06/01/2026
Erika and Koda outside for a urine sample to go out with his Senior Bloodwork.
•Running a urinalysis alongside a senior blood panel is crucial because blood and urine tell two different parts of the same story. While bloodwork identifies metabolic and systemic issues, urine testing provides critical information about kidney concentrating ability, urinary disease, and early-stage metabolic conditions.
•Blood tests (like BUN and creatinine) measure waste products the kidneys filter out. However, a urine test measures urine concentration. If the kidneys are failing, they lose the ability to concentrate urine before blood values even show abnormal spikes.
•A blood panel shows glucose levels, but stress from a vet visit can temporarily spike blood sugar in dogs. A urinalysis confirms whether glucose is spilling over into the urine, which is a sign of diabetes.
•A urinalysis can reveal bacteria, white blood cells, or crystals long before a dog shows outward symptoms of pain or discomfort. Urinalysis can also identify protein loss, or blood that may indicate bladder stones or even urinary cancers.
Call to schedule your pet for their annual visit with bloodwork!
