Important Facts About Senior Wellness Testing

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 Senior Wellness Testing is to maintain health and prevent illness during your pet's senior years by promoting early detection and treatment of illness.

We can determine what your pet's normal baseline health values are by running a Health Profile: a Complete Chemistry and Electrolyte Panel, Complete Blood Count, Chest X-ray, Thyroid Panel, Urinalysis, EKG, Glaucoma Check and Blood Pressure. These baseline results will help 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 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.


Who Should Take Part In Senior Testing?

Senior Wellness Testing is recommend for all senior pets as well as any pet who is exhibiting one or more symptoms: weight loss or gain, increased thirst or urination, lethargy, vomiting/diarrhea, poor haircoat, coughing, seizures, unusual behavior (i.e., a pet that's "just not himself).


Is Your Pet A Senior?

The age at which a pet enters its senior years varies by species and size. Below are ages at which pets are considered to begin their senior years:

Your pet may seem healthy well into its senior years. Nonetheless, there are many problems common to senior pets (like kidney or heart failure) that may not present symptoms until your pet becomes tragically ill. A comprehensive senior program helps your veterinarian to identify problems early enough to institute preventative health care measures.


What Is The Senior Wellness Test?

Your pet's Complete Senior Screening should include a physical exam, complete blood chemistry test (including electrolytes), complete blood count, urinalysis, chest X-ray, thyroid panel, electrocardiogram (EKG), glaucoma check and blood pressure.

Blood Chemistry Tests are used to measure levels or various substances in the blood. These tests are used to diagnose disease in the body's organs.

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

A Urinalysis provides information of kidney and bladder function.

A Chest x-ray evaluates tile lungs and heart for congestion and heart enlargement.

The Thyroid Panel (T4) helps to diagnose thyroid disease, an especially common ailment in geriatric dogs and cats.

The Electrocardiogram (EKG) measures the electrical activity of the heart. Heart disease is a common ailment of older dogs and cats.

A Glaucoma Check measures the pressure inside the eye. This allows for early detection of glaucoma, which if undiscovered, leads to irreversible blindness.

Blood Pressure measurements can diagnose hypertension which can cause blindness and kidney failure.


How Do I Arrange For My Pet To Take Part In The Senior Testing Program?

American Animal Hospital will be offering Senior Wellness Testing for your pet at a special low rate. You and your pet can take part in this valuable disease prevention program simply by calling our office and setting up an appointment time that is convenient for you.

Food should be withheld from your pet the morning of his/her appointment. A urine sample may be submitted in a clean glass jar. We prefer the "first catch of the day." If you are unable to collect a sample at home, we can do so in the hospital. We will need a few hours to complete the blood work, the lab work, the EKG, and the chest X-ray.

All laboratory work will be performed during the morning and your doctor will review the results with you at a scheduled appointment time in the afternoon.

You may also consider having an ultrasonic dental cleaning while your pet is in the hospital. All laboratory work would be done prior to the dental cleaning. If tests revealed any medical problem, anesthesia would not be administered and the dental procedure postponed.


Select Your Senior Package!

Package #1
Complete Senior Health Profile: Includes electrolytes, Thyroid Panel (T4), EKG, Glaucoma Check, Blood Pressure Measurement, Fecal examination, Heartworm test, and comprehensive veterinary consultation.

Normal Cost: $517.53
Package Price: $249.

Package #2
Complete Senior Health Profile: Package #1 plus Ultrasonic Dental Scaling. Price includes anesthesia, Hospitalization, antibiotics, and premeds. Any extractions will cost more.

Normal Cost: $684.15
Package Price: $359


Give The Gift Of Health For Any Occasion!

A Gift Certificate for a Senior Screening makes an excellent gift for your favorite pet lover. You can purchase a certificate over the phone (via credit card) or by stopping in at American Animal Hospital.