Your doctor has recommended a yearly panel of tests to ensure the optimum health of your pet. While a regular comprehensive physical examination is vital to maintaining ideal health, the older pet has additional needs which should be addressed through laboratory testing. In general, pets arc considered to be senior by age 7. This is the equivalent of a 44-56 year old person, and with proper care and nutrition this can still be a period of excellent health. You are doubtless aware that age 40 is considered by many to be the beginning of "middle-age" in humans and is certainly a time for increased devotion to diet, exercise, and healthcarc testing. Please take the time to discuss issues of nutrition, exercise, and regular health maintenance with your veterinarian.
For older patients who arc believed to be in good health, we recommend the following on a yearly basis:
Complete Blood Count:--The "CBC" tests for anemia, infection, inflammation, certain types of cancer, and the healthiness of the blood cells.
Blood Chemistry Analysis:--This panel looks at the health of the major organ systems. Early changes can be detected in the liver, kidneys, pancreas, adrenal glands, as well as abnormalities in the electrolytes.
Thyroid Testing:--Both decreased and increased thyroid function will be detected through this test. The thyroid is a frequently affected gland in the body and contributes significantly to overall health. If caught early, most thyroid abnormalities are readily treatable.
Urinalysis:--The urine is a very sensitive indicator of disease, and changes representative of kidney disease, diabetes, adrenal dysfunction and many other abnormalities can be detected through testing of urine.
Schirmer Tear Test:--This simple test is used to detect decreased tear production, which is a common part of aging. If you have noted irritation of the eyes, redness in the white of the eye (conjunctiva), or regular discharge from both eyes, your pet may have "keratitis sicca" or dry eye.
Screening EKG:--This screening test determines heart rate and rhythm and is a very sensitive indicator of early heart disease.
Because these are bundled services they are much less expensive than they would be if offered separately. Unfortunately we arc only able to offer these packaged services to older dogs as a yearly screening tool, not as diagnostic tests once disease has manifest. Consider them as inexpensive insurance against the many changes that come with aging.
Full Geriatric Screen (including Sample Collection):
Call us at 375-0251 for special pricing
