118 – Canine Advanced Wellness + CRA + Mg

Background:

Canine Advanced Wellness + CRA + Mg includes an inflammation assessment with C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and three of the most important essential vitamins: Vitamin D (25OHD),  Cobalamin (Vitamin B12) and Magnesium (Mg).  Additionally, screening for early signs of cancer is done using TK1 providing the Cancer Risk Assessment (CRA).  CRA is a way to see the risk of a major cancer event in the coming 4-6 months.  Early detection leads to early intervention, more options, and better outcomes.

Apparently healthy dogs should not have systemic inflammation.  When present, source of inflammation should be identified and resolved if possible before it becomes chronic.  Chronic inflammation leads to the development of serious diseases including cancer.  Detect occult disease in the otherwise healthy looking dog using the single most effective test for overall health: CRP.

Magnesium is an essential nutrient involved in numerous biological pathways, acting as a cofactor to ensure they run efficiently and effectively.  VDI provides patient-specific dosing guidelines to get patients to sufficiency.

Advanced Wellness panels include a basic Chem12 panel, which is used to help identify root cause of any inflammation using intelligent diagnostics.  Chem12 includes: TP, Alb, Glob, A/G ratio, BUN, Creatinine, BUN/Creatinine, ALT, ALP, Total Bili, Glucose, Calcium.

Clinical Applications:

1. General Wellness (annual or biannual screening)
2. Apparently Healthy dogs
3. Dogs at high risk of inflammatory diseases
4. Dogs at risk of cancer
5. Pet Parents wanting to be proactive in detecting & managing disease

Recommendations:

Health screening using a sensitive inflammatory marker, CRP, should begin once the dog reaches an adult stage.  Annual testing while apparently healthy is the minimum recommended interval with bi-annual screening being the most effective way to detect the presence of occult disease.

Dogs at risk of cancer benefit from bi-annual testing of CRA.  For best results, CRA should be performed every 4 months.

Evaluating essential vitamin levels should start once the dog or cat reaches adult stages and establishes their adult diet.  Once diet has been stable for 3 months, test baseline vitamins and correct any insufficiencies with supplementation, or consider a diet change if values are considerably low.  VDI provides patient-specific dosing guidelines for Vitamin D, B12 and Mg.  Recheck intervals are every year once sufficient unless diet or health changes occur.