The Importance of Pre-Anesthetic Bloodwork for Pets | Townsgate
When your pet needs surgery—whether it’s a spay, dental procedure, or orthopedic operation—there’s one step we always recommend before anesthesia: bloodwork. While your pet may appear healthy on the outside, blood tests provide a clearer picture of their internal health and help us avoid complications.
At Townsgate Pet Hospital, we prioritize safety at every stage of surgery. Pre-anesthetic bloodwork allows us to detect hidden conditions that could affect how your pet handles anesthesia. It’s a simple, quick test that gives us crucial information before moving forward with any procedure.
The blood panel we run typically includes a complete blood count (CBC) and a chemistry panel. The CBC evaluates red and white blood cells and platelets, helping us detect signs of infection, anemia, or clotting problems. The chemistry panel looks at organ function—especially the liver and kidneys, which are responsible for processing anesthesia and medications.
Even young, healthy pets can have underlying conditions that don’t show symptoms. A mild kidney issue or abnormal liver enzymes might not cause visible signs but could make anesthesia riskier. If we detect something abnormal, we can delay surgery, adjust anesthesia protocols, or choose a safer alternative.
This proactive step also gives us a baseline for future reference. If your pet ever becomes ill, we can compare new bloodwork to previous values and detect changes earlier.
We understand that surgery can be stressful, and every pet parent wants to know their companion is in good hands. Running bloodwork before surgery helps us create a personalized anesthetic plan that ensures your pet’s safety and comfort from start to finish.
It’s not just about following a checklist—it’s about giving your pet the best possible care. Your peace of mind matters just as much as your pet’s outcome. With this simple step, we add a layer of protection that gives us—and you—confidence going into surgery day. If you have any questions please call (805) 230-1999 or give us a quick visit at 2806 Townsgate Road Suite C,Westlake Village, CA 91361.
