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661 Central Coast
Hwy
(formerly The Entrance Rd)
WAMBERAL NSW 2260
02 4384 5888
AH emergency 02 4384 5888
email us here
GENERAL HOURS
Monday to Friday
8am - 6pm
Saturday/Sunday
9am - 12 noon
CONSULTATIONS BY
APPOINTMENT
Monday to Friday
9 - 11am and 3 - 6pm
Saturday/Sunday
9am - 12 noon |
The annual physical examination of
your pet is equivalent to every seven years in a person; and in both
dogs and cats there are age related changes that predispose to
disease such as major organ failure, tumours, arthritis, and loss of
special senses (hearing and vision).
A comprehensive evaluation performed on a regular schedule is
clearly the best way to detect subclinical disease or to find
increased risk factors of disease in senior patients.
Many of the chronic disorders seen in older pets can be medically
controlled, and in some cases resolved, if they are detected early
enough; eg, a pet can lose 75% of kidney function before it will
show any signs of illness.
A "wellness" program for senior pets involves diagnostic testing
based on age and the initial physical examination. Testing may
involve the following:
• Blood chemistry profile
• thyroid hormone level
• urinalysis
• faecal examination
• ophthalmoscope exam
• ears exam (with MedRX videoscope)
• dental exam
• nutrition review
The most common diseases of insidious onset in the dog are heart
valve problems, tumours, arthritis, dental disease (which also
affects the body generally if allowed to progress), and bladder and
kidney disease.
In cats, the common problems seen are kidney disease, tumours,
dental disease, and overactive thyroids (which can cause circulatory
and gastrointestinal disease, and sudden blindness). It is now
estimated that hyperthyroidism affects 10-15% of older cats with
non- specific signs. Kidney disease affects 30-40% of senior cats,
and frequent testing is mandatory in this species. Many cats have
concurrent hyperthyroidism and chronic kidney disease with minimal
external signs. Owners often comment that their cat is just "not
quite right".
If anaesthesia is required at any stage (eg, for dental disease or
tumour removal), it becomes even more imperative to detect any
underlying disease prior to the procedure. For example, a pet with
subclinical kidney disease undergoing anaesthesia is not so much at
risk during anaesthesia, but more the few days to weeks afterwards
as the effect of the lowered blood flow through the kidneys brings
on overt signs of kidney failure. This animal can be placed on
presurgical IV fluids and other drugs to prevent the effect of
hypotension from the anaesthesia.
Although performing these tests cannot guarantee the absence of
complications, it can significantly minimize the risk to your pet
and provide you and us with peace of mind. |
