Blood Testing
At Northern Beaches Veterinary Clinic, we have an in-house laboratory, which means we can test blood samples right here in Smithfield, Cairns and get results quickly, allowing us to make informed decisions about your pet’s veterinary care.
What happens when we take a blood sample?
Most blood samples are taken from the jugular vein in the neck, which is large enough to provide a good sample and allows us to collect the blood as quickly as possible. This is important because blood will start to clot once it is exposed to the air, and this can affect the results.
Most pets are also more relaxed when blood is taken from their jugular vein however, if necessary, a smaller sample can be taken from a vein in the leg. Once the blood has been collected, we place pressure over the vein for a minute or so to prevent any bruising. This can sometimes be hard in wriggly patients!
The blood is placed into tubes appropriate for required tests, most of which can be run at our in-house laboratory. However, a few tests require more specialised equipment, so we send those samples to an external laboratory.
If you have any questions about blood testing and your pet, please give us a call on (07) 4225 3238.
Any Questions?
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