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HEARTWORM AND WELLNESS TESTING 2024 |
Wellness tests are blood tests performed to ensure the health of your pet. These blood tests allow us to anticipate any problems before your pet becomes clinically sick, in an attempt to modify the disease process and improve your pet's quality of life.
Pets are great at hiding disease and often by the time they look sick it is more difficult to help them. Wellness testing also establishes a baseline for your pet that can be used to monitor their health as they age. Wellness blood tests are tailored to your pet's age and known health status.
The 4DX Heartworm + Tick Borne Disease Panel checks for Heartworm Disease, Lyme, Anaplasma and Ehrlichia Disease.
Wellness panels evaluate red and white blood cells, platelets, kidney, liver, pancreas and thyroid (if selected with T4 or FT4) function, proteins, minerals, and electrolytes.
Fecals (stool samples) check for the presence of intestinal parasites.
Our external lab offers a FREE HEARTWORM AND TICK BORNE DISEASE TEST when done with a wellness blood panel. We are happy to extend this discount to your furry family so please take advantage of this offer which is available until July 31st 2024.
Pets are great at hiding disease and often by the time they look sick it is more difficult to help them. Wellness testing also establishes a baseline for your pet that can be used to monitor their health as they age. Wellness blood tests are tailored to your pet's age and known health status.
The 4DX Heartworm + Tick Borne Disease Panel checks for Heartworm Disease, Lyme, Anaplasma and Ehrlichia Disease.
Wellness panels evaluate red and white blood cells, platelets, kidney, liver, pancreas and thyroid (if selected with T4 or FT4) function, proteins, minerals, and electrolytes.
Fecals (stool samples) check for the presence of intestinal parasites.
Our external lab offers a FREE HEARTWORM AND TICK BORNE DISEASE TEST when done with a wellness blood panel. We are happy to extend this discount to your furry family so please take advantage of this offer which is available until July 31st 2024.
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HEARTWORM |
Heartworm disease is a concern for dogs in Ontario, especially during warmer months when mosquitoes are active. While less prevalent than in some other regions, it's still important for pet owners to take preventive measures as heartworm can be fatal if left untreated. In fact, the highest incidence of disease in Canada is in Ontario. Idexx is one of two veterinary labs in Ontario that test for heartworm, and from 2013-2017 they saw an average of 225 cases per year. With more dogs coming up from heartworm endemic areas through rescue groups, and with untreated foxes and coyotes in our area, it is likely we will see more cases. If you have not yet brought your dog in for a heartworm and tick test, it is recommended to do so before starting Interceptor Plus in June.
Click here for more information on Heartworm Disease
Click here for more information on Heartworm Disease
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LYME |
Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness that affects both humans and dogs, caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria. In Ontario, where ticks are present, Lyme disease can pose a risk to dogs. Symptoms in dogs may include lameness, fever, lethargy, and swollen joints. We have had several pets test positive this year for Lyme.
Click here for more information on Lyme Disease
Click here for more information on Lyme Disease
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EHRLICIOSIS |
Ehrlichiosis is another tick-borne disease that can affect dogs, caused by the Ehrlicia bacteria. While it's more commonly found in warmer climates, cases have been reported in Ontario. Symptoms can vary but may include fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, and bleeding disorders.
Click here for more information on Ehrliciosis
Click here for more information on Ehrliciosis
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ANAPLASMA |
Anaplasmosis is yet another tick-borne disease that affects dogs, caused by the Anaplasma bacteria. Like Ehrlichiosis and Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis can occur in areas where ticks are prevalent, including Ontario. Symptoms may include fever, lethargy, joint pain, and sometimes vomiting or diarrhea.
Click here for more information on Anaplasma
Click here for more information on Anaplasma
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ECHINOCOCCOSIS |
ECHINOCOCCOSIS
Echinococcosis is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by tapeworms of the Echinococcus genus. While it primarily affects wild canids such as foxes and coyotes, dogs can also become infected by ingesting contaminated food or water, or by hunting and eating infected small mammals. In Ontario, where wildlife populations can carry the parasite, dogs are at risk of contracting echinococcosis. This disease can also pose a threat to humans if they accidentally ingest tapeworm eggs shed by infected dogs. Humans become infected through the accidental ingestion of E. multilocularis eggs, which can be shed in the feces of infected pets. In humans, E. multilocularis causes large cysts to form within the lungs and liver. These cysts can grow so large that they interfere with organ function, making echinococcosis one of the most serious known zoonotic diseases. Even with surgery and medical treatment, infection is often fatal.
Prevention involves regular deworming of dogs, avoiding contact with wildlife carcasses, and practicing good hygiene to minimize the risk of transmission to humans.
Click here for more information on Echinococcosis
Echinococcosis is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by tapeworms of the Echinococcus genus. While it primarily affects wild canids such as foxes and coyotes, dogs can also become infected by ingesting contaminated food or water, or by hunting and eating infected small mammals. In Ontario, where wildlife populations can carry the parasite, dogs are at risk of contracting echinococcosis. This disease can also pose a threat to humans if they accidentally ingest tapeworm eggs shed by infected dogs. Humans become infected through the accidental ingestion of E. multilocularis eggs, which can be shed in the feces of infected pets. In humans, E. multilocularis causes large cysts to form within the lungs and liver. These cysts can grow so large that they interfere with organ function, making echinococcosis one of the most serious known zoonotic diseases. Even with surgery and medical treatment, infection is often fatal.
Prevention involves regular deworming of dogs, avoiding contact with wildlife carcasses, and practicing good hygiene to minimize the risk of transmission to humans.
Click here for more information on Echinococcosis
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INTESTINAL PARASITE TESTING |
INTESTINAL PARASITE TESTING
Heartworm & Tick Test (4DX)
The Heartworm and Tick Test looks for exposure to Heartworm, Lyme, Ehrlichia and Anaplasma. We recommend testing your canine family members every year.
Fecal Testing
Fecal testing is crucial for pets because it helps identify intestinal worms such as roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, and whipworms as well as protozoa such as giardia and coccidia. These intestinal parasites can affect our pet's health and even be transmitted to humans. Regular fecal testing allows veterinarians to detect and treat these parasites early, preventing potential health issues for both dogs, cats, and their owners. It's particularly important for puppies, as they are more susceptible to parasites and may require more frequent testing and deworming.
Fecal Testing FAQ's
Heartworm & Tick Test (4DX)
The Heartworm and Tick Test looks for exposure to Heartworm, Lyme, Ehrlichia and Anaplasma. We recommend testing your canine family members every year.
Fecal Testing
Fecal testing is crucial for pets because it helps identify intestinal worms such as roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, and whipworms as well as protozoa such as giardia and coccidia. These intestinal parasites can affect our pet's health and even be transmitted to humans. Regular fecal testing allows veterinarians to detect and treat these parasites early, preventing potential health issues for both dogs, cats, and their owners. It's particularly important for puppies, as they are more susceptible to parasites and may require more frequent testing and deworming.
Fecal Testing FAQ's
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Canine Internal Parasite Prevention - INTERCEPTOR PLUS |
Interceptor Plus is recommended to all our canine patients. It's a flavoured chewable tablet given monthly to prevent heartworm, roundworm, hookworm, whipworm, and tapeworm infections. Interceptor Plus covers more intestinal parasites than any other preventions on the market including the newer to Ontario tapeworm Echinococcus multiocularis.
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Feline Intestinal Parasite Prevention - MILBEMAX |
Milbemax is recommended to all our feline patients. It's a flavour-coated tablet that is given every 1-3 months to prevent heartworm, hookworm, roundworm and tapeworm.
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External Parasite Prevention - BRAVECTO, BRAVECTO ONE, CREDELIO |
We recommend Bravecto or Credelio to all of our feline and canine patients for the prevention of ticks, fleas and other external parasites. Bravecto - chewable treat OR topical option given every 12 weeks. Bravecto One - chewable treat given every 4 weeks and recommended for growing puppies. Bravecto Cat - topical solution applied every 12 weeks for fleas, or every 8 weeks for ticks. Credelio Cat - chewable treat given every 4 weeks
