Dog Blood Test
Cost UK
Dog blood tests cost £80 to £200 in the UK in 2026. A basic biochemistry and haematology panel costs £80-£120, while a comprehensive screen including thyroid, pancreatic, and infectious disease testing costs £150-£200.
What You Will Pay
| Component | Typical Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic haematology (CBC) | £40 – £60 | Red cells, white cells, platelets |
| Basic biochemistry panel | £50 – £80 | Kidney, liver, glucose, proteins |
| Combined CBC + biochemistry | £80 – £120 | Most common vet blood test |
| Pre-anaesthetic blood screen | £60 – £100 | Required before surgery/anaesthesia |
| Thyroid function (T4) | £40 – £80 | Hypothyroidism screening |
| Comprehensive senior panel | £150 – £200 | All of the above plus urinalysis |
basic panel at an independent practice
combined haematology + biochemistry
comprehensive senior screen with specialist markers
Factors That Affect
the Price
Type of blood panel
A basic haematology count costs £40-£60 while a comprehensive senior panel with thyroid, cortisol, and urinalysis costs £150-£200. Your vet will recommend the appropriate panel based on your dog's age, symptoms, and health status.
In-house vs external lab
Many practices have in-house analysers that provide results in 15-30 minutes. External laboratory tests take 24-48 hours but may be more comprehensive. In-house testing is often slightly more expensive per test but saves on time.
Age and health status
Young healthy dogs undergoing routine surgery may only need a basic pre-anaesthetic screen (£60-£100). Senior dogs (8+) or those with symptoms benefit from comprehensive panels, and vets may recommend biannual testing.
Consultation fees
The blood test price often does not include the consultation fee (£40-£70). If bloods are taken during a routine health check, the consultation is the same price whether or not blood is drawn.
How to Save Money
Ask what tests are actually needed
Not every dog needs a comprehensive panel. A young, healthy dog having a routine neuter may only need a basic pre-anaesthetic screen. Ask your vet which tests are essential vs recommended.
Compare in-house vs lab pricing
Some practices charge less for external lab work than in-house analysers. If results are not urgent, ask whether sending to the lab is cheaper.
Bundle with wellness plans
Many practices offer wellness or health club plans that include annual blood tests at a discounted rate. If your dog needs regular monitoring, these plans can save 15-20%.
Get prescriptions for ongoing medications
If blood tests reveal a condition requiring ongoing medication (thyroid, liver), ask for a prescription and buy medications online at 30-50% savings.
Would insurance have covered this?
On a typical lifetime policy an owner pays the excess (usually £60–£200) and, on some policies, 10–20% of the rest. Pre-existing conditions are never covered, so the time to compare is before something goes wrong.
Compare UK pet insurers side by sideLinks may earn VetCost a commission at no cost to you. Prices shown are "from" figures supplied by insurers; your quote depends on your pet.
Frequently Asked Questions
A basic blood panel (CBC + biochemistry) costs £80-£120 at most UK vets in 2026. Pre-anaesthetic screens cost £60-£100. Comprehensive senior panels with thyroid and additional markers cost £150-£200.
In-house analysers provide results in 15-30 minutes. External laboratory tests take 24-48 hours. For urgent cases, in-house testing is preferred for immediate results.
Blood tests for diagnosing illness are covered by most policies. Routine or wellness blood tests (annual health screens) are usually not covered unless linked to investigating specific symptoms.
Young healthy dogs only need pre-anaesthetic blood work before surgery. Dogs over 7-8 should have annual blood screens. Dogs on long-term medication (e.g., NSAIDs, phenobarbitone) need monitoring every 3-6 months.
Blood tests assess kidney function, liver function, blood sugar, protein levels, red and white blood cell counts, electrolytes, and sometimes thyroid and pancreatic function. They can detect conditions like kidney disease, diabetes, liver disease, and infections.
Compare blood test prices near you
Find local vets offering competitive prices for diagnostic blood work. Compare consultation and testing fees by postcode.