Adult Testing

Important Information about Adult Testing

WELLNESS FOR THE ADULT PET

"Dogs and cats are living longer than ever due to advances in veterinary medicine. One of these advances is a trend toward preventative medicine, or keeping pets well rather than focusing on curing illness."

- John V. Hoskins, DVM Ph.D.
School of Veterinary Medicine
Louisiana State University

Just like people, as your pet ages, his or her organs will gradually begin to deteriorate and lose their ability to function. The purpose of Adult Testing is to maintain health and prevent illness during your pet's adult years by promoting early detection and treatment of illness. We can determine what your pet's normal baseline health values are by running a Blood Chemistry and Electrolyte Panel and Complete Blood Count. These baseline results will help your veterinarian to interpret abnormal results later on by providing a point of comparison. After establishing a baseline, we will continue to monitor your pet yearly (perhaps more often depending on your pet's overall health). When health problems do arise, this program will help to identify them early. Early detection often provides you with more effective and less costly treatment options.

Adult Testing is recommended for all adult pets as well as any pet who is exhibiting one or more of the following symptoms: weight loss or gain, poor haircoat, coughing, or unusual behavior.

HOW OLD IS YOUR PET

Your pet may seem healthy throughout its adult life. Nonetheless, there are many problems developing in adult pets (like kidney or heart failure) which may not present symptoms until your pet becomes tragically ill. A comprehensive adult program helps your veterinarian to identify problems early enough to institute preventative health care measures.

Your pet's Complete Adult Screening should include a physical examination, blood chemistry tests (including electrolytes), and complete blood count.

Blood Chemistry Tests are used to measure levels of various substances in the blood. These tests are used to diagnose diabetes, liver failure, and kidney failure.

Hematology Tests (the CBC) provide an inside look at the blood itself. This test helps in the diagnosis of anemia or infection.

Heartworm Test is used to determine if your pet has worms living in the heart or lungs. These worms can get up to 14" long and cause permanent heart damage or death. Heartworm disease is spread by (mosquitoes and can affect both dogs and cats.

Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Tests are used to determine if your cat has been infected with a serious disease similar to the Human Aids Virus.

SELECTING YOUR ADULT PACKAGE

PACKAGE #1
ADULT HEALTH PROFILE:

Includes Blood Chemistries, Heartworm Test
Recommended for dogs and cats up to 6 years of age.

PACKAGE #2
COMPLETE ADULT HEALTH PROFILE:

Package #1 PLUS Complete Blood Count, and Electrolytes Recommended for dogs and cats from 6 years to 9 years of age.

PACKAGE #3

Package #1 or #2 PLUS
Feline Leukemia/ Immunodeficiency Virus Test
Feline Heartworm Test

GIVE THE GIFT OF HEALTH FOR ANY OCCASION!

A Gift Certificate for an Adult Screening makes an excellent gift for your favorite Pet Lover on their birthday or anniversary. You can purchase a certificate over the phone (via credit card) or by stopping in at the Family Animal Hospital.