Diagnostic Care
Bloodwork (CBC & Chemistry Panels) in Lincoln, AR
Welcome to Smithers Animal Hospital-Lincoln, where complete blood counts and comprehensive chemistry panels are run in our own in-clinic laboratory, so you get answers about your dog or cat’s health quickly.
Understanding Pet Bloodwork
Blood tests show us what’s happening inside your pet’s body that an exam alone can’t reveal. A complete blood count (CBC) looks at red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets, which helps us spot problems such as anemia, infection and inflammation. A chemistry panel measures substances in the blood that reflect how organs like the kidneys and liver are working, along with blood sugar, proteins and electrolytes.
Some health conditions aren’t obvious during an external examination, and bloodwork helps us find them early, before they become bigger problems. Because our results come back quickly, our veterinarian can give you a diagnosis and start treatment on the same day.
Bloodwork is one part of our in-clinic diagnostics and diagnostic laboratory, which also include heartworm and parasite testing, tick-borne disease testing, urinalysis and more.
What to Expect at Your Pet’s Blood Test
Bloodwork is quick and simple for most pets. Here’s how a typical visit goes:
A Quick Sample
A member of our team draws a small amount of blood, usually from a vein in the leg or neck. Most pets handle it well, and it only takes a few moments. Ask us when you schedule whether your pet should skip a meal beforehand.
Results Here in the Clinic
Our annual tests are performed in-house, so you aren’t left waiting days for answers. Certain specialty tests are sent to outside lab facilities, and we’ll tell you if your pet’s sample is one of them.
Going Over the Numbers Together
Our veterinarian reviews the results with you, explains anything outside the normal range and talks through the next steps if your pet needs treatment.
Tracking Changes Over Time
Each result is added to your pet’s record, so future tests can be compared against what’s normal for your pet, not just against a general reference range.
Why Yearly Bloodwork Matters for Your Pet
We recommend annual blood work profiles for our patients. A yearly profile gives our veterinarian a baseline of what’s normal for your pet and a continuous record to compare against. When a value starts to shift from one year to the next, it can point to an underlying condition early, while there are more options for managing it.
- Early detection of conditions that aren’t obvious during an external exam
- Same-day answers from our in-clinic laboratory, so treatment can start sooner
- A continuous record that helps us spot trends and focus on specific areas of your pet’s health
- Safer anesthesia, since bloodwork is often part of the assessment before surgery
- Support for seniors and chronic conditions, including pets on long-term medications
We recommend an exam every year for healthy pets under the age of 7 and every 6 months for healthy seniors, and bloodwork fits naturally into those physical exams. Ask us about our wellness packages and senior packages.
Schedule Your Pet’s Bloodwork Today
Bloodwork is easy to add to your pet’s annual check-up, or we can schedule it on its own if your pet isn’t feeling well. Our team will help you choose the right time.
Call us at (479) 824-3299 or visit us at 2157 E Pridemore Dr. in Lincoln. We’re open Monday through Thursday 7:30am–5:30pm and Friday 7:30am–5:00pm.
Bloodwork (CBC & Chemistry Panels): Frequently Asked Questions
What does a complete blood count (CBC) tell you about my pet?
A CBC counts and examines your pet’s red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. It can point to anemia, dehydration, infection, inflammation and some blood or clotting disorders. It’s often one of the first tests our veterinarian runs when a pet is sick, and it’s a useful part of routine screening for healthy pets too.
What does a chemistry panel check?
A chemistry panel measures enzymes, proteins, blood sugar, electrolytes and other substances in your pet’s blood. Together, these values help our veterinarian see how organs such as the kidneys and liver are working, and they can reveal conditions like diabetes before your pet shows obvious signs of illness.
How often should my pet have bloodwork?
At Smithers Animal Hospital-Lincoln, we recommend annual blood work profiles. They give our veterinarian a continuous record to spot trends and focus on specific areas of your pet’s health. We also recommend an exam every year for healthy pets under 7 and every 6 months for healthy seniors. Pets with chronic disease may need checking more often.
How quickly will I get my pet’s results?
Complete blood counts and chemistry panels are run in our in-clinic laboratory, and the quick turnaround lets our veterinarian give you a diagnosis and start treatment on the same day. Certain specialty tests are sent to outside lab facilities, so those take longer. We’ll let you know what to expect for your pet.
How do I schedule bloodwork for my pet and what are your hours?
Call us at (479) 824-3299 to set up a visit, or stop by 2157 E Pridemore Dr. in Lincoln. Bloodwork is easy to add to your pet’s annual check-up, or we can schedule it on its own if your pet isn’t feeling well. We’re open Monday through Thursday 7:30am–5:30pm and Friday 7:30am–5:00pm.