plans with the treating veterinary team.