Get a baseline on your pet’s ‘normal’
From House MD, to Grey’s Anatomy, diagnostics in human healthcare have become the norm. We expect doctors to figure out what’s wrong with us – and more importantly – to be able to fix us. But what about diagnostics for our pets? “More and more, animals are becoming part of the family,” says Tarryn Dent, diagnostic and technical manager at Zoetis South Africa, a global animal health company. “Dogs sleep in the living room, at the foot of the bed or in their owners’ beds.
“We’ve seen a dual shift because of this. First, pet health impacts the overall health of a family and so a lot more energy, focus and funds are being invested into good-quality food, vaccines, medications and the overall living standards of pets,” says Dent.
“But a big area of growth is now in keeping them healthy, so they don’t fall ill in the first place. Vaccines are an important element in this, but so are diagnostics.”
Preventative care
Although your veterinarian can learn a lot by performing a physical examination, some signs of disease can only be detected with further testing and diagnostics.
“This doesn’t just apply to sick pets – it’s important to understand what’s going on inside with pets that appear healthy, too,” says Dent. “We work closely with veterinarians and veterinary nurses in order for them to get the most out of the diagnostic tests at their disposal so they can offer their four-legged patients the best preventative care possible.
“The great news for pet owners is that many clinics offer in-house diagnostic tests, with results available in as little as 15 minutes,” says Dent.
“This means annual health checks are on the rise. As a pet owner, if your pet is clinically healthy, you may not see value [but] it gives your vet a ‘normal range’ for your pet. Further down the line, your vet could pick up issues and intervene with a treatment plan earlier. Diagnostics allow pet owners to offer their pets a better quality of life and, in many cases, could extend the life span of loved ones.”
The basics for long-term health
Faecal exams: Checking your pet’s stool twice a year can help uncover the presence of the most common internal parasites before they become a problem – or spread to your family.
Complete blood count and serum chemistry panel: Symptoms of some conditions or diseases don’t show up until your pet is very sick – and yet many of these diseases are completely preventable.
Urinalysis: A window into how healthy your pet is on the inside.
So, be sure to keep up routine visits with your vet to ensure your pet stays in tip-top shape all year round. –