Kim Cole DVM
Heartworm/Lyme/Erlichia
- Simple blood test completed in office
- Should be conducted annually
- Used to test for Heartworm (a parasite that lives in the right side of the heart and is transmitted to dogs by mosquito bites. If left untreated, it can cause heart failure and death.)
- Used to test for Lyme disease (a tick-borne, immune-mediated inflammatory disease of dogs, horses, and man. Lyme disease can cause lameness, fever, and lethargy, and if left untreated can cause severe kidney failure.)
- Used to test for Erlichia (a rickettsial disease carried by ticks which can cause fever, lethargy, anemia and joint pain)
Fecal
- Stool sample test completed in office. Stool can be brought in by owner or usually a sample can be obtained during the office visit
- Should be conducted annually or any time your pet has a digestive upset
- Used to test for intestinal parasites in dogs and cats
- These include tapeworms, roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms
- These intestinal parasites can cause weight loss, diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, and poor hair coat.
- Most importantly, most of these parasites can be transferred to humans. Small children are especially susceptible. In humans these parasites can cause blindness, skin infections, and digestive problems.
- Strongly recommended in all puppies since 90% are born with intestinal parasites from their mother.
- Since stool samples in cats, especially outside cats, can be difficult to obtain we recommend a general dewormer be given yearly to all cats that hunt rodents.
Intestinal parasites can be transmitted to dogs thru eating feces of wild animals or having contact with other dogs infected with parasites.
CBC Testing In All Pets over Seven Years of Age and All Surgical and Dental Patients
CBC stands for Complete Blood Count. This test can be completed in the office.
- This test identifies the number of red and white blood cells and determines the type of white blood cells present.
- The number of blood cells is important in diagnosing anemia, infections and hydration status as well as many blood cancers.
- Many of these diseases cannot be detected on physical exam only.
Blood Profile Testing in All Pets Over Seven Years of Age and All Surgical and Dental Patients
- This test is used to detect specific enzymes and proteins in the blood stream.
- A variety of profiles can be run right in our office. In certain cases, however, we may recommend the blood be sent to a large lab for analysis.
- These enzymes and proteins correlate directly with organ function.
- This test allows us to detect early stages of kidney and liver disease as well as metabolic diseases.
- Early detection of these diseases allows us to treat and help prevent further damage to these organs.
- This test is especially important in animals that need to be sedated for surgery or a teeth cleaning. By having these results we can make the best choice of which type of anesthesia to use for the procedure.
- This test also measures the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood. This is used to diagnose diabetes.
- The test can also be used to screen for other metabolic diseases such as Addison\’s and Cushing’s.
Urinalysis
- This test is completed in-house to analyze the urine.
- We can use this test to diagnose bladder infections, sometimes bladder cancer, diabetes, liver disease, some blood diseases, kidney disease, and sometimes bladder stones.
- All pets with abnormal urination habits (urinating in strange places, straining to urinate, increased frequency, or blood in the urine) should have this test.
- All pets over the age of 7 should have this test yearly.
Urine Culture
- This test is used to determine which specific bacteria are responsible for a particular urinary tract infection and which antibiotic will kill it best.
- Urine is collected from your pet aseptically (thru a sterile urinary catheter or thru cystocentesis
- The urine sample is sent to a larger laboratory and results are usually availailable in 3-5 days
- This test should be used for all pets with chronic urinary infections or if the infection does not clear up completely with a routine round of antibiotics.
Ear Swab and Cytology
- This test is used in patients with ear infections.
- The test requires that a small amount of ear discharge be placed on a microscope slide and analyzed.
- This test allows us to determine what agent, whether mites, yeast or bacteria, is causing the infection.
- By diagnosing the correct cause, we can properly treat the infection
All pets should have a through physical exam yearly. Many times early detection of diseases can lead to early treatment and a full recovery. Diseases that become chronic and are not treated promptly often lead to a poor prognosis and a poor response to treatment!