These baseline results will allow your doctor to compare these results to any abnormal results found at a later date.
 
For pets under 6 years of age, a mini screen would consist of: Complete Blood Count (CBC) Mini-Chemistry (Liver, Kidney, Glucose, Total Protein, and Albumin)
 
After your pet’s baseline has been established, your doctor will continue to monitor these systems with yearly health exams. Health check-ups are recommended every 6 months for pets over 6 years of age. Bi-annual exams allow your doctor to monitor for the development of cataracts, heart murmurs, and abdominal masses that are more common in geriatric pets.
 
Is Senior Wellness Testing Necessary?
Pets age at a much greater rate than people; therefore annual blood testing becomes more critical as our pets reach 5-6 years of age. A large number of diseases that affect our pets can go undetected for years. Early detection through wellness testing prevents disease progression as well as costly veterinary bills.
 
What Does the Wellness Program Entail?
Physical Examination of the mouth, eyes, heart and lung sounds, abdomen, genitals, muscles, skin and hair coat.
 
Comprehensive Chemistry and Electrolyte panels provide diagnostic information that help diagnosis liver and kidney disease, diabetes, etc.
 
Complete Blood Count (CBC) provides information on red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. These counts can indicate the presence of infections, anemia, inflammation, or an inability to fight infection. Platelet counts can also indicate a potential bleeding problem.
 
Thyroid Levels are screened in both our canine and feline friends. In cats, thyroid levels above normal indicate hyperthyroidism. In dogs, levels below normal indicate hypothyroidism. More detailed thyroid testing may be necessary to determine the best course of treatment.
 
Urinalysis is very important in evaluating overall kidney function. This test is necessary even though a urinary tract infection may not be evident and diabetes has already been diagnosed. This test is performed in conjunction with the other blood tests.