Your Pet Looks Healthy—But Are They? Why Annual Testing Is So Important

Susanna Burgett, LVT • October 22, 2025

Why We Recommend Annual Bloodwork and Parasite Testing for Your Pet

As your pet’s healthcare team, our goal is to help them live a long, healthy, and happy life. One of the most important ways we do that is through annual bloodwork and parasite testing—even if your pet seems perfectly healthy.

Just like in human medicine, routine lab testing allows us to catch hidden health problems early, often before your pet shows any symptoms. Early detection means more effective treatment, better outcomes, and often lower long-term costs for care.


What We Learn from Bloodwork

Annual bloodwork provides a detailed look at your pet’s internal health. It’s made up of two main parts: a Complete Blood Count (CBC) and a biochemistry panel.


Complete Blood Count (CBC)

A CBC evaluates the cellular components of your pet’s blood, including:

  • Red blood cells (RBCs) – These carry oxygen throughout the body. Abnormalities may indicate anemia, dehydration, or other systemic diseases.
  • White blood cells (WBCs) – These are the body’s infection fighters. Too many can indicate infection or inflammation; too few can suggest immune suppression or bone marrow issues.
  • Platelets – These help with blood clotting. Low platelet counts can cause bleeding issues, while high counts can signal inflammation or other conditions.


The CBC gives us a picture of your pet’s overall immune status and helps identify infections, inflammation, or blood disorders.


Chemistry Panel: Checking Internal Organ Function

This portion of the bloodwork looks at how well your pet’s organs are working. Some of the key values include:

  • Liver function tests (ALT, ALP, bilirubin, etc.) – The liver filters toxins, metabolizes medications, and supports digestion. Abnormal values may indicate liver disease, infection, or damage from toxins or certain medications.
  • Kidney function tests (BUN, creatinine, SDMA) – The kidneys filter waste and regulate hydration. Elevated values can indicate early kidney disease, dehydration, or other metabolic issues.
  • Pancreatic values (amylase, lipase, sometimes specific pancreatic lipase tests) – These help us detect pancreatitis or other digestive problems that can cause pain, vomiting, or appetite changes.
  • Thyroid levels (T4) – The thyroid regulates metabolism. Low levels (hypothyroidism) are common in dogs and can lead to weight gain, lethargy, and skin issues. High levels (hyperthyroidism) are common in older cats and can cause weight loss, hyperactivity, and heart problems.
  • Urinalysis – Often performed alongside bloodwork, this test gives us additional information about kidney health, hydration, diabetes screening, and urinary tract issues.


Fecal PCR Testing

Traditional fecal tests look for parasite eggs under a microscope, but fecal PCR testing (polymerase chain reaction) uses advanced DNA technology to identify even small amounts of genetic material from intestinal parasites, including roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, coccidia, Giardia, and more.

This method is more accurate and sensitive, meaning we can detect infections that may be missed on a routine fecal float. Regular fecal testing helps keep your pet and your household safe—since some parasites can also infect people.


Heartworm and Tick-Borne Disease Testing

Heartworm disease, spread by mosquitoes, is a potentially fatal condition that damages the heart and lungs. Even pets on prevention can occasionally be exposed or miss a dose, which is why annual testing is essential. Early detection allows treatment before permanent damage occurs.

Many of our annual screening panels also test for tick-borne diseases such as:

  • Lyme disease
  • Ehrlichiosis
  • Anaplasmosis

Ticks can transmit these infections without you ever seeing them attached. Testing helps us identify hidden infections before they cause serious illness.


Prevention Is the Best Medicine

Annual testing gives us a baseline for your pet’s normal values and helps us spot trends or changes over time. Combined with routine physical exams, vaccinations, and parasite prevention, this proactive approach helps your pet stay healthy for years to come.

Even if your pet seems perfectly fine, remember—they can’t tell us when something feels off. Routine bloodwork and parasite screening are the best tools we have to listen to what’s going on inside.


Schedule Your Pet’s Annual Screening

If your pet is due for their annual checkup, now is the perfect time to schedule their wellness exam, bloodwork, and parasite testing. Early detection means a healthier, happier life for your best friend—and peace of mind for you.


Call us at 256-870-2092 or request an appointment online today!

Your Pet Looks Healthy—But Are They? Why Annual Testing Is So Important

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By Susanna Burgett, LVT • August 22, 2025
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Four-in-One and The Some -- Meet Credelio Quattro

By Susanna Burgett, LVT • August 11, 2025
Q: My pet is already on Simparica, Nexgard, or Bravecto. Why are you recommending Credelio Quattro instead? Great question! All of those preventions — Simparica, Simparica Trio, Nexgard, Nexgard Plus, and Bravecto — belong to the same drug family called isoxazolines. The main difference is the specific molecule used. Credelio Quattro’s active ingredient is lotilaner, which is considered the safest molecule in this class. It’s so safe that it’s even used in human medicine! This gives your pet strong, fast-acting parasite protection with an excellent safety profile. Q: How fast do ticks transmit disease? It depends on the disease. One of the most common tick-borne diseases in Alabama is Ehrlichiosis, spread by the Lone Star Tick. This tick can transmit Ehrlichia in as little as 3 hours after biting. Credelio Quattro starts killing ticks in as little as 2 hours, working through neuromuscular breakdown to stop them before they can pass on disease. Q: What is Ehrlichiosis, and why should I be concerned? Ehrlichia spp. is a disease that can infect dogs, cats, and even people (that’s right — it’s zoonotic). Symptoms in pets can include fever, low energy, depression, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Preventing ticks from biting — and killing them quickly if they do — is the best way to protect your whole family. Q: How common is Ehrlichiosis here? In 2025, statewide in Alabama, 1 in 30 dogs tested positive for Ehrlichia, according to the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC). Madison County: 1 in 50 dogs Limestone County: 1 in 30 dogs The reason Madison County numbers are lower is because more owners are consistently using tick prevention that works fast enough to stop transmission. Credelio Quattro is the only isoxazoline proven to kill the Lone Star Tick the fastest — and it lasts twice as long in the body as similar products. Q: Does Credelio Quattro protect against other ticks? Yes! It also kills ticks that spread Lyme Disease and Anaplasmosis. Q: What else does Credelio Quattro protect against? It’s more than just a tick killer — it’s an all-in-one monthly chew that protects against: Heartworm disease Fleas 3 species of tapeworms Roundworms Hookworms It starts protecting against heartworm disease from the very first dose. Q: What’s this “manufacturer guarantee” you mentioned? When purchased through our clinic or our trusted online pharmacy ( Vetcove Home Delivery ), Elanco — the manufacturer — guarantees the product. That means if your pet develops a parasite or disease listed on the label despite using Credelio Quattro as directed, Elanco will pay for testing and treatment (up to a set dollar amount). If you buy from a third-party pharmacy that isn’t connected to our clinic, you’d need to file the claim yourself. Q: Do I need a heartworm test before starting Credelio Quattro? If your pet has been on another prevention and is 4 months or older, we’ll do a heartworm test 6 months after starting Credelio Quattro. No test is needed right before starting unless doses have been missed. Q: What if I miss a dose? If you miss a dose, your pet will need to be retested for heartworms 6 months after restarting the prevention to keep the manufacturer guarantee active. Bottom line: Credelio Quattro works faster, lasts longer, and protects against more parasites than most preventions. In Alabama, where ticks and heartworms are a year-round concern, it’s one of the best tools we have to keep your pet safe and healthy. 📞 If you’d like to learn more or find out if Credelio Quattro is right for your pet, call us or send us a message today — we’re happy to help! 

From Paws to Pee: The Dirty Truth About Leptospirosis

By Susanna Burgett, LVT • July 15, 2025
What is leptospirosis? Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease found in soil and water, especially in warm climates with frequent rainfall or flooding. Dogs can become infected by: Walking through contaminated soil and licking their paws Drinking from puddles, ponds, or other stagnant water Contact with urine-contaminated food or infected animal tissue Wildlife—particula rly rats and raccoons— are common carriers and can shed the bacteria through their urine. Does my dog need a leptospirosis vaccine? Yes. As of June 2024, leptospirosis has been classified as a core vaccine by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). According to Dr. Ingrid Taylor, DVM, AAHA’s Director of Guidelines: “Any dog that goes outdoors, whether in an urban or rural setting, can be exposed to leptospirosis.” Because leptospirosis is zoonotic—meaning it can spread between animals and humans—it’s strongly recommended for all dogs, regardless of lifestyle or location. How is the vaccine administered? At Southpaw Animal Clinic of Madison, we include leptospirosis with your pet’s annual distemper/parvovirus/parainfluenza vaccination. If your dog has never been vaccinated for leptospirosis: They’ll receive an initial dose, followed by a booster 3–4 weeks later. Completing this two-dose series is critical for full protection. If too much time passes between doses or annual updates, the series will need to be restarted. We recommend starting vaccination at 12 weeks of age or older. What if my pet contracts leptospirosis before being vaccinated? The severity of leptospir osis varies. Some pets recover with antibiotics and supportive care, while others may require intensive treatment, including: IV fluids Dialysis Oxygen therapy The disease can damage the liver, kidneys, and respiratory system, making early prevention vital. Symptoms of leptospirosis include: Vomiting Diarrhea Fever Lethargy Decreased appetite Increased thirst and urination Muscle stiffness Weakness or reluctance to move If your dog shows any of these signs, contact your veterinarian promptly. How can I protect my dog from leptospirosis? ✅ Vaccinate annually after the initial two-dose series ✅ Avoid stagnant water (puddles, ponds, ditches, lakes) ✅ Control rodent populations in and around your home ✅ Stay on schedule —if a yearly booster is missed, your dog may need to restart the vaccine series 💡 Remember : Prevention is safer and more cost-effective than treatment. Have Questions? We’d love to hear from you! If you have questions about vaccinations, diseases, or other pet-related topics, email us at susanna@southpawac.com . Your question might be featured in an upcoming blog, our bi-monthly newsletter, or our new FAQ section—coming soon!
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