|
Mature Pet Checks for Dogs
“A stitch in time saves nine!”
Regular thorough health checks are vital for the early detection of disease in older pets. We all know a friend or relative who has survived cancer simply because it was detected early enough to be treated effectively.
Pets age much more quickly than we do, reaching middle age at 6-8 years of age. Large breed dogs age fastest; cats and small dogs age more slowly. Prevention or early detection of problems will enable you to assist your pet to lead a happy, healthy life for longer. Screening tests allow us to detect many diseases before the signs are physically obvious.
We offer three levels of Mature Pet Checks for Dogs
Level 1
The physical exam assesses important 'quality of life' issues such as oral health, mobility, eye, ear and skin problems. Heart and lungs are checked, and the abdomen palpated, checking for masses and any abnormalities. Any skin lumps need to be identified, measured and recorded on a tumour map. We will help you check for early signs of cognitive dysfunction – often known as Catzheimers.
The Complete Blood Count (CBC) can detect such things as chronic blood loss, hidden infections, and some cancers.
Other blood tests (Biochemistry panel) detect abnormalities in kidney and liver function, blood proteins, minerals and glucose.
Urine tests (urinalysis) check for kidney abnormalities, chronic inflammatory conditions, diabetes, bladder stones, and infections.
Blood pressure changes give important information about kidney disease, thyroid function, heart disease and more.
As a package this costs just $163.80, saving $30 on the unbundled price of the components.
Level 2 - All the above plus:
Ultrasound scan of the abdomen to detect changes in abdominal organs is very useful in the dog. (Cats are so small we can usually detect changes in the abdomen by feel). Although this is not at all painful (think pregnancy scan), a sedative is given so that your pet is completely relaxed. A window of hair is clipped to allow clear ultrasound imaging.
Fundoscopy detects retinal atrophy, common in many breed of dogs, as well as other problems.
As a package this costs $397.60, saving $30 on the unbundled price of the components.
Level 3 – All the above plus:
Two chest X-rays to thoroughly evaluate heart and lung changes. If your pet has specific mobility problems e.g in hip, knee or elbow further X-rays can be added at $20 per view.
As a package pay just $450.60, saving $80
Note that your pet's annual vaccination includes a physical exam, so there is a further discount of nearly $50.00 if the Mature Pet Check is done at the time of vaccination.
|
Level
|
Unbundled Cost
|
Package Cost
|
Savings
|
Cost if done with Vaccination
|
Total Savings
|
|
Level 1
|
$193.80 |
$163.80 |
$30.00 |
$112.90 + vax |
$80.90 |
|
Level 2
|
$427.60 |
$397.60 |
$30.00 |
$346.70 + vax |
$80.90 |
|
Level 3
|
$530.60 |
$450.60 |
$80.00 |
$399.70 + vax |
$130.90 |
Why the biggest savings on Level 3? The more information we have, the easier it is for us to get the right answer quickly. It's the best for your pet. We like that!
For More information about the benefits and value to your special friends click on the links below.
http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/aging2.html
http://www.healthypet.com/library_view.aspx?id=148
Mature Pet Checks for Cats
We offer three levels of Mature Pet Checks for Cats
Level 1
The physical exam assesses important 'quality of life' issues such as oral health, mobility, eye, ear and skin problems. Heart and lungs are checked, and the abdomen palpated, checking for masses and any abnormalities. Any skin lumps need to be identified, measured and recorded on a tumour map. We will help you check for early signs of cognitive dysfunction – often known as Catzheimers.
The Complete Blood Count (CBC) can detect such things as chronic blood loss, hidden infections, and some cancers.
Other blood tests (Biochemistry panel) detect abnormalities in kidney and liver function, blood proteins, minerals and glucose.
Urine tests (urinalysis) check for kidney abnormalities, chronic inflammatory conditions, diabetes, bladder stones, and infections.
Blood pressure changes give important information about kidney disease, thyroid function, heart disease and more.
As a package this costs just $163.80, saving $30 on the unbundled price of the components.
Level 2 - All the above plus:
Thyroid hormone testing to check for overactive thyroid function due to a tumour. This is quite common in older cats
Electrolyte (body salt) levels are measured since abnormalities are also quite common in older cats, causing poor appetite, weight loss, muscle weakness and more.
Fundoscopy (examination of the retinas) is included since changes can signal disease in other parts of the body.
As a package Level 1 plus 2 costs $325.20, saving $30 on the unbundled price of the components.
Level 3 - All the above plus:
Whole body X-ray - “catagram”. This helps detect skeletal changes such as loss of bone mineral, arthritis of the spine and joints, as well as heart and lung changes.
As a package pay just $346.60, saving a massive $75.40 on the unbundled price of the components.
Note that your pet's annual vaccination includes a physical exam, so there is a further discount of nearly $50.00 if the Mature Pet Check is done at the time of vaccination.
|
Level
|
Unbundled Cost
|
Package Cost
|
Package Savings
|
Cost if done at Vaccination
|
Total Savings
|
|
Level 1
|
$193.80 |
$163.80
|
$30.00
|
$112.90 + vax
|
$80.90
|
|
Level 2 |
$355.20
|
$325.20
|
$30.00
|
$247.30 + vax
|
$80.90
|
|
Level 3 |
$422.00 |
$346.60
|
$75.40
|
$295.70 + vax
|
$126.30
|
Why the biggest savings on Level 3? The more information we have, the easier it is for us to get the right answer quickly. It's the best for your pet. We like that!
Arthritis in Cats - Yes It Does Happen!
Recent Studies have shown that many older cats have evidence of arthritis on xrays. Some studies have shown that giving appropriate medication (such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) can improve their ability to jump, groom, and get into and out of their litter boxes. Unfortunately these medications are not suitable for all cats.
Click on the following link to take the test for your cat and rank their mobility score.
Make an appointment for a consultation for your cat today and bring in the completed questionnaire / test to help us meet your pets needs.
 
Tumour Maps
A tumour map is a simple but effective tool for managing skin lumps and bumps in dogs and cats. In dogs 80% of superficial and subcutaneous (under the skin) lumps are benign. Just one out of five are malignant cancers. In cats a far greater proportion are malignant.
How do you know which lumps are dangerous and need to be removed?
The answer is a simple technique called fine needle aspiration (FNA) and cytology. FNA is the process of inserting a fine hypodermic needle into several areas of the lump. This collects a sample of cells which are spread on a glass slide, coloured with special stains that highlight various cell characteristics, and examined with a microscope. We can then determine from the cell type and characteristics whether the lump is a cyst, a benign or a malignant cancer. The malignant cancers need to be removed surgically. The benign lumps are usually only of cosmetic importance and can be left.
As pets age they get more and more lumps. It gets difficult to distinguish which lumps have been previously tested and found to be benign from new lumps which appear.
This is why a tumour map is so important. It records the type, size and location of each mass. Both the pet owners and the clinic keep a copy. That way pet owners can keep note if new lumps appear, and keep a track of any unexpected changes in lumps previously tested. These can then be checked and dangerous lumps can be dealt with at an early stage.
Grandma was right. "A stitch in time does save nine".
At Halifax Veterinary Centre we aim to update tumour maps every six months
|
