Having a laboratory in the building changes what we can do in a single visit. Instead of sending a sample away and calling you in three days, we can often run the test, read it, and build a plan while you are still in the room — which on the days that matter is not convenience, it is medicine.
What we run on site
Complete blood counts, chemistry panels covering kidney and liver function, electrolytes, blood glucose, urinalysis, and parasite screening. We also run pre-anesthetic panels before surgery and rapid tests for conditions where the answer cannot wait.
- Complete blood counts and chemistry panels
- Kidney, liver, and electrolyte assessment
- Urinalysis and urine sediment examination
- Fecal testing and parasite screening
- Pre-anesthetic blood work before every procedure
Why speed genuinely matters
For a wellness panel, waiting a few days is no hardship. For a vomiting dog who might be obstructed, a cat who has stopped eating, or a patient who arrives collapsed, the difference between results now and results Thursday is the difference between treating the problem and guessing at it.
Same-visit results also mean we can start the right treatment immediately rather than covering all the possibilities with broad-spectrum medication while we wait.
When we send samples out
In-house is not always better. More complex testing — histopathology on a biopsy, endocrine panels, culture and sensitivity, tick-borne disease panels, genetic testing — goes to a reference laboratory where specialists interpret it properly. That is the right call even though it takes longer.
We will tell you which tests we are running here, which are going out, and roughly when to expect each. And we will only run what will actually change what we do next. Not every test is necessary, and a panel ordered out of habit is money that could go somewhere more useful.
Making sense of the numbers
A results printout is not a diagnosis. Values sit in context — the animal in front of us, their history, their previous results, and what we found on examination. A mildly abnormal value in a healthy patient often means nothing; a technically normal value that has shifted from your pet’s own baseline can mean a great deal.
We will go through the findings with you in plain language, at whatever level of detail you want. Nobody should leave holding a page of numbers they do not understand.
Common questions
How quickly will I get my pet’s lab results?
Tests run in our own laboratory — blood counts, chemistry panels, urinalysis, and parasite screens — are typically available during the same visit, so you usually leave with results and a plan. More complex tests sent to a reference laboratory generally take several days.
Does my pet need to fast before blood work?
For most panels a fast of around twelve hours gives the cleanest results, particularly for triglycerides and glucose. Water should always be available. We will tell you in advance if fasting is needed, and in urgent situations we run the tests regardless.
Why does my pet need pre-anesthetic blood work?
It confirms that the liver and kidneys, which process and clear anesthetic drugs, are working normally, and can reveal anemia, infection, or clotting problems that would change the anesthetic plan. It is one of the most valuable safety checks available before any procedure.
What does a mildly abnormal result mean?
Often very little on its own. Laboratory values are interpreted in the context of your pet’s history, examination findings, and previous results. A small deviation in an otherwise healthy animal is frequently insignificant, while a value still inside the normal range that has moved from your pet’s own baseline may be more meaningful.
How do I collect a urine or stool sample at home?
For urine, a clean shallow container works for dogs, and non-absorbent litter is available for cats. For stool, a fresh sample in a sealed bag or container is fine. Both are best collected the morning of the appointment and kept refrigerated if there will be a delay.
References & further reading
The guidance on this page follows current veterinary consensus. These are the sources behind it, if you would like to read further.
- Clinical pathology and laboratory procedures — Merck Veterinary Manual
- Anesthesia and Monitoring Guidelines (pre-anesthetic testing) — AAHA
- Pet owner resources — AVMA