We were very concerned about the cost of Biffy's Wellness Testing
and Geriatric Profile. But, with great relief I can tell you
that it was much less than we thought.
The Geriatric Profile alone, was $75.00. Now, this is for Coastal Maine,
so it will vary from area to area. Yours could be more or less,
depending on where you live.

Please sign my Guestbook and let me know what you think about
Wellness Testing and Geriatric Profiles.

WELLNESS TESTING
FOR THE LIFE OF YOUR PET

Many of the medical technologies that help humans
live longer, healthier lives are now available to your pet.
Your veterinarian can get a wealth of information about
your pet's health with just a few drops of blood.....
thanks to Wellness Testing.

Wellness Testing is recommended for YOUNG and OLD pets.

For the YOUNG and ADULT pets, it gives individual baseline data
that your veterinarian can use later, as a reference for faster,
more accurate diagnosis and treatments.

For the GERIATRIC Pet, it helps to monitor organ degeneration,
check response to medication and to detect diseases
before any symptoms appear.

Test Results serve double duty by providing information
before surgery or dental procedures, allowing for safer anesthesia.

There are two basic kinds of blood tests
your veterinarian will typically use for your pet's wellness screen:
blood chemistry tests and hematology tests.

BLOOD CHEMISTRY TESTS provide an inside look
at your pets vital organs. (see specific tests below)
For example, checking chemistries produced by organs like the
liver and kidneys helps a veterinarian determine whether
these organs are functioning properly.

HEMATOLOGY TESTS provide an inside look at
the blood cells themselves. Three reports are common:

1. The Red Blood Cell analysis,
for monitoring the cells responsible for
carrying oxygen throughout the body.

2. The White Blood Cell analysis,
for checking on the body's primary
means of fighting infection, and

3. The Platelet analysis,
for ensuring that the blood can clot
sufficiently to stop bleeding.

Various combinations of these tests help your veterinarian
chart your pet's long-term health and wellness.

ASK ABOUT WELLNESS TESTING FOR YOUR PET TODAY!

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BLOOD CHEMISTRY TESTS
and the information they provide:

ALBUMIN (ALB) Produced by the liver, reduced levels of this protein
can point to chronic liver or kidney disease,
or parasitic infections such as hookworm.

ALANINE AMINOTRANSFERASE elevated with liver disease.

ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE (ALKP) An enzyme produced by the biliary
tract (liver). Elevated levels can indicate liver disease
or Cushing's syndrome.

AMYLASE (AMYL) The pancreas produces and secretes amylase
to aid in digestion. Elevated blood levels can indicate
pancreatic and/or kidney disease.

BLOOD UREA NITROGEN (BUN) BUN is produced by the liver and
excreted by the kidneys. Testing for it helps to detect liver
and kidney abnormalities.

CALCIUM (CaČ+) Increased levels of this mineral can be an indicator
of certain types of tumors, or parathyroid or kidney disease.

CHOLESTEROL (CHOL) Elevated levels of cholesterol are seen
in a variety of disorders including hypothyroidism and
diseases of the liver or kidney.

CREATININE (CREA) Creatinine is a by-product of
muscle metabolism and is excreted by the kidneys.
Elevated levels can indicate kidney disease
or urinary obstruction.

BLOOD GLUCOSE (GLU) High levels can help in diagnosing diabetes
and can indicate stress, especially in cats.
Low levels can indicate liver disease.

PHOSPHORUS (PHOS) Can be an indicator of kidney disease when elevated.

TOTAL BILIRUBIN (TBIL) A component of bile, bilirubin is secreted
by the liver into the intestinal tract. Blood bilirubin levels are useful
in diagnosing problems in the bile ducts.

TOTAL PROTEIN (TP) The level of TP can suggest a variety of conditions
including dehydration and diseases of the liver, kidney or
gastrointestinal tract.

T4 TEST For diagnosis of hyper/hypothyroidism.

ELECTROLYTES (Sodium, Potassium, Chloride) The balance of these
chemicals is vital to your pet's health. Abnormal levels can be
life threatening. Electrolyte tests are important in evaluating
vomiting, diarrhea and cardiac symptoms.

HEMATOLOGY TESTS
and the information they provide:

HEMATOCRIT (HCT) OR PACKED CELL VOLUME (PCV)
Provides information on the amount of red blood cells present
in the blood. This test is used to diagnose anemia.

COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT (CBC) A more complete panel of tests,
a CBC provides detailed information on red blood cells,
white blood cells and platelets. These tests can indicate
the presence of inflammation, stress or an inability
to fight infection. Low platelets can indicate a potentially
serious problem such as bleeding during or after surgery.

MORPHOLOGIC INSPECTION Looking at the cells through a microscope
can provide information on the type of anemia or inflammation
or other insight into abnormalities.

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