How Much is Blood Work for a Dog?

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Written by Shawn Pineda
Last Updated on
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Blood tests act as a diagnostic and preventive tool. Maybe a blood test for a dog sounds very drastic for you but it is so important to conduct_so your vet can detect the health concerns and infections in early stages. How much a blood test costs for a dog varies according to the area you are living in or the provider or other conditions. However, an average cost is $100 to $200 for your dog’s blood test. Moreover read till last to be acknowledged.

How much does it cost to get a dog’s blood test done?

On an average $100 to $200 are required for a dog’s routine full blood panel. But some factors can change the overall cost of a dog’s blood test. These includes:

Blood test type: Routine blood test costs less than the special blood tests for dogs.

Frequency: The condition of your dog or his age might increase the frequency of blood tests required.
Location: Your living site or the place where the test is being conducted like in a lab, emergency vet or in a house_it will change the overall cost.

You can ask for a prize breakdown to your veterinarian, in case your dog has a routine blood test schedule, it will help you to prepare financially ahead. It will be good if you ask your vet the prizes for other blood tests, thus ultimately you can make emergency funds in case of the injury and illness of your dog. 

Kinds of blood tests

For several reasons blood tests are conducted. For instance, for the diagnosis of heartworm, gastric problems, diseases such as parvo, infections and illness. For a routine dog health checkup blood tests are done or if your dog requires a surgery then blood work is needed as a pre-operative measure. Blood tests are also used for kidney disorders, allergies, cancer and diabetes. Some common blood tests includes:

Thyroid panel: The test is used to detect the level of hormones and for the identification of thyroid issues like hypothyroidism. 

Complete blood count (CBC): It’s the most common type of blood test which is used to monitor the level of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. 

Biochemistry profile: To get information about health conditions of internal tissues and organs. 

Are blood tests safe for dogs?

To monitor the potential health conditions and internal going on in your body, blood tests make a safe, easy and inexpensive side for dogs. To diagnose the infections and diseases, the analysis of structure and number of blood cells is necessary. The tests help a vet to diagnose any health concern at early stages rather than on later stages to make the cure easy. 

Why blood tests are important for dogs

You might consider blood tests so important for your dog but for canine health it is essential. The disorders which might be unseen, can be monitored by blood work at early stages. Blood chemistry analysis and complete blood count (CBC) both are involved in blood tests. Blood tests help the veterinarians in several forms like diagnosing the health concerns, selecting the perfect treatment, checking the outcome to therapy and in determination of organ damage due to different medicines. 

Blood tests can trigger the common health problems at early stages like:

  • Parasites.
  • Kidney failure.
  • Diabetes.
  • Allergies.

Frequency of blood tests for your dog may vary. 

  • Frequent blood testing is required for older dogs.
  • Regular monitoring is for canines with existing health concerns.
  • Pre-operative blood tests are also very important. 

Periodic blood tests prove to be very beneficial for healthy canines, particularly if they are showing unusual health signs.

Cost of routine dog blood test 

  • Routine blood test for dogs

Routine blood tests involve blood chemistry analysis and complete blood count (CBC)_generally done by the year. 

Aim: Overall health outline and to establish the baseline details for future recommendations. 

Cost: $100 to $200. 

  • Pre-surgical blood test

If your dog is going to have a surgery then a pre-operative blood test is needed.

Aim: For detection of health problems including blood clots which negatively affects anesthesia. 

Cost: Varies but comparable to the routine blood tests. 

  • Boise clinic accounts 

For a routine blood panel_$110.

Pre-operative test_$100 to $184.

  • Reasonable animal hospitals in Los Angeles accounts 

Chemistry panel or CBC_$85.

Pre-operative screening_$190. 

For the annum wellness exams, blood tests are important. Prices vary because of provider and location. For financial preps of dog’s blood tests, you should consult your vet. 

Service Cost 
Wellness Exam $60 to $80
Fecal Exam $75
Heartworm Test $75 plus 
Influenza Vaccine $35
DAPP Vaccine $28
Rabies Vaccine $11

Cost of irregular blood test

Moreover from pre-operative blood panels and routine blood tests, your veterinarian might suggest some specialized tests to determine heartworm condition, infections and the level of hormones in case of a health issue. Specialized tests have more details so are expensive. If a routine CBS test in dogs indicates high levels of lymphocytes then specialized tests will be required for lymphoma or leukemia. To determine particular allergens_allergy blood panels will need $200 to $300. 

Regular monitoring is required for happening health problems like monthly thyroid tests for detecting hypothyroidism, and needs additional cost. In case your dog’s routine blood test costs $200 might prompt the thyroid panel to cost $200 and 6 months of further monthly tests_makes the total cost $1400. 

From this scenario you can understand how total cost can be changed by diagnosis and further following tests. 

Along with the basic biochemistry panel/CBC $85, various blood tests are offered by Affordable Animal Hospital. Costs of some common tests are here: 

Service Cost 
Phenobarb levels$140 to $340
Canine parvo test $80
Thyroid panel $210 plus 

Medication

Blood test works as a diagnostic tool, occasionally the outcomes are clean but conversely it might also indicate health issues. In this case medicines, surgery and follow up visits tend to increase the overall cost. 

Do pet insurance policies also cover blood tests for dogs?

Unpredicted veterinarian bills because of instant sickness and accidents can be covered by pet insurance, just like human health insurance. The coverage of per insurance varies by the chosen plan and provider_so including the blood test in it will be a good decision. 

Many schemes like ASPCA Pet Health Insurance Plan, includes the blood test required for the canine treatment after a sudden illness or accident. You might require to pay additional for the protective control add-on_for a routine caution. The wellness exams include tick and flea medications, vaccines and other aids. 

Pet insurance plans generally don’t cover the ailments for preceding health concerns, thus blood tests for your canine are not covered also. However, it’ll be good to discuss the details with the provider. 

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