Pet Blood Work & Lab Testing in Lakewood, Dallas, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Lakewood is a vet in Lakewood, East Dallas, with an in-house lab for blood, urine and stool tests. Many results come back while you wait, so the vet can explain them and start treatment in the same visit.

Blood work shows what an exam can't. It checks the organs, blood cells and body chemistry that you can't see from the outside. It's also one of the simplest ways to catch a problem early, while it is easier to treat.

Call (682) 339-7822 or book online. Same-day visits are often open.

Why would my vet suggest blood work?

There are three main reasons:

• To find the cause of a problem. A pet who is drinking more, losing weight, vomiting or tired may have a kidney, liver, thyroid or blood sugar issue.

• Before anesthesia. Blood work helps the vet plan a safe surgery or dental cleaning.

• To set a baseline. Normal results from a healthy year make it easier to spot change later.

Older cats are the group where this matters most. Across Petfolk, senior cats are about twice as likely as younger adult cats to get blood work at a wellness visit (34% vs 18%, Oct 1, 2025 to Sep 30, 2026). Cats hide illness well, and kidney and thyroid changes often show up in the lab before they show up at home. See senior pet care in Lakewood.

What does the lab check?

The most common tests are:

• Complete blood count (CBC): red cells for anemia, white cells for infection or inflammation, platelets for clotting

• Chemistry panel: kidney and liver values, blood sugar, protein and electrolytes

• Thyroid level: often added for older cats

• Urinalysis: kidney function, crystals, infection and diabetes clues

• Heartworm and tick-borne disease test: a quick blood test for dogs

• Stool test: worms and other parasites

Labs were super quick and the staff is really nice.

Heather R., Google review

Do I have to wait days for results?

Usually not. Many tests run in the clinic, so results are often ready during the same visit. A few specialty tests go to an outside lab and take a day or more. The team will tell you which is which and how you'll hear back.

How should my pet prepare?

For many tests, there is nothing to do. For a chemistry panel, the vet may ask you to skip your pet's breakfast, since a recent meal can change some values. Keep water out as usual unless told otherwise. If you're bringing a urine sample, use a clean container and bring it within a few hours.

Gentle handling makes the blood draw easy for most pets. The team uses treats, a calm room and as little restraint as possible. Fear Free methods are used at every Petfolk clinic.

Cost and choices

The vet will explain which tests matter most today and which can wait. You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit. If you're on a budget, say so. The vet can often start with a smaller panel.

Reading the results with you

The vet goes through each result in plain words. A value slightly out of range doesn't always mean something is wrong. What matters is the full picture: your pet's signs, the exam and how the numbers change over time. You'll get a copy of the results for your records.

Tracking numbers over time

For pets on long-term medicine, lab tests are also how the vet keeps the dose safe. Dogs on some arthritis drugs and cats on thyroid medicine need a recheck panel every few months. The same goes for pets with kidney disease or diabetes. Comparing each result to the last one shows whether the plan is working. If you moved to East Dallas from another city, bring your old lab results. The vet can line them up with the new ones instead of starting from scratch.

When lab work isn't the first step

If your pet collapses, has pale gums, can't breathe well or is bleeding and it won't stop, skip the clinic and go to a 24-hour emergency hospital. In Lower Greenville, Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) at 4500 North Central Expressway, Dallas, TX 75206, is open 24 hours.

Book a visit at Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Lakewood, or see all veterinary services in Lakewood.