Why Routine Bloodwork Matters More Than You Think

In this episode of Tails from the Lab, Drs. Holly and Brad explore one of the most overlooked tools in preventive veterinary care: wellness lab data. Together, they unpack why routine bloodwork is so meaningful and how it can guide early intervention and better outcomes throughout a pet’s life.

This episode covers:

• How population-based reference intervals are created and what causes them to miss subtle but important changes
• Why scanning for “red” results isn’t enough to catch disease early
• The critical role of baseline data in identifying trends before clinical signs appear
• What key studies reveal about the value of wellness testing — including that 1 in 7 seemingly healthy adult pets show actionable abnormalities
• How establishing “normal” for each individual patient leads to more accurate, timely diagnoses

Through real-world examples and expert insights, Drs. Holly and Brad reframe how veterinarians should approach preventive diagnostics through investment in long-term baseline data—and how this investment improves your ability to make confident, informed decisions when it matters most.

Tails from the Lab is a production of Antech Diagnostics. The intent of this podcast is to provide education and guidance with the understanding that any diagnostic testing and treatment decisions are ultimately at the discretion of the attending veterinarian within the established veterinarian-patient-client relationship.