Our pets are now living longer, thanks primarily to advances in veterinary medical care and to owners who are better informed about their pet’s health. Thus, there has been an increased need for us at Animal Health Center to provide more comprehensive routine health evaluations for our senior pets.                                                                                                                                                        

Our pets are very important to us, as they provide us with companionship and unconditional love. As pet owners ourselves, we at Animal Health Center are dedicated to helping our pets live longer with the best possible quality of life. As a result, we have designed a comprehensive wellness program for our senior pets. The fact that our pets age more rapidly than we do allows diseases and other health problems to develop more rapidly. The best defense against these health problems are awareness and prevention. If we can spot the warning signs early on, we can help ensure our pet a smooth transition from their adult years to their senior years. These are just a few of the preventative tests we recommend to keep your senior companion healthy and happy.


 

 Senior Health Exam - Scheduling semi-annual senior health examinations is one of the most important steps pet owners can take to keep their senior pets in tip-top shape. This includes examining many of the body systems such as the cardiovascular (heart) and neurologic (brain) systems as well as evaluating weight, nutrition, coat and body condition. Semi-annual senior health examinations are vital to early disease detection. During the senior health exam, your veterinarian will ask you a series of questions regarding any changes in your pet’s activity and behavior. These questions will asssist your veterinarian in establishing a senior care plan that is right for your pet.

  
Laboratory Testing - Veterinarians depend on laboratory results to help them understand the status of your pet’s health. The test will include:

Complete Blood Count - This common test measures the number of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets in a given sample of blood. The numbers and types of these cells give the veterinarian information needed to help diagnose anemia, infections and leukemia.
Urinalysis - Laboratory analysis of urine is a tool used to detect the presence of one or more specific substances that normally do not appear in urine, such as protein, sugar, white blood cells or blood. Urinalysis can assist the veterinarian in the diagnosis of urinary-tract infections, diabetes, dehydration, kidney problems and many other conditions.
Blood-chemistry panel -  Blood-chemistry panels measure electrolytes, enzymes and chemical elements such as calcium and phosphorous. This information helps your veterinarian determine how various organs, such as the kidneys, pancreas, and liver, are currently functioning.
Thyroid Testing - A thyroid gland that is not functioning properly may not be producing hormones that are vital to maintaining normal growth and metabolism, or it may be producing too much hormone. Your veterinarian will measure the hormone concentrations in the thyroid gland to determine if your pet’s thyroid is functioning properly.




Chest Radiographs - This will help to make sure the heart is of normal size, show any masses in the chest cavity, abnormal growths on bone disks, and disk abnormalities.







Blood Pressure - Just like us, pets should have their blood pressure monitored on a regular basis. Abnormal blood pressure can indicate heart, kidney, or other metabolic diseases.

Glaucoma Testing - Glaucoma is defined as an increase in pressure in the eye with a loss of vision.  The signs of glaucoma include: redness, cloudy eye, tearing, loss of vision, an enlarged eyeball, lethargy, and loss of appetite.  The disease is quite painful in most cases, especially when the eye pressure is elevated.