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Keep Your Pet Healthy with Comprehensive Health Screening Tests
Regular health screenings play a pivotal role in safeguarding your pet's well-being by identifying potential health issues before they escalate. At Pets Ahoy Animal Hospital in Macomb, MI, we provide a diverse array of comprehensive health screening tests to offer a holistic assessment of your pet's health status.
Von Willebrand’s Disease
Early detection of Von Willebrand's Disease is critical as it can be life-saving for your dog. Similar to hemophilia in humans, Von Willebrand's Disease can lead to severe bleeding, often unnoticed until a minor surgical procedure or superficial injury results in significant blood loss.
We offer testing for this disease, which is hereditary in certain breeds. Up to 50% of Dobermans are affected, alongside other breeds such as German shepherds, German shorthaired and wirehaired pointers, golden and Chesapeake Bay retrievers, Pembroke Welsh corgis, poodles, Scottish and Manchester terriers, and Shetland sheepdogs.
If you own an at-risk breed, we strongly advise scheduling a test. Some animals may not exhibit symptoms of the disease but can still carry the genetic trait. Breeding such dogs without testing can perpetuate the disease in subsequent generations. If you are a breeder, it's highly recommended to conduct Von Willebrand's disease testing before breeding your dogs. Please contact us to arrange this essential test.
Renal Dysplasia
Renal dysplasia is a disorder in which the kidneys do not develop normally. It most commonly affects Shih Tzus, Lhasa apsos, and soft-coated wheaten terriers. Dogs usually become clinically ill before 1 year of age.
Unfortunately, this genetic disease has no cure; many affected dogs will develop kidney failure. Management options are limited and generally expensive. Although some dogs are only carriers of this disorder and have normal kidney function, they can still pass the trait on to their offspring.
If you’re a breeder, testing for renal dysplasia can significantly reduce your chances of breeding this inherited problem in your dogs. Please call us to schedule this test.
Hip Dysplasia
Renal dysplasia is a congenital disorder characterized by abnormal kidney development, commonly affecting Shih Tzus, Lhasa apsos, and soft-coated wheaten terriers. Clinical signs typically manifest before the age of one.
Unfortunately, there's no cure for this genetic disease, and many affected dogs eventually develop kidney failure. While some dogs may only be carriers without exhibiting kidney dysfunction, they can still pass on the trait to their offspring.
For breeders, conducting tests for renal dysplasia can significantly mitigate the risk of perpetuating this inherited disorder. Please reach out to schedule a test for your pet.
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OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) Certification:
We can x-ray your dog’s hips for hip dysplasia at 2 years of age. We will forward these radiographs to the OFA, where board-certified radiologists will evaluate and grade your dog’s hips for OFA certification. Correct positioning of your dog is essential for proper radiographic evaluation, so a general anesthetic is required to make the procedure less stressful for him or her.
PennHIP Method:
We can x-ray your dog’s hips using the PennHIP method for evaluating hip dysplasia in dogs, which can be performed much earlier (at 16 weeks of age) than OFA certification. Requiring a general anesthetic involves x-raying your dog’s hips in three different positions to measure how loose the joints are and determine the presence or likelihood of osteoarthritis. If you are a breeder, consider using this test to help you select good breeding candidates at a younger age. If your dog competes athletically, consider using this technique to evaluate the future soundness of your dogs or puppies.
Whether you're a breeder or a pet owner, early detection and intervention are key to ensuring your dog's long-term health and well-being. Consider these tests to make informed decisions about breeding or to plan for your dog's future health. Schedule a screening today to prioritize your pet's health and quality of life.
