Regular Examinations

What we do when you bring your pet to visit us for an examination
We check your pets:

• Eyes
• Ears
• Teeth
• Coat
• Heart
• Lymph nodes
• Joints
• Belly
• We may even ask your pet to walk, stand or run.

However, even the most thorough exam can't tell us if everything is healthy on the inside. We may ask to do one, two or perhaps an intricate variety of tests to help us see the whole picture.

Along with the physical examination, we may perform one, two or all of these tests for your pet.

Blood Tests
Blood work, also called a chemistry panel or profile, allows a view of organ function. Different tests are used to evaluate different organs. Discovering small changes early, before signs of illness appear in your pet, can allow us to help you create a proactive plan to protect your pet's health and quality of life.  Some types of blood tests require your pet to fast for 12-24 hours before the exam.

Urine Tests
A urinalysis is an evaluation of your pet's urine. Changes in the acidity and the appearance of cells in the urine can indicate ongoing disease. A urine test may indicate kidney or bladder disease but can also detect other common diseases like diabetes and Cushing's disease.

Fecal Testing
Fecal testing is the evaluation of your pet's feces under a microscope. Common parasites - better known as worms - include roundworms, hookworms and coccidia. While you might not see these worms in your pet's stool, special preparation and testing of the sample will allow us to find worm eggs and larvae, which are sure indicators of a parasite infection.

Thyroid Test
The thyroid gland is a small gland found in the neck. Cats and dogs, and people too, depend on thier thyroid gland to control their metabolism and maintain good health as well as control how sensitive the body is to other hormones. As cats age, they become more likely to develop hyperthyroidism, or "overactive thyroid"; the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. This can result in weight loss, loss of condition, heart disease and kidney disease. Dogs tend to become hypothyroid or "underactive thyroid"; the thyroid gland isn't able to produce enough thyroid hormone to maintain a normal metabolic rate. These dogs gain weight and often their coats start to become thin and dry. Serious medical concerns can arise if either of these conditions is left untreated.

Pets age differently than Humans
Our pets age much faster than we do. Cats and dogs go through the terrible twos and may even enter their teens before they are 12 months of age! Visiting your veterinarian annually is the equivalent of you going to the doctor just once every five to ten years. This is why many veterinarians recommend regular exams every six months.

Call us today to set dates for your pets' examinations