Pre-Surgical Blood Screening

The pre-surgical blood screen consists of a CBC (complete blood count) and tests to check liver and kidney function. The CBC portion gives the veterinarian considerable information regarding your pet's health that may affect the success of the surgery planned.Among these, are the presence or absence of a generalized infection and whether or not your pet is anemic. Proper liver and kidney functions are necessary for your pet to be able to utilize the anesthetic once surgery is finished. The liver must convert the anesthetics into new chemical compounds, which the kidneys will then excrete into the urine. Failure of either of these functions may lead to prolonged anesthetic recovery and in extreme cases, death. If tests reveal anemia or infection, those conditions will have to be treated prior to the surgery being performed. Abnormalities in liver or kidney functions may preclude the surgery altogether, or more commonly, make the veterinarian change the amount and/or type of anesthetic before proceeding with the surgery.