A wellness exam provides real answers to your pet’s overall health · A Wellness Exam includes laboratory tests your veterinarian can use to diagnose blood disorders, kidney and liver diseases, diabetes, infection, cancer, thyroid disease and other hormonal problems. Many of these conditions can be prevented, controlled, or completely reversed if diagnosed early.

There are six types of basic test your veterinarian will use to evaluate wellness. Each one provides a wealth of information concerning the true health of your pet.”

1. ECG (Electrocardiogram) (Included)

This detects the functionality of the heart by determining if the neurologic impulses are normal within the heart which can affect all organs of the body. If the organs don’t receive blood efficiently (nutrition), they will deteriorate.

2. Complete Blood Count (CBC) (Included)

The CBC tests for anemia, infection, inflammation and overall healthiness of the blood cells. It also evaluates the number and type of cells in circulation. White Blood Cells (WBC’s), help fight infection or inflammation. Red Blood Cells (RBC’s), carry oxygen to the tissues.

3. Chemistry Tests (Included)

The chemistry panel surveys many of the organ systems of the body to make sure they are working normally.

Chemistry Tests

Liver

Kidney

Pancreas

Muscle and Bone

4. Thyroid Function Tests (Included)

   As the name implies, these tests are useful in diagnosing malfunctions of the thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism (too little thyroid hormone) is common in dogs; whereas hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone) is common in old cats. Because there is no single thyroid test that can diagnose all thyroid disease in animals, a panel of several different thyroid tests are used to ensure proper diagnosis.

5. Urinalysis (Included)

   This assesses the health and function of the urinary system. It is especially important in order animals to help in early detection of kidney disease. While some serum chemistries help evaluate kidney function (BUN, Creatinine, etc.), much more information is obtained when a urinalysis is done at the same time. The urine sample is tested for several chemical components (glucose, protein, blood and more), as well as any cells (WBC, RBC, epithelial, etc.) and crystals.”

6. Parasite Exams (Not Included)

   Fecal

   A sample of stool is examined to look for internal parasites.

   There are 14 routine parasites we see in this area of the country. Three of them can be observed with your eyes and you should watch for those. The rest are microscopic and cannot be seen without the use of a microscope.

   No medication kills more than three or four parasites at one time. Thus, it is necessary to do a yearly fecal exam as recommended by the CDC (Communical Disease Center) in Atlanta, Georgia. All internal parasites are communicable to people. It is also recommended by the CDC that you should wash your hands after handling your animals prior to eating. All internal parasites can be passed from your pet to you.

   Blood (Heartworm test)

   Serum is tested for the presence of heartworm on an annual basis. Whole blood can also be examined in anemic animals for other parasites, such as Babesia, Hemobartonella, or Cytauxzoon.