Lab Work at Vet vs Outside Lab--Is There a Difference?

[Cat Ma]

What is the difference between having lab work done at the vet versus having the vet send it to an outside lab? Are results sent out more thorough than the results obtained in a half hour at the vet?

 

[Squalliesmom]

I might be wrong about this, but my thinking is that an outside lab probably has the capabilities and the equipment to do more extensive testing than your vet would have. Just a guess.

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

It also depends on the kind of testing they're doing....Most vets can't keep every gadget around to measure everything they test for, so it's better to send to an outside lab that has all the necessary equipment

 

[Larry and Kitties]

Typically sent-out bloodwork (BW) costs less and is usually more accurate.
Also, there are more tests available for sent-out BW