AboutJana Connell RVT, CVT Expertise I can answer most questions about small animal and wildlife care as well as small animal nutrition. I can also answer questions about all phases of dental care for small animals. I cannot diagnose diseases nor will I try to. That is only for a licensed Veterinarian to do. I DO NOT do birds (unless it is wildlife or songbirds) or HAMSTERS/GERBILS/CHINS/GUINEA PIGS so please submit these questions to the appropriate sections. I also do not know much about reptiles, so post those to the reptile experts also. Thanks!
Experience I have over 35 years experience in the field of veterinary medicine. I specialized in small animals and did wildlife rehab for over 25 years, mostly raptors, squirrels and opossums. I am a nutritional consultant with 6 certificates from Hills Pet Foods, CNM and Purina.
Organizations Audubon,World Wildlife Federation, American Society of Veterinary Dental Technicians.
Education/Credentials Licensed with California and Oregon, RVT and CVT.
Certified Veterinary Dental Technician
Question QUESTION: Ihave a one year old Chihuahua I had her blood work done on Saturday they called today said her white blood cells are high they said they want to test again in a month what does that mean is there something wrong with my dog and if we wait month so should we wait a month to test again.ps she is in heat does that have anything to do with the white blood cells being to high...........Thanks robin
ANSWER: Higher white blood cells usually indicate an infection. Why was the vet doing blood work on her anyway? There must be a reason and if there is he must have told you why he was pulling blood and running tests?
I can't see why he wouldn't have.
Unless he was doing pre-op blood work for you to get her spayed, I need to know why he was testing her blood. Otherwise I can't even tell you much more than what I did.
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QUESTION: I took her in for her shots and they did the blood work they said it was a part of the package when they get there shots.thats all they said. then they call and said her white blood cell were high.I have 3 other Chihuahuas I also took and they took there blood as well and said they were fine.so to tell you I really do,not know why they tested them she acts fine other then she is in heat....when I call them back they could,not tell me any other then they want to test her again in a month..thanks robin
Answer I can see no reason why they could not tell you why they pulled the blood for a test of that sort. That is not a part of a vaccination package at most vets anywhere!! Sounds like a good way to get money from you without an explanation.
You need to ask questions and then ask for explanations if their answers don't make sense to you. The only blood test they should get when they are vaccinated is a heartworm test, which would not show a white cell count.
Ask WHY a blood test would be a routine thing for a vaccination visit.
If you talked to them about getting her spayed then maybe that is why they did a CBC or whatever they did back there.
I do not think they are being up front with you about the blood tests and why they are pulling them for no reason at all. Blood work isn't cheap and should never be done as a part of a package unless it is to get your dog ready for surgery to spay her or remove a tumor or something of that nature.
Are they going to charge you again for another test you didn't ask for? Why are they not treating her for the white cell count being high?
None of this makes any sense to me.
I think I would call around to other vet hospitals and ask what is going on and if they routinely do blood work at the time of vaccinations.
You might get better answers that way!
I hope you find out what is going on and why.
Please let me know when you do.
