Pet Health Screening

Our team at West Side Animal Clinic in Hamilton, OH, takes a proactive approach to your pet’s well-being by using pet health screening services to predict and manage any developments.

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Why Pet Health Screening is Important

Regular health screenings allow us to detect potential health concerns early, ensuring timely treatment and care for your furry companion. Whether your pet is young or reaching their senior years, proactive health monitoring is crucial for maintaining a healthy, active life.

Why Pet Health Screening is Essential

Early detection of underlying health issues can significantly impact your pet’s quality of life. Many conditions, such as heart disease, kidney failure, and certain cancers, develop gradually and may not show obvious symptoms until they are in advanced stages. Through pet health screening, we can identify these issues before they become severe, allowing for better treatment options and outcomes.

For pets with genetic predispositions, screening can also help identify inherited conditions that may affect their health over time. This is particularly important for certain breeds that are prone to specific health problems.

Two women in scrubs carefully examine a cat

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Common Conditions Detected Through Pet Health Screening

At West Side Animal Clinic, we use a variety of diagnostic tools to screen for several common health issues in pets. Some of these conditions include:

Von Willebrand’s Disease

This genetic disorder is similar to hemophilia in humans and can lead to life-threatening bleeding. Testing for Von Willebrand’s disease is especially important for at-risk breeds such as Dobermans, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, and Pembroke Welsh Corgis. Many dogs may carry this disease without showing symptoms, which is why early screening is recommended.

Renal Dysplasia

Renal dysplasia is a condition where the kidneys do not develop properly, leading to kidney failure in some cases. Breeds like Shih Tzus, Lhasa Apsos, and Wheaten Terriers are more prone to this disorder. Screening is vital, especially for breeders, to ensure that the condition is not passed on to future generations.

Hip Dysplasia

Common in large-breed dogs, hip dysplasia is a condition that affects the development of the hip joint. Early detection allows for better management and can prevent the condition from progressing to arthritis or degenerative joint disease. We offer screening through both the OFA and PennHIP methods to accurately assess your dog’s risk for hip dysplasia.

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, this process 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.

Schedule a Pet Health Screening Today

At West Side Animal Clinic in Hamilton, OH, we believe in taking a proactive approach to your pet’s health. Regular pet health screening is a critical part of keeping your pet healthy and ensuring that they live a long, happy life. Whether you’re concerned about specific genetic conditions or just want to ensure your pet stays in peak condition, our veterinary team is here to help.