We strongly recommend a preliminary laboratory work up on all pets prior to anesthesia.  It is especially important for pets that have not undergone an anesthetic or surgery previously to ensure that their internal organs (especially their liver and kidneys) which clear the body of some of the drugs used for anesthesia, are normal prior to starting the procedure.  It is also valuable to assess whether the pet has adequate numbers of platelets to ensure proper clotting, as well as sufficient red and white blood cells to assure proper oxygenation of tissues during the procedure and speedy, uncomplicated healing afterwards.  It is impossible to do a good assessment of these areas with only a physical examination of a pet.  Testing requires only a small sample of blood taken from the patient on the day of the surgical procedure, with results being available within a few minutes.