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Dunedin Animal Medical Center is the only AAHA Accredited Animal Hospital in the Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Countryside, Ozona, and Safety Harbor area.  What does AAHA Accreditation mean to you and your pet.  AAHA Click Here
 

Pet Owners Guide to Pet Age, Wellness Exams, & Health Screening


PETS:

  • Have moved from the "backyard" to the "bedroom"
  • Owners want their pets to live the best quality life possible
  • One year in the life of a pet is the same as 5-7 in a human.
  • One year represents 10-20% of a pet’s life span.
  • Detecting disease early prolongs quality-of-life.
  • Preventing disease is much cheaper than treating disease.

WHY: Wellness Exams & Health Screening

  • Pets hide illness.
  • Pets can't talk and tell you where it hurts.
  • Laboratory screening cost is very reasonable.
  • Many diseases can be detected much earlier through laboratory testing.
  • Disease clinical signs (what you see) often does not develop until late in the disease process.
  • Screening provides “baselines” for future assessment when the pet is sick.
  • Screening increases the safety during anesthesia.
  • Screening provides "peace of mind".
  • A Wellness-Exam and Health-Screen is our best opportunity to recognize disease in its early stages when intervention may help extend the quality-of-life for your pet.  

WHEN: To Do Wellness Exams & Health Screening?

  • Pediatric Pets - Wellness-Exam at each vaccination visit; Health-Screening, ~3 to 4 months of age, then Annually
  • Adult Pets - Annually.  (Please refer to aging chart for your pet).
  • Senior and Geriatric Pets - Semi-Annually.   (Please refer to aging chart for your pet).

WHICH: Health Screening Test For My Pet?

  • Pediatric Pets - Early-Detection screening test panel.
  • Adult Pets - Early-Detection screening test panel. 
  • Senior and Geriatric Pets - Senior-Pets screening test panel. 
  • Additional testing may be recommended based upon breed, genetics, and pet condition.

WHAT TO DO: If Abnormalities Are Found?

  • Abnormalities found on screening test panels may be all that is needed to proceed with treatment. 
  • If additional laboratory, radiology or other diagnostic testing is required Your Veterinarian at Dunedin Animal Medical Center will recommend the appropriate testing and if your pet requires a specialist, we will refer you to a trusted specialist.  

Automation has made health-screen-testing very affordable.  We strongly recommend using this affordable diagnostic tool to give your pet the best chance for a quality life-style for the maximum number of years.