title: Ultrasonographic and laboratory screening in clinically normal mature golden retriever dogs.
abstract: Wellness and pre-anesthetic screening of blood and urine of geriatric companion animals are routinely recommended. In addition, there are occasional references to the use of imaging in clinically normal geriatric patients. However, the utility of wellness testing is not known, and there is limited information regarding the value of pre-anesthetic testing. Wellness testing, including complete blood cell count, biochemical profile, urinalysis, and abdominal ultrasound, was performed on 53 clinically normal, mature golden retriever dogs. Laboratory analysis revealed abnormalities in 54.7% (29/53) of the dogs. Abdominal ultrasound screening demonstrated abnormalities in 64.2% (34/53) of the dogs. As only a small number of dogs had follow-up diagnostic testing available, the significance of these abnormalities is unknown. Further study involving a larger cohort of animals and analysis of follow-up data is necessary to determine the utility of laboratory and imaging studies in clinically normal geriatric patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Oncology, Mississauga-Oakville Veterinary Emergency Hospital, 2285 Bristol Circle, Oakville, Ontario L6H 6P8, Canada. jawebb@uoguelph.ca
authors.forename: Jinelle A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Webb
authors.forename: Gordon M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Kirby
authors.forename: Stephanie G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Nykamp
authors.forename: Meredith J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Gauthier
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000758:Anesthesia / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000662:veterinary; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000652:urine; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000662:veterinary; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary