At HanoverView Animal Hospital, we want you to understand what diagnostic testing is recommended for your pet and why. We have developed our guidelines in accordance with the recommendations of the America Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP), and Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC). We offer in-house laboratory tests, as well as utilizing an outside veterinary laboratory.
Fecal Testing
We test a small sample of your pet’s stool to screen for internal parasites such as roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, coccidia and/or giardia. Many of these parasites are zoonotic, meaning your pet can pass them to you! Mud, dirt, or soil on shoes can harbor the eggs, and some eggs can still be infectious from the ground for up to five years! You may be bringing parasites into your home and not even be aware of it, leaving you, your family, and your pets at risk. In one study 15% of commercial potting soil contained roundworm eggs!
Yearly fecal testing, even if your pet is on preventative, not only protects them but you as well!
Comprehensive Blood Test
This test checks for indications of kidney or liver disease, anemia, thyroid disease, as well as many other illnesses. If your pet is sick, we may recommend a blood test to help determine what is affecting your pet. It is also extremely valuable to do when your pet is not clinically sick to screen for early signs of disease.
The ideal time to start screening depends a lot on your pets overall health, breed and lifestyle risks. We strongly recommend screening all pets annually starting at 8-10 years of age. The goal of early and frequent testing to is to catch any underlying disease process before your pet feels sick or a disease process becomes advanced.
Feline Leukemia Virus/Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) Tests
These two viruses are common and highly contagious, especially in the stray cat population. We recommend that all new cats and kittens be tested for these viruses before you introduce them into your house. Also, any indoor/outdoor cat that has come in contact with a stray cat, especially if there were any bite wounds, should be tested.
Feline Leukemia Virus affects several body systems causing signs ranging from fever, weight loss, diarrhea and bone marrow destruction.
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, frequently called feline AIDS, attacks the immune system of cats, much like the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) attacks humans.
CATS CAN NOT TRANSMIT THESE VIRUSES TO PEOPLE!
Heartworm Test
Heartworm disease results in severe lung problems, heart failure and other organ damage due to worms that live in the heart, lungs and associated blood vessels of your dog or cat. The larvae of these worms are transmitted by mosquitoes. This test is mandatory before heartworm preventative is started.
Yearly blood testing, even if your dog has been on preventatives, is recommended due to the prevalence and seriousness of this disease.
Tick-Borne Illness Tests
Lyme disease is caused by bacteria that can produce lameness, lethargy or flu like symptoms, and in rare cases can cause severe kidney damage.
Anaplasma bacteria infect red blood cells causing life-threatening anemia.
Ehrlichia bacteria infect white blood cells and platelets causing life-threatening bleeding disorders.
Yearly blood testing, even if your dog has been on preventatives, is recommended due to the prevalence and seriousness of these diseases.