Contact Us | Desert Forest Animal HospitalWhen your dog or cat is sick, injured, or experiencing unexplained changes, diagnostic testing can help your veterinarian understand what is happening beneath the surface. Desert Forest Animal Hospital provides pet diagnostics and in-house blood work in Cave Creek to help identify health concerns, monitor ongoing conditions, and guide treatment decisions.
Our veterinary team combines laboratory testing with a thorough physical examination and your pet’s medical history. We explain why each test is recommended, review the findings with you, and use the results to create an individualized care plan.
Call (480) 488-2010 to schedule an appointment for your pet.
Pets cannot tell us exactly where they hurt or how long they have felt unwell. Some medical conditions also cause few noticeable symptoms during their early stages.
Diagnostic testing gives our veterinarians important information that may not be available through a physical examination alone. Depending on your pet’s age, symptoms, and medical history, testing may help us:
Not every pet needs the same tests. Your veterinarian will recommend only the diagnostics that are appropriate for your pet’s individual needs.
Desert Forest Animal Hospital has an in-house laboratory that allows our veterinary team to process many commonly recommended blood tests without sending every sample to an outside laboratory.
Faster access to results can be particularly valuable when a pet is ill, needs urgent evaluation, or is being assessed before a procedure. Once the results are available, our veterinarian will explain what they mean and discuss any recommended next steps.
A complete blood count, commonly called a CBC, evaluates the cells circulating in your pet’s blood.
A CBC provides information about:
Abnormal results do not always provide a final diagnosis by themselves, but they can help identify concerns and determine whether additional evaluation is needed.
A blood chemistry panel measures substances in your pet’s bloodstream that provide information about organ function and overall health.
Depending on the panel selected, it may help our veterinarian evaluate:
Your veterinarian will interpret the results alongside your pet’s physical examination, symptoms, medications, age, and medical history.
Veterinary diagnostics may be recommended during both routine and problem-focused appointments.
Common reasons include:
Contact our office promptly when your pet develops sudden, severe, or rapidly worsening symptoms. Our team can help determine the appropriate next step.
Blood work is not limited to pets that are visibly sick. Routine testing may reveal subtle changes before a dog or cat begins showing obvious symptoms.
Testing can also establish your pet’s normal baseline. If their health changes later, our veterinarian can compare new results with previous values rather than relying only on a general reference range.
Healthy-pet blood work may be discussed during:
The appropriate testing schedule depends on your pet’s species, breed, age, lifestyle, medications, and overall health.
As pets age, they become more likely to develop changes involving the kidneys, liver, thyroid, blood sugar, mobility, and other body systems.
Senior pets may benefit from more frequent examinations and diagnostic monitoring, even when they appear healthy at home. Identifying changes early can give you and your veterinarian more options for treatment, nutrition, medication, or supportive care.
Our team will recommend a personalized screening plan based on your senior pet’s age, health history, and current needs.
Some health concerns cannot be fully evaluated with blood work alone. Desert Forest Animal Hospital also provides in-house digital X-rays through our veterinary radiology service.
X-rays may help evaluate your pet’s:
Blood work and diagnostic imaging often provide different but complementary information. Your veterinarian will explain which tests are appropriate and whether additional consultation or imaging is recommended.
Your veterinarian will begin by discussing your concerns and reviewing your pet’s symptoms, medications, diet, lifestyle, and medical history.
After performing a physical examination, we will explain:
A blood sample is typically collected from a vein by a trained member of our veterinary team. The process is usually brief. We use gentle handling techniques and take your pet’s comfort into consideration throughout the visit.
Dr. Quinn Bauer is a Fear Free Certified veterinarian and uses low-stress techniques designed to reduce fear, anxiety, and stress during veterinary care.
A laboratory result marked outside the reference range does not always mean that your pet has a serious disease. Mild changes can sometimes be influenced by age, hydration, stress, medications, or other factors.
Our veterinarian will interpret the entire picture rather than focusing on one number in isolation. Depending on the results, we may recommend:
We will explain the findings in clear language and answer your questions before developing a treatment plan.
Pet owners in Cave Creek, Carefree, Tatum Ranch, Desert Hills, and nearby North Valley communities choose Desert Forest Animal Hospital for personalized veterinary care close to home.
Our diagnostic services include:
Our goal is not simply to run tests. It is to use the right diagnostic information to make thoughtful decisions about your pet’s health.
Some health conditions develop gradually and may not cause visible symptoms at first. Routine blood work can help establish a baseline and identify changes that may deserve monitoring or additional evaluation.
Many routine tests can be processed through our in-house laboratory. Timing depends on the specific test and your pet’s condition. Our team will tell you when to expect results and contact you when they are ready for review.
Some tests are more accurate when a pet has not eaten for a specific period. Other tests do not require fasting. Follow the instructions provided by our veterinary team and do not withhold food from a young, diabetic, ill, or medically fragile pet unless instructed to do so.
The appropriate schedule depends on your pet’s age, species, health history, medications, and current condition. Our veterinarian may recommend testing during routine senior wellness visits or more frequently when monitoring an ongoing concern.
Blood work and X-rays are separate diagnostic tools. Your veterinarian may recommend one or both depending on your pet’s symptoms and examination findings. We will discuss recommendations and costs before proceeding.
Pre-anesthetic blood work may be recommended to assess your pet’s overall health and identify concerns that could affect anesthesia or the surgical plan. The specific testing will depend on the procedure, age, and health of your pet.
When your pet needs answers, timely diagnostic testing can help our veterinary team determine the most appropriate next step.
Contact Desert Forest Animal Hospital for pet diagnostics, blood work, or digital X-rays in Cave Creek.
Call (480) 488-2010 or request an appointment online.
Desert Forest Animal Hospital
6554 E Cave Creek Road
Cave Creek, AZ 85331
Medically reviewed by Bryan Hayter, DVM
Last reviewed: July 2026
