No. Blood tests can be grouped as routine tests and special tests. Preparation for these two types of tests is slightly different.

Routine testing provides an overview of an animal’s health and is done in both healthy pets and sick pets . Any visit to the veterinarian could include a routine blood test. By having your pet properly prepared for each visit, you may save valuable time and money by reducing the need for repeat testing.

Special tests are done to investigate or monitor a specific problem. For example, the veterinarian might want to monitor the blood sugar level in a diabetic pet, or to test for drug levels in pet on medication. Proper preparation for “special” tests is essential for accurate results.

Things you can do to prepare your pet for a routine visit to the veterinarian include:

1. Gentle fasting: If possible, do not feed your pet for about 6 hours before your appointment. Fasting helps to clear the blood of lipemia, fat droplets that appear after eating. Lipemia can interfere with some blood tests and make the results difficult to interpret.
2. Keep water available: This is especially important in warm weather. Even mild dehydration may change the test results, so be sure your pet has access to water before your visit to the veterinarian.
3. Avoid exercise and active play just prior to your visit: Physical activity can cause changes in test results, so exercise and active play should be avoided.
4. Minimize stress: This may be difficult if your pet is nervous or frightened, but some suggestions include:

The preparation for a special blood test depends on the test.
For example: –