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SENIOR PET BLOOD SCREENINGS

Contributed by Dr. Deanna Clark DVM

"Should we really bring Dusty backpacking with us?.” Kevin stated this obvious fact as we both then looked at the brown floppy-eared dog that stared so intently back. I hated the thought of leaving the old man behind. Even though he’d never been backpacking, I knew he would love it. The decision thus remained undecided until the final weeks before the hike. All emotional aspects aside, I decided to answer the question with some scientific reasoning.

Senior health screening is useful in detecting diseases early in animal and human medicine alike. Using diagnostics such as blood work and urinalysis 

   Kevin and Dusty (126 in "dog years")

 

 

 

 along with a thorough physical exam are effective means of obtaining information about the over-all health of the body. These tools can help uncover certain kidney, liver and auto-immune diseases. They may also help to discover certain types of cancer. Of course no one wants to discover that their beloved pet has cancer, but this knowledge is very useful when an apparently healthy pet becomes sick. Prior knowledge of disease helps you determine if a problem is a relapse or a new problem all together. Even if you decide that further testing or treatment isn’t the right answer for your pet and family, certain supplements and diets can really help prolong the quality of your friend’s life. And quality is what we all strive for. Senior blood screening is also useful in deciding what medications your pet can tolerate when common ailments such as arthritis develop. “At first do no harm” is the motto of the veterinary profession, thus before prescribing medications it is useful to have evidence that the body can tolerate them easily. Even when using Rimadyl, which is a safe aspirin – like drug designed for dogs, your pet needs a healthy liver and kidneys to effectively metabolize the drug without damaging the body. As the change of seasons is commonly accompanied by illness, now is a great time to ensure these “off” days are not the side effects of a more serious problem.

I waited anxiously by the computer as the results of Dusty’s tests printed slowly. “Whew,” I sighed a breath of relief. Previously abnormal levels had normalized and I knew Dusty would be with us as we took in the vistas from the peaks of the Wind River Range. Miracle dog as he is, he hiked with us for five strenuous days. Three days into the hike, Dusty showed signs of arthritis, and the blood screening again came in handy as I gave him Rimadyl without trepidation. We didn’t regret bringing Dusty along; he was elated by the snow, excited by the marmots and a bit dismayed at the river crossings, but still did them with gusto. He ate like a champ the entire hike and hasn’t missed a beat since we’ve been back. Even Dusty’s bark sounds stronger! We all came out of The Range a bit battered and sore in physical state, but our souls soared!