Complete Guide to Routine Pet Health Tests

Keeping your pet healthy and happy is about more than just caring for them with love and devotion. Regular health screenings at Guelph animal hospital can ensure that any problems are caught early while keeping your four-legged friend in the best possible shape. Our complete guide will explain the routine health screenings every pet owner should be doing, what they include, and why they matter.

Why Is It Important to Do Regular Health Screening?

Regular checkups and screening tests can spot disease early, when it is easiest to treat or before it develops. Veterinarians can often treat these issues more effectively when they are caught early, potentially extending your pet’s life and improving their quality of life.

Physical Examination

The physical examination can help identify and diagnose detectable signs of disease- including lumps, skin conditions, dental problems, or abnormalities in the eyes ears, and mouth.

Blood Tests

This test may identify the presence of infections, anemia, diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, and other systemic conditions. It helps in identifying diseases that cannot be detected by a mere physical examination so they are very important.

Urinalysis

Your doctor can use urine tests to see if you have a urinary tract infection, kidney disease, diabetes, and liver problems. It helps with understanding the hydration status of your pet as well as their kidney function.

Fecal Examination

The lab will analyze your stool sample to test for parasites that cause infection or inflammation and harmful bacteria that could contribute to dysfunction in the gastrointestinal system. If we can identify and treat Intestinal

X-rays and Ultrasounds

These are a series of imaging techniques that give vets a look inside your pet. X-rays can pick up fractures, tumors, and heart or lung problems. Ultrasounds are used to look at soft tissues and organs, allowing for the diagnosis of cancers or tumors, cysts, and organ malformations.

Dental Examination

An inspection of your pet’s teeth and gums is often sedated or under anesthesia. Dental disease is prevalent in pets, causing pain, the loss of teeth, and infections throughout the body. Regular check-ups can help keep the oral issues at bay, thereby preventing any severe complications.

Regular health screenings are part of being a good pet owner. These plans offer a proactive course to your pet’s health; enabling the early identification and treatment of potential problems. Once you understand and agree to have routine screenings done, you will be able to help your pet live longer. Please speak to your veterinarian about the optimal screening schedule for your pet and their situation.