Pre-Op blood work is not always the same. They did the Pre-op blood work for my Jack Russell Candy, before her spay, at the vet's office but had to send off for the testing done on Ben, my yorkie, before his neutering as the doc wanted additional testing done. Ben's bloodwork also cost twice as much. Older dogs getting pre-op blood work done need a geriatric panel -- it also contains a Thyroid panel. But the usual tests done pre-op are to test for health of the internal organs -- heart, pancreas & liver function tests (like ALT, AST), kidney function tests (like BUN, creatinine), immune system, glucose level, clotting factor, total blood protein, electrolytes, and CBC (complete blood count) checking for anemia and infection, among other things.
Maybe it was a difference of having a Basic metabolic Panel or a Comprehensive Metabolic Panel in addition to the CBC? I did not get to see Ben's itemized tests. I think I will ask for a copy next visit -- then I'll know the difference for sure.
You can see how important these tests might be! Going under anesthesia may still be possible even with abnormal pre-op blood work, but sometimes additional precautions need to be taken. The pre-op blood work may also identify an unknow condition that would preclude the surgery and/or require immediate treatment. Yo can imagine how important it would be to know if there was a clotting problem before starting surgery!
I will be interested to hear what others think about the "Porphyromonas" -- my vet has not even offered them. I only have one with dental problems, Ben. I might be very interested in this vaccine for him!
http://www.doglogic.com/vaccination.htm For Dr. Dodds Vaccine Protocols