At
SBAC we recommend annual blood testing for all of our patients.
Since many pets do not show clinical symptoms of disease until
it is in the advanced stages, monitoring blood values is very
important to detect disease during the early stages. Beginning
routine testing when a pet is young and healthy, enables our
doctors to establish a baseline of values for each pet. This
baseline paired with regular testing allows pets to be monitored
for any changes that may occur from year to year. Since pets age
more rapidly than people, dramatic changes in health can occur
in as little as three to six months. With close monitoring, many
diseases can be detected early, allowing treatment or
therapy to begin earlier, resulting in the pet staying
healthy and happy for a longer period of time.
We
offer two levels of annual blood panels. The Annual Adult Screen
is recommended for pets between one and seven years of age. This
panel includes a comprehensive chemistry panel, a complete blood
cell count, and an intestinal parasite screening. Our Annual
Senior Screen is recommended for pets over seven years of age.
Approximately twenty percent of senior pets who appear healthy
during physical exams have an underlying disease which is only
detectable with an advanced blood panel. For this reason, our
Senior Screens consist of an extensive chemistry profile, two
thyroid function tests, a complete blood cell count, a
urinalysis and an intestinal parasite screening.
The chemistry profile of the annual panels contains tests for
multiple chemical components in the blood serum. These tests
help detect abnormalities involving the liver, kidney, pancreas,
muscle and bone. The CBC, or complete blood cell count, analyzes
the number and type of blood cells present. This test can detect
conditions such as anemia, leukemia, inflammation, infection,
and bleeding disorders. The thyroid function tests help diagnose
hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. A urinalysis elevates kidney
function and aids in diagnosing and monitoring various diseases
and metabolic disturbances throughout the body.
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