Most people bring their pets in for a yearly checkup. The typical services received include: a core vaccination, a fecal exam, a heartworm test and heartworm preventative medication. The cost for these services is about 150.00. With the Health Exam Plus we can offer much more for a proportionately lower fee. The Health Exam Plus currently costs 313 dollars as a package; if all the services in the exam were charged individually the total cost would run around 525 dollars. 

HEALTH EXAM PLUS

      Pets age the same as people do. They get the same diseases – such as diabetes, kidney and liver problems, arthritis, depression, tumors, cancer, thyroid conditions, loss of sensory perception and a host of infections that younger animals are more resistant to – such as urinary tract and skin infections. More and more people are seeking comprehensive care for their pets and in response we are pleased to introduce a very good, reasonably priced total body examination.

With HEALTH EXAM PLUS  your pet will receive:

(I). An extended, detailed Physical Exam including heart, lungs, skin, lymph nodes, retina, ears, teeth and gums, prostate, breast tumor check, abdominal palpation and an examination of joints for signs of arthritis. We anticipate that this exam would take twice or three times the amount of time we now allocate for a routine yearly exam/vaccination physical.

(II) Urinalysis.  This assesses the health and function of the urinary system. This is especially important in older animals to help in the detection of kidney disease. A complete urinalysis includes a 9-chemistry evaluation of the urine (glucose, blood, protein, etc), a specific gravity measurement, and a microscopic exam of the urine sediment obtained by centrifugation. While some blood tests (like BUN and Creatinine) help evaluate kidney function, they are more informative when a urinalysis is done at the same time. Many older pets have chronic, undetected urinary tract infections.

(III).  Fecal Exam.  Checks for the presence of intestinal worms and protozoa.

(IV). Arthropod Screen. Blood test for Heartworms, Lymes, Ehrlichia and Anaplasmosis

(V).  Chemistry Tests - This panel surveys many of the organ systems of the body to make sure they are working normally.

   ** 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 neoplasia of the liver and gall bladder may be detected by one or all of these tests.

   **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.

   **Pancreas - (Glucose, Amylase, Lipase, Triglyceride). These tests are abnormal when there is something wrong with the pancreas or carbohydrate metabolism (for example diabetes or pancreatitis).

   **Muscle and Bone – (Calcium and Phosphorus). These values are helpful in determining the health of bone metabolism – (CPK and AST). The enzymes are abnormal with muscle damage and certain muscle diseases.

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

(VI).  Complete Blood Count. - A complete blood count is a 14-parameter series of tests that evaluate the number and types of blood cells in the circulation. A CBC provides detailed information about Red Blood Cells (RBCs), White Blood Cells (WBCs), platelets and bone marrow function. Many diseases can be identified when there are abnormalities in a CBC such as infection, inflammation, autoimmune disease, anemia or leukemia.

(VII). Thyroid Test. - 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.

(VIII).  Electrocardiogram. - An EKG gives us an electrical evaluation of the heart and can help detect many underlying heart problems. The EKG is performed in our clinic using a tele-transmitter which sends the information by telephone to Cardiopet in New York City. The EKG is read by a board-certified cardiologist and a report is faxed to us the following day.

(IX).  Any Scheduled Yearly Core Vaccination. (Includes the cost of a Cook County Rabies tag).

(X).  Ear Cleaning and Nail Trim

(XI).  Heartworm Medication for one season: DIRO-10  (Cost of Diro-10 is pro-rated toward the purchase of Heartgard if that is your preference).

(XII). Written report and recommendations.

This kind of exam cannot be a hurried process. In order to do the best job possible we need to have your pet here for at least 3 to 4 hours. We do the HEALTH PLUS examson Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and the latest we can start an exam is 1 PM. The cost of this exam is 313 dollars. For comparison, the combined individual cost for these services (physical exam, vaccinations, fecal exam, urinalysis, CBC, chemistry tests, thyroid test, EKG, heartworm test (including lymes, ehrlichia and anaplasmosis), heartworm medication, nail trim and ear cleaning) would be approximately 465 to 500 dollars.  (N.B. This package price of 313 includes a season's worth of Diro-10 heartworm medication. If you choose Heartgard brand, your charge will be the normal charge for Heartguard minus a 10 dollar credit against the Diro-10. If you want no heartworm medication, again deduct 10 dollars.