Terra Linda Veterinary Hospital - Pet, Animal Wellness Exams

There are four basic wellness tests your veterinarian will use to diagnose the health of your pet:

1. Complete Blood Count (CDC)

This tests for anemia, infection, inflammation, and the healthiness of the blood cells. It is a series of tests that evaluate the number and type of blood cells in circulation. WBC, or white blood cells, help fight infection or inflammation. RBC, or red blood cells, carry oxygen to the tissues.

2. Chemistry Tests

This panel surveys many of the organ systems of the body to make sure they are working normally. The following tests are performed:

Liver (AST, ALT, Alk Phos, T. Bilirubin, GGT, Cholesterol, Proteins)
This group of tests helps evaluate various functions and health of the liver. Decreased liver function, inflammation, infection, or necroplasia of the liver and gall bladder may be detected by one or all these tests. More information on liver disease can be found here

Kidney (BUN, Creatinine, Phosphorus, Amylase, Albumin)
These tests monitor the function and health of the kidneys. They are most helpful and sensitive for detecting kidney disease when combined with a urinalysis. More information on kidney disease can be found here

Pancreas (Glucose, Amylase, Lipase, Triglyceride)
These tests are abnormal when there is something wrong with the pancreas or carbohydrate metabolism; examples are diabetes mellitus and pancreatitis. More information on diabetes mellitus can be found here

Muscle and Bone

Calcium and phosphorus are helpful in determining the health of bone metabolism.

CPK and AST are normal with muscle damage, trauma, or inflammation (myositis).

Electrolytes (Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, Calcium, Phosphorus) are important in monitoring the electrical, water balance, and cellular health or the body. Deficiencies or excesses of these electrolytes are harmful to an animal's physical and mental well being.

3. Thyroid Function Tests

As the name implies, thyroid tests evaluate the function of the thyroid gland. Too little thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism) is common in dogs, whereas too much thyroid (hyperthyroidism) is common in older cats. Because there is no single thyroid test that can diagnose all thyroid diseases in animals, several different thyroid tests are used to assure proper results.

4. Urinalysis

This assesses the health and function of the urinary system. This is especially important in older animals to help early detection of kidney disease. While some serum chemistries help evaluate kidney function they are more informative when a urinalysis is done at the same time. The urine sample is tested for several chemical components as well as any cells or crystals.

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