Miscellaneous
Geriatric Work-Up
By the age of 7 years, your pet has reached the point where animals are more prone to acquire health problems, such as kidney or liver disease, brought on by the natural aging process. We know what an important part of your family your pet has become over the years, so let’s keep him or her as healthy as possible.
Modern veterinary medicine has made it possible for us to detect early signs of these diseases in time to try to reverse or, at least, prevent further deterioration of these organs. We recommend that your pet be given a thorough geriatric physical examination, which includes blood testing and may include urine testing. Past experience has taught us that detection of medical problems early can increase the owner's chance of taking better care of the mature pet.
Collecting a Urine Sample:
1. A urine sample must be as clean as possible. Please wash out any container you are using and avoid getting dirt and other debris in the sample container.
2. Put your dog on a leash when collecting sample so you are able to stay close to them.
3. The urine sample must be no more than 12 hours old and must be covered and refrigerated unless you will be bringing the sample to the clinic immediately.
4. If you are unable to collect a urine sample or if we need a completely sterile sample, we may have to obtain urine directly from the bladder at the same time we draw the blood sample.
Blood Testing: To receive accurate blood test results, your pet should be fasted for 8-12 hours prior to blood collection.
Diabetes
Diabetes Mellitus is a disease caused by a deficiency of insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas and is necessary to help body tissues use blood sugar. Without insulin, sugar remains in the blood causing increased urine production and thirst. Eventually, the sugar passes into the urine. When the body cannot utilize blood sugar, appetite increases, but weight loss often occurs. As the disease progresses, chemicals called “ketones” accumulate resulting in vomiting and dehydration. Coma and then death occur in untreated animals.
The disease is diagnosed through a combination of blood and urine tests, as well as a complete physical examination. If your pet is diagnosed with diabetes, it needs to be closely monitored in the hospital to determine the correct dosage of insulin. Too much insulin can result in low blood sugar causing weakness, depression, and possibly death. Not enough insulin will not correct the problem and will eventually cause cataracts, kidney disease, and other diabetes related symptoms.
Once regulated, your pet will return home and need daily insulin injections. Appetite and attitude will need to be observed closely, as well as urine sugar levels, or periodic blood glucose tests, to assure proper insulin dosage.
If your pet is very ill, the doctor may recommend IV fluid therapy.
Your pet will stay hospitalized until the correct dosage of insulin has been established. This is estimated at three to five days, but, could be longer or shorter depending on each individual patient's response. The doctor will update you daily with your pet's progress.
Glucose Curve
A glucose curve is used to determine your pet’s response to insulin administration. There are many different types of insulin and each individual responds differently. In some individuals, insulin will have its maximum effect in 2 hours, while in others it may take 8 hours to have its maximal effect. A glucose curve will give us a better ideal how your pet is responding and help us determine the amount, type, and frequency of insulin administration.
A glucose curve involves determining the blood glucose level every 2 hours from 8:00 A.M. until 6:00 - 8:00 P.M. The procedure is to feed your pet as you normally would, give the insulin as you normally would and then leave your pet at the clinic for the day for blood glucose determinations. The blood samples are sent to a laboratory the next day and the results are available in 24-48 hours.
Cushing's and Addison's Disease
Adrenal Gland Testing
The adrenal glands are pea-sized glands located in the abdomen near the kidneys. Although these glands are small, they are powerful and important. They secrete various forms of cortisone which controls many body functions. Unfortunately, these glands malfunction on occasion, resulting in either too much or not enough cortisone being secreted.
Too much cortisone results in a condition called “hyperadrenocorticoidism” or “
Cushing's disease.” Increased thirst, hair loss, recurrent bladder infections, and a pot-bellied appearance are just some of the signs of this condition.
Too little cortisone being secreted by the adrenal glands is called “hypoadrenocorticoid¬ism” or “
Addison's Disease” and results in weakness, periodic vomiting and a slow heart rate.
Although a physical examination and routine blood tests may suggest a disorder of the adrenal glands, specific tests need to be done to confirm either to little or too much cortisone being secreted. Tests for adrenal function basically measure the response of the glands to drugs that stimulate these glands. These tests usually require bringing your pet into the clinic in the morning and leaving him/her for the day while the tests are performed.
These tests will help the doctor determine if the adrenal glands are functioning properly. If too much cortisone is being secreted, then additional tests or x-rays may be needed to see whether or not the problem is due to a tumor of the adrenal glands or not.
Evaluation of the Central Nervous System
Convulsions, seizures or abnormal behavior may be due to any number of disorders, such as bacterial/viral infections, poisonings (lead), tumors, organ system dysfunction (shunts, heart problems, liver problems), birth defects, or epilepsy.
In order to evaluate these systems, some or all of the following may be recommended:
1. Full Blood Work to look for systemic problems that may cause neurologic disease
2. Sometimes ancillary tests for specific diseases are added after the basic blood work is done.
3. Neurologic consult w/ Board-Certified Veterinary Neurologist
4. Therapeutic trial w/ meds
Each case is handled individually; however the more you know about your pet and what he may have been exposed to, the better we can help you.