Top 5 Conditions We Find in Wellness Blood Tests

Your pet may seem perfectly healthy on the outside—but what’s happening inside their body isn’t always easy to spot. That’s why routine wellness blood tests are such a powerful tool in preventive care.

At Creature Comforts, we recommend annual blood screening—especially for pets over age 7 because it helps us catch hidden problems before symptoms appear. Early detection often means easier treatment, lower costs, and a better quality of life for your pet.

Here are the top 5 conditions we commonly find during routine wellness blood tests!

Kidney disease is one of the most common issues we detect—especially in cats over 7 years old. It progresses slowly and silently, often without symptoms until 70% or more of kidney function is lost.

What we look for:

• Elevated SDMA, creatinine, and BUN levels
• Changes in urine concentration
• High blood pressure or dehydration

Why it matters:

Early-stage kidney disease can often be managed with diet, hydration support, and medication—but only if caught in time.

📌 Related Read: [Kidney Disease 101: What Every Cat Owner Should Know]

Diabetes isn’t just a human disease—it affects pets, too. Dogs and cats with diabetes often show signs like increased thirst, weight loss, or urinary accidents, but some cases are only picked up through blood work.

What we look for:

• High blood glucose
• Presence of glucose in urine
• Changes in fructosamine (a long-term glucose marker)

Why it matters:

With early diagnosis, diabetes can be managed through diet, insulin therapy, and regular monitoring—helping pets live long, happy lives.

The liver has many jobs—detoxifying the blood, producing proteins, and aiding digestion. Because it’s a hardworking organ, small issues can go unnoticed until they become serious.

What we look for:

• Elevated ALT, AST, ALP, and GGT (liver enzymes)
• Changes in bilirubin, cholesterol, or albumin

Why it matters:

Liver issues may be caused by infection, inflammation, toxins, or tumors. Early changes in blood values give us a head start on diagnosis and treatment.

• Hyperthyroidism (common in senior cats) causes weight loss, hunger, and restlessness.
• Hypothyroidism (common in middle-aged dogs) leads to weight gain, lethargy, and skin issues.

What we look for:

• Abnormal T4 or TSH hormone levels

Why it matters:

Thyroid issues are highly manageable with medication and routine monitoring—but early diagnosis is key to avoiding long-term complications.

Blood tests also screen for subtle imbalances in:

• Electrolytes (like sodium, potassium, calcium)
• Protein levels (albumin and globulins)
• Anemia or infection indicators (via red and white blood cells)

These values can uncover:

• Dehydration
• Internal bleeding
• Infections
• Hidden inflammation
• Cancer-related changes

💡 Many of these are completely symptomless in early stages.