Over 40s health testing

My humans are offering testing for the over 40s felines (this means any of us who are over 7 human years - my don't they age slowly, 1 of their years for 7 of ours).

This programme includes a full 30min health check for general health as well as focusing on specific areas known to develop issues as we age, i.e. dental health, coat/grooming, arthritis. Yeah that's a lot of poking and prodding, and that dreadful thermometer! but it is for our own good, these things we must endure.

Following the physical exam the vet is going to take a blood sample, sorry - this means a hair cut as the human will take a little fur off your neck for the sampling. I will purrsonally ensure that the sample is sent to the laboratory to look for early signs of kidney insufficiency/failure, liver disease, thyroid disease or diabetes. Also your fur will grow back, I promise.

The blood test includes

• Blood Glucose - high levels can indicate diabetes. In cats high levels can also indicate stress, which can merely be a result of the trip to see us. Low levels can indicate liver disease, infection or certain tumours.
• Alanine transferase - this is an enzyme that is elevated by damage to liver cells
• Alkaline phosphatase - this enzyme is present in liver and bone. Elevations can indicate liver disease, Cushings disease or steroid therapy. They also occur in young animals due to increase levels of the bone form in growing animals.
• Blood urea nitrogen - This is produced by the liver and removed by the kidneys. Abnormally high levels are associated with kidney insufficiency or failure, dehydration or increased protein turnover (i.e. muscle wasting). Low levels can be associated with liver disease.
• Creatinine - this is a biproduct of muscle metabolism and is excreted by the kidneys. High levels occur in dehydration, kidney disease and urinary tract obstruction. Low levels may be seen in emaciated animals due to lack of muscle tissue.
• Total protein - this is a measure of the non-cellular protein in plasma. This provides information regarding dehydration and diseases of the liver, kidney or intestines.
• Globulins - these are factors found in serum and can be elevated in infection, inflammation and cancer.
• Thyroxine (T4) - this is a thyroid hormone. Elevations indicate thyroid disease. In cats the most common problem is hyperthyroidism, this disease drives the metabolism up, putting stress on many other organs.

Once the blood results arrive a report is prepared for your owner by the vets. This report will related the results of all the tests and examination and provide recommendations on any further testing you need, nutritional requirements, and treatment of any problems detected.

Caught early the humans can manage or cure many of the diseases that reduce the quality of our lives. This testing is aimed at keeping you as healthy and happy as possible (living young) for as long as possible.

love Sausage