Barkley Animal Clinic and Hospital

Longevity Enhancement Program

Wellness Exams and Testing
Even healthy pets need to have Wellness Exams to establish a baseline health profile. One pet year is roughly the equivalent of 7 human years -- when your pet visits us once-a-year, that's the same as a human visiting the doctor every 7 years, and this puts a different perspective on yearly exams. Healthy reference test results, for example, allow Dr. Barkley to make quicker, more accurate diagnoses in the future. Dr. Barkley can obtain important information through Wellness testing that will help your pet live a longer, healthier life.

Routine check-ups and Wellness testing become even more important as your pet ages. Geriatric animals, those over 8 years of age, have special health care needs. By the time your pet reaches six years old, the aging process is already beginning, but may not be noticeable to you. Statistically, we know that large breeds of dogs live an average of 9 to 10 years, where small breeds live an average of 12 to 13 years.

A complete geriatric evaluation is recommended for any pet that is 8 years old, or older, and should include the follwing tests:
* Complete Blood Count (CBC)
* Thyroid Hormone Test
* Kidney/Liver Panel
* Urinalysis with urine protein levels
* EKG
* Chest-film x-ray

These tests are not only used to evaluate the immediate health status of a pet, but also to compare changes that take place from year to year.

Patients that take certain types of medications long-term should have check-ups, and lab testing, every six months to follow the progress of your pet's condition, and to ensure effective, safe, and accurate dosing of medications. Some of the medications that should be monitored are Rimadyl, Etogesic, Deramaxx, Zubrin, Prednisolone, Enacard, Thyrosin, Dexamethasone -- there are many other medications like these which require periodic monitoring of the patient. Ask Dr. Barkley if you are unsure if your pet should be tested.

Preventive Dental Care
Pets need dental care, too! Prevention of Dental Disease should be included as a part of your pet's overall preventive medicine program, just like annual vaccinations. Most of us understand that daily attention to our teeth and gums is essential for a healthy body. What we may not realize is that our pets also need dental care. Periodontal disease affects more than 80% of adult dogs, and 70% of adult cats, and is the primary cause for "bad breath". If left untreated, this can mean pain, unpleasant mouth odor, and tooth loss.

Bacteria enter the bloodstream through inflamed, bleeding gums and attack your pet's heart, lungs, liver and kidneys. Luckily, advances in pet dental care have made it easier to take care of your pet's dental needs with professional dental cleaning services, effective products that can be applied topically, special foods and treats that help break tartar from the teeth, and products that actually form a barrier on the tooth surface so that plaque and tartar don't have a chance to build up on the teeth and gumline. One of the leading causes of kidney disease is infection spreading throughout the body from chronic periodontal disease. Ask us how your pet can have better dental health -- your pet will love you longer for it!

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