The Importance of Annual Bloodwork

23% of all pets that appear healthy at the time of a physical examination have an underlying health problem that can only be detected by a diagnostic blood test.

We recommend an annual panel to evaluate the true health status of your pet.

This test includes:

• A complete blood count (CBC) white and red blood cell counts to detect bacterial infections and anemia.
• A complete chemistry panel for evaluation of organ system functions to detect liver and kidney dysfunction and rule out pancreatitis.
• A thyroid test to detect hypothyroidism in dogs and hyperthyroidism in cats.
• A urinalysis to evaluate overall kidney functions.
• A fecal test to evaluate for presence of intestinal parasites that can be harmful to both you and your pet.
• Heartworm test to confirm the presence of adult heartworms that can cause death to your pet if gone untreated.

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Accident Prevention 101

It's unfortunate, but emergencies happen.  Pets get injured, become ill, and eat things they shouldn't.  Still, many accidents can be avoided simply by taking some precautions.  While the following tips might appear to be common sense, they help prevent some of the most frequent accidents that send pets to veterinary emergency rooms.

Pet-proof your home and outdoor environment

Make sure your pet doesn't have access to electrical cords, open windows, high balconies or walkways, sharp lawn edging or jagged rocks, garbage, household toxins, or over-the-counter or prescription medications.  When outdoors, take care that your pet is allowed to run loose only in an area that is fenced-in, without holes and potential escape routes.  When out for a walk, keep your pet on a leash at all times.

Cook with caution

It's no surprise that cats and dogs may want to join you in the kitchen or at the table, but take care when cooking or feeding your pet table scraps.  Besides the fact that too much people food can add inches to your pet's waist, some people foods are toxic to pets.  Specifically, avoid giving your pets fatty meats, chocolate, grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, and onions, because they can be dangerous and even deadly in certain amounts.

Be seasonally smart

When the weather is warm, make sure you provide your pet with shade and plenty of fresh water to avoid heat exhaustion and any associated illnesses.  In the winter months, make sure your cats and dogs have access to a water supply that won't freeze and a shelter that's warm and dry to prevent hypothermia and frostbite.



From Healthy Pet Magazine



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