The third in our series on the unique benefits of bringing your pets to Halifax for their care.
In our last article, we talked about how focusing on the relationship between people and their pets has shaped everything we do at Halifax. That commitment drives us to help your pets live happier, healthier, and longer lives.
One of the best ways to achieve this is through preventive medicine – identifying risks early and treating problems before they become serious. Grandma was right: a stitch in time saves nine.
Unfortunately, much of veterinary work is “ambulance at the bottom of the cliff” stuff – fixing problems only after they’re severe enough to bring your pet to us. And let’s face it: vet visits can be stressful (especially for cats!) and costly.
Why Preventive Care Matters
Years ago, as editor of Paws for Thought magazine, I wrote extensively about preventive health care. Here’s the truth: what you don’t know can hurt your pet.
That’s why we extended our standard appointment time from 15 to 20 minutes – at no extra charge – so we can perform a full physical examination using a checklist approach. This helps us uncover hidden issues like anxiety, obesity (which can lead to arthritis), or dental disease. Early intervention in these areas can dramatically improve quality of life and longevity.
The Role of Blood Tests
Physical exams are vital, but they only tell part of the story. Blood tests provide critical insights into internal organ health – essential for diagnosing disease and detecting early changes before symptoms appear.
The challenge? Many clients see the value of blood tests when pets are sick but hesitate when pets seem healthy. So how do we make comprehensive testing affordable?
The Answer: Wet Chemistry
The market for laboratory testing in veterinary practices in New Zealand is dominated by large corporates with a clever marketing model. They install expensive laboratory equipment for free. In return, the veterinary practice signs a contract to use a set number of testing packages per month for several years.
These packages are easy and convenient -but expensive. And the price increases by 7–10% each year of the contract. Over six years, that’s a hefty rise, yet the practice is locked in. Ultimately, those costs have to be passed on to you, the client.
At Halifax, we chose a different path. Over 15 years ago, we invested in benchtop wet chemistry analysers – the same technology used in major veterinary and medical labs. These systems process large volumes of tests quickly and at a fraction of the cost.
The benefits for you and your pets?
- Lower cost for essential tests when your pet is sick.
- Affordable screening before anaesthesia or as part of regular health checks from middle age.
- Cheaper follow-up tests if abnormalities are found.
This is a key part of keeping your pet happy and healthy for as long as possible.
A feature of the ‘wet chemistry’ system is the more tests we run, the cheaper they become
The more tests we run, the cheaper they become.
Help Us Help More Pets
If you have appreciated our service and the many advantages of bringing your pets to Halifax we would really appreciate you recommending us to your pet-loving friends. We will continue to work hard to make them grateful for your good advice. We also really appreciate it if you leave Google or Facebook reviews. Having more clients like you keeps our practice thriving!
Warm regards,
Hans Andersen BVSc MANZCVS
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