What does a dog's full blood test, UA, and T4 panel actually check?

These are 3 different blood tests commonly performed to assess overall health. The CBC (complete blood count) assesses the red & white blood cells and platelets. A chemistry 24 evaluates overall organ function, measuring values of liver and kidney enzymes, blood glucose, electrolytes and blood proteins. There are several different thyroid tests, which measure different thyroid hormones. Always remember that any test results are interpreted in light of clinical exam findings and any clinical signs that Hobbs may be displaying at home.

Liver and kidney values (ALT, Alk Phos, GGT, BUN, Creatinine) are on Chemistry panels which can be ordered separately from Complete Blood Counts that measure neutrophil counts (elevated with infection), hematocrit (a measure of hydration status), platelet levels (an indicator of clotting function). I recommend asking your vet for pricing for just the Chem panel vs pricing for a CBC/Chem panel if desired. Good luck!

A urine test, or [urinalysis](https://www.petcoach.co/article/urinalysis-testing-a-urine-sample/), analyzes a urine sample and may be performed as a part of a wellness screening panel or due to illness. A urinalysis is useful in aiding in the diagnosis of a range of medical conditions, including [urinary tract infection](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/utis-in-dogs), crystals in the urine, [diabetes](https://www.petcoach.co/cat/condition/feline-diabetes) and kidney disease, among many others. Many different parameters are evaluated, including the concentration, pH, glucose, protein, red blood cells, white blood cells, bilirubin, ketones, bacteria, crystals and casts present in the urine. Annual wellness lab tests, including a urinalysis, are typically recommended for most senior pets. However, routine urinalyses are not typically performed on other healthy adult animals. If your pet begins to display changes in their urinary habits, such as urinating more frequently, straining to urinate, having accidents in the house, blood in the urine or is drinking more water, it is likely that your veterinarian will recommend performing a urinalysis.

All the conditions you mentioned except cancer are easily spotted on a full panel blood labwork, Cancer is the exception and is usually very difficult to diagnose when growing internally. a minority of cancers can be spotted on bloodwork, others can be spotted on xray, ultrasound, endoscopy and advanced imaging such as CT scan and MRI.

Yes, a single thyroid test can be very difficult to interpret and T4 levels are generally reduced if unwell from any cause. A repeat sample in one month would be recommended to investigate and comparison with TSH level is important at the same time

Hi there and thanks for posting on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! No, the urinalysis would not be able to give you information regarding the direct function of the digestive system or pancreas specifically. A diagnosis of diabetes is made when there is high blood glucose and glucose in the urine. A urinalysis primarily measures kidney function and liver function and also screens for crystals or other types of sediment in the urine, bacteria, blood, and white blood cells that could indicate an infection or other urinary tract issue. A urinalysis can also tell you how concentrated the urine is which is used to help assess hydration status. I hope this helps!

Poor Shelby. I personally would recommend a urinalysis and blood work to start, and an ultrasound if needed . You want to be able to differentiate where the blood is coming from. It could be coming from the kidneys or the urinary bladder. But so much information can be gathered from the urinalysis, such as any abnormal cells, bacteria, or crystals. Also you have to keep in mind that two types of urinary stones (Cystine and Urate) are not visible on an x-ray. I hope you get to the bottom of Shelby's condition soon!