The Doctors and Staff at Alpine Animal Hospital are committed to practicing the highest quality of veterinary medicine. We believe in preventative care and progressive medicine, and that is why we recommend every surgical patient have a pre-anesthetic bloodwork screen before ANY anesthetic procedure.

Pre-anesthetic bloodwork is required for animals 6 years of age and older, and HIGHLY recommended for animals under 6 years of age. Even young, apparently healthy animals can be born with conditions that can cause complications under anesthesia, such as:

• Kidney disorders
• Liver disorders
• Blood Clotting Disorders

Every surgical patient will receive a comprehensive physical exam before their procedure; however, physical exams can only tell the doctor about outward signs of health. Because animals cannot tell us how they feel, it is advantageous to have another way of looking into an animal's health. Bloodwork gives us a view of internal health in a non-invasive manner. Several forms of bloodwork (explained below) are available for your pet.

Complete Blood Cell Count (CBC):
A CBC measures various types of blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen to tissues. White blood cells are the body's primary defense against infection. Platelets are involved in the blood's clotting process. Some abnormalities that we might detect would be anemia, inflammation, acute or chronic infection, some bleeding disorders, dehydration and autoimmune diseases.

Packed Cell Volume and Total Protein (PCV/TP):
Packed Cell Volume, otherwise known as Hematocrit, measures the percentage of red blood cells. This allows us to detect anemia or dehydration. Total Protein measures two forms of protein in the body: Albumin and Globulins. This measurement can be an indicator of liver and kidney disease or possibly malnutrition.

Comprehensive Serum Blood Chemistry:
This test is a series of individual tests that can give us valuable information regarding organ function, electrolyte status, and more. What you will find in a Comprehensive Serum Blood Chemistry:

• BUN, Creatine, and Phosphorus - Kidney
• ALT, Alkaline Phophatase, Albumin and Bilirubin - Liver
• Amylase - Pancreas
• Total Protein and Globulin -- Immune System, Dehydration
• Glucose -- Diabetes, Insulin
• Cholesterol - Hypothyroidism, Cushing's disease, Pancreatitis
• Calcium - Kidney disease, Endocrine diseases, some tumors
• Electrolytes - Endocrine diseases, Kidney, and Dehydration