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Blood tests for dogs, cats and horses
A blood test provides crucial answers about your animal's internal health. We perform stress-free testing at home, in the stable, at our clinic or via our clinics to quickly and safely find the right diagnosis. Completely on the animal's terms.
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Blood tests for dogs, cats and horses
Related terms
Blood test dog price, kidney values cat symptoms, senior check dog blood test, anaplasma horse test, liver values dog interpretation.
What does a blood test involve?
A blood test is a valuable medical tool where we analyze the various values of the blood to get a clear picture of the body's internal functions. Depending on the symptoms the animal has, we can analyze everything from infection and organ status to blood sugar and hormones.
Blood test for dog
For dogs, blood tests are often used to track internal diseases, investigate allergies, or confirm tick-borne infections. Blood tests are often taken when the dog is drinking a lot, is tired, or is losing weight.
Blood test for cat
Cats are extremely prone to hiding age-related diseases. A blood test is a good tool for detecting kidney failure or hyperthyroidism (thyroid disorder) in good time, which are otherwise very difficult to detect externally.
Care guide: How to choose the right form of care for sampling
Since we offer our services through visits to the stable and home, at our veterinary clinics (Arken Zoo) and at our animal clinic in Östermalm, you can always get help where it suits you best. Here is a guide to make your choice easier.
Home visit
Taking blood samples from a scared cat or dog in a clinic environment can actually give temporarily misleading values (for example, falsely high blood sugar due to extreme stress). At home, the animal is relaxed, which gives accurate test results from the first moment. For horses, all testing (e.g. for tick-borne diseases) is of course done directly outside in their own stable.
Veterinary clinic
Our clinics connected to Arken Zoo (in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Uppsala) are excellent for an initial sample collection, submitting additional samples, taking follow-up blood tests for an already ongoing medication or purchasing veterinary food after a lab result has been provided.
Animal clinic
Our clinic in Östermalm is the safest choice if your animal is seriously ill and the blood test is the first step in an in-depth investigation. Here we have the option of advanced imaging diagnostics (such as ultrasound of the kidneys and liver) to confirm the suspicions that the blood test points to.
What can Vetathome do during a blood test?
Taking blood samples may seem complicated, but through our flexible care methods we adapt to the animal's needs. Whether we meet at home, in the stable, at one of our clinics (Kungens Kurva, Odenplan, Orminge, Askim, Boländerna) or at our clinic in Östermalm, we ensure a calm and safe sampling.
Identify
We take the blood sample methodically and carefully. The sample is centrifuged, carefully prepared and then sent directly to quality-assured, external laboratories so that we can accurately measure, for example, organ values, hormones or tick-borne diseases. At our clinic in Östermalm, we can also run certain tests in-house.
Treat
When the test results are ready, we will call you and carefully review the test results. We will work with you to create a plan and can write an e-prescription or recommend medical food. If the values indicate an acute life-threatening crisis, we will make sure to write an emergency referral to a nearby animal hospital.
Prevent
We strongly recommend an annual senior check-up with blood tests for older cats and dogs. This way we can detect incipient kidney and liver problems as early as possible and prevent a severe deterioration through proper nutrition even before the animal becomes seriously ill.
This is how the examination for a blood test goes step by step
1. Booking
You book an appointment and we will meet at your home, stable, clinic or an Arken Zoo reception.
2. Review
We start by listening to your story and your animal's symptoms to choose exactly the right laboratory analysis.
3. Sampling
We try to carry out the blood sampling as calmly as possible. We always strive to ensure that you and your animal feel as safe as possible during the blood sampling process.
4. Safe handling
The sample is carefully labeled and centrifuged. It is either analyzed in our in-house lab or sent by secure courier to an external laboratory.
5. Plan and follow-up
How quickly we receive the analysis results depends on which analysis has been chosen, but as soon as we receive the results, we will contact you for a review and plan for further action.
Do you have more questions?
Contact our customer service and we will help you further.
When is a home visit not enough?
Our outpatient service is perfect for investigating subtle symptoms like fatigue, itching, or weight loss. However, for acute, life-threatening conditions, immediate test results are required, which only large animal hospitals with emergency labs can offer.
When clinic or animal hospital is better
- The animal is severely lethargic, has collapsed or is having difficulty breathing.
- The mucous membranes in the mouth are chalky white, very pale, or bluish-red.
- The animal has bloody vomiting or severe, profuse diarrhea that can lead to rapid dehydration.
- You have strong suspicions of serious poisoning (e.g. from rat poison, glycol or chocolate).
Symptoms and early signs that require blood tests in dogs
The most common sign that something is wrong with your dog's body is that you notice a change in their energy or thirst. Internal diseases can affect organs such as the liver, kidneys or thyroid, which control functions throughout the body. Sometimes you only notice a single symptom such as increased thirst, but it can also happen that several organs are affected at the same time, resulting in many different symptoms and a diffuse picture of the disease.
The extent of the animal's symptoms can vary greatly, from barely noticeable changes to significant weight loss or a swollen abdomen. When you feel the animal, the fur often feels dull and the muscles may feel thin or rubbery across the back. In some cases, the mucous membranes in the mouth may feel dry, while in other cases they appear pale or yellow if there is serious organ involvement.
Early signs: In the early stages, internal diseases are rarely painful and the animal usually does not react due to tenderness when you gently squeeze the abdomen. However, it is important to know that over time the condition can become both critical and painful, especially if an inflammation of the kidneys or liver develops rapidly. If the disease is not caught in the early stages, the animal's pain can develop and the dog may, among other things, become short of breath, become nauseous and vomit.
When spreading: If the disease has significantly affected the animal's general condition, you may notice other symptoms. These may include swollen lymph nodes or joints, but also more diffuse signs such as extreme fatigue, loss of appetite, coughing or lameness. If the animal is hiding its discomfort, it may show it by sleeping unusually much, withdrawing when touched or showing signs of confusion at the food bowl.
If your animal shows signs of increased thirst, vomiting or fatigue, even if the animal appears otherwise pain-free, its health should always be assessed with a blood test by a veterinarian.
Internal diseases in cats – important differences
The information about internal diseases in dogs also applies to cats, but since cats are both predators and prey animals, they are true experts at hiding pain and illness from their surroundings. Hidden suffering often manifests itself as the cat sleeping a lot more, losing muscle mass over its back or suddenly starting to urinate outside the litter box. A blood test is often the absolute only way to find the cause. Kidney failure and overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) are extremely common in older cats. The symptoms are often vomiting, increased thirst and a flaky coat. If your cat suddenly stops eating and drinking, it is an urgent, time-critical condition; cats' livers suffer life-threatening damage after just a couple of days of fasting.
When should I contact a vet for blood tests – and when is it an emergency?
If you notice subtle changes in your animal's daily life, such as increased thirst, weight loss or decreased appetite, your concern is always justified. Then it is time to book a scheduled appointment for blood tests, either via home visits or at our clinics, to find the root cause in time. For horses, for example, unexplained fever may require a booked visit to the stable. Red flags that require immediate travel to the emergency hospital are if the animal suddenly collapses, vomits blood or has acute respiratory distress. Quality of life always comes first and a timely blood test is often the difference between a manageable illness and great suffering.
Diagnosis – how do you know what's wrong?
A blood test is an important piece of a medical puzzle to understand the animal's internal health and make the correct diagnosis.
- Clinical examination and history: We go through the animal's medical history together, feel the animal and listen to the heart before choosing the right type of blood analysis.
- Laboratory analysis: The sample is sent to a lab to measure blood counts, organ values, hormones or tick-borne diseases.
- Interpretation of test results: We interpret the test results based on the animal's symptoms, age and breed to make a reliable diagnosis.
- Diagnostic imaging and referral if necessary: If an X-ray or ultrasound is needed to confirm the answers, we will easily refer you to Östermalm.
Treatment and measures for dogs and horses after blood tests
Treatment is entirely determined by what the blood test reveals. If the test confirms a tick infection such as anaplasma in horses, we prescribe a course of antibiotics. If it is a case of impaired kidney function, liver problems or allergies in a dog, we immediately implement a treatment plan consisting of supportive medication and a tailor-made special diet.
The time afterwards – healing and follow-up
When a chronic internal disease has been diagnosed, there is often a period of adjustment at home. We will schedule regular follow-ups with new, smaller blood tests to constantly ensure that the dosage of any medication is correct and that the organs are supported in the best possible way.
Testing and treatment of cats at home
Cats are often extremely stressed by clinic visits, which can actually drive up certain blood values (for example blood sugar) to false levels. By taking the blood test at home, we get much more reliable values from the first prick. If the test shows that the cat suffers from diabetes or thyroid disease, we tailor the treatment carefully. Since many cats dislike pills, we help you as best we can to find convenient, adapted forms of medicine, e.g. liquid or for external use, for a stress-free everyday life.
Prognosis and expectations after blood test
The blood test often gives us the diagnosis and the prognosis is entirely dependent on the specific disease that the test reveals.
- Early detection – the faster we identify an abnormal organ value, the better we can protect the body.
- Correct medication – a tailored treatment based on the test results often provides rapid and noticeable symptom relief.
- Diet compliance – In diseases such as kidney failure, a special diet is often crucial for a good long-term quality of life.
The prognosis for dogs
If the blood test finds a hormonal disorder or an infection in time, and the correct treatment is initiated, the prognosis is usually very good and the animal can live a normal, long and active life.
The prognosis for cat
Many age-related diseases in cats, such as kidney failure, cannot be cured. But if they are caught early through a blood test profile specially designed for our senior patients, renal food and supportive medication can give the cat several wonderful, symptom-free extra years. .
Quality of life always comes first
Our primary focus is always your pet's well-being. Should the blood test show extreme and advanced organ failure where no treatment is working anymore, we will engage in an empathetic dialogue with you. Sometimes palliative care, or a peaceful final farewell, is the most loving thing we can offer.
Self-monitoring at home before the blood test
Many people worry and google ”elevated liver values” or ”blood test kidneys”, but remember that only the lab can give reliable answers. Before the test, you can observe three important things that will help us in the assessment:
- Look at the mucous membranes: Gently lift your lip. The gums should be a nice pink color. If they are noticeably pale, yellow, or red, that is an important signal for us.
- Check fluid balance: Lift a fold of skin on the neck. When you let go, the skin should immediately fall back. If it remains like a small "tent", the animal is dehydrated.
- Note the drinking: Have you had to refill the water bowl more often than usual? Increased thirst is an extremely common reason why we need to analyze blood values.
Prevention – can errors be detected early?
Taking a blood test for preventive purposes is one of the most effective ways to help your animal live a healthy and pain-free old age.
- Annual senior check-ups: Make it a habit to book a health check with blood tests annually when dogs and cats have passed 7 to 8 years of age.
- Maintain a healthy weight: Avoid being overweight, as it drastically increases the risk of diseases such as diabetes and puts strain on the body's organs.
- Tick prevention: Use a high-quality tick repellent to prevent serious tick-borne diseases.
Cost, insurance and compensation
We help you with direct settlement with your insurance company. Insurance often covers blood tests if they are taken as part of investigating an injury or illness, but rarely for purely preventive purposes. The price varies greatly depending on the specific values that the laboratory will analyze (for example, an allergy test is more expensive than a regular kidney test).
Medical examination in case of illness
A visit where we examine the animal and take blood tests to find the cause of symptoms such as fatigue, increased thirst or weight loss.
Usually covered by insurance
Yes, if the blood test is taken as part of investigating a suspected illness or injury, it is usually covered by your insurance.
To think about
Since lab costs vary greatly depending on what is analyzed (for example, simpler kidney values compared to a large allergy panel), we always give you a clear cost estimate on site.
Preventive routine tests & Senior check-ups
Blood tests taken on an apparently healthy (often older) animal to detect insidious age-related changes in good time before they cause symptoms.
Price from:
2150/kr
Veterinary consultation
2150kr
Nurse consultation
950kr
Laboratory fee
Price according to quote
Veterinary consultation evening/weekend
2350kr
Blood test (testing fee)
550kr
30+ years
experience
200k+
Visit
How much does a blood test for dogs and cats cost at your place?
The cost consists of our basic consultation fee (from SEK 2,150), the sampling fee for the stick itself (SEK 550), and the laboratory fee for the analysis itself. We always give you a cost estimate on site.
Is a blood test for allergies more expensive than a regular blood test?
Yes, a complete allergy panel usually costs more than a routine test for, for example, kidneys and liver. This is because the laboratory tests the blood against a large number of specific allergens in the environment.
How do you interpret a blood sample from a horse?
We always review the horse's test results personally with you. We compare the current values with established, normal reference ranges and put them in direct relation to how the horse actually feels and performs.
Does my animal need to fast before the test?
It depends entirely on which values we are going to analyze. Some bile acid tests and blood sugar checks require fasting, while other routine tests do not. We always inform you when booking what applies.
Can the disease anaplasma be seen in a blood test from a horse?
Yes, through a specific blood test we can look for antibodies or DNA from the bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum, which is absolutely crucial if the horse has unexplained fever and fatigue.
When can I take a blood test for pregnancy in a horse?
To get a reliable answer via a blood test, we look for the hormone eCG, which can usually be measured safely from around day 40 to day 120 after mating.
What does it mean if ALKP is high on a blood test?
ALKP (alkaline phosphatase) is an enzyme. If it is elevated in an adult dog, it often indicates that we need to examine the liver or biliary tract. However, in a young, growing puppy, a high value can be completely normal.
Is it possible to take a blood test on a cat that is very scared?
Yes, many cats that are impossible to handle in a stressful clinic environment are much calmer in their own home. If necessary, we can also prescribe a sedative to be given at home a few hours before we take the sample. If we have not met the patient before, we need to do an examination to ensure that the cat is a candidate for the sedative.
How quickly will we get results from the blood test?
Standard tests for, for example, liver and kidney tests can take up to a week, but we usually get the test results even faster. More advanced panels and special analyses, such as large allergy tests, can take up to a couple of weeks.
Does my pet insurance cover the blood test?
If the blood sample is taken as part of investigating a suspected illness or injury, and the animal is insured against this, the cost of the laboratory analysis is almost always covered. We will help you smoothly with direct settlement.
Frequently asked questions and answers
Here you can read some of the most common questions and answers that we often receive from our customers.
Personal animal care in safe environments – Home visits, clinic & reception
We cooperate with all insurance companies
VetAtHome offers both clinic visits, home visits and visits to our veterinary practices – what is best depends on your animal's needs and what feels most convenient for you. We work with all insurance companies, making it easy to get help regardless of your insurance coverage.
