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#59 Does Your Pet Need Functional Testing?
Description
Functional testing is often associated with pets who have chronic, complicated, or unexplained health concerns. While those pets may absolutely benefit from a deeper investigation, they are not the only ones who may be good candidates.
In this episode of The Non-Traditional Veterinarian®, Dr. Bimonte explains why functional testing may be valuable for pets with ongoing symptoms as well as pets who currently appear healthy.
For pets experiencing recurring concerns (itchy skin, ear infections, digestive changes, low energy, anxiety, inflammation, or inconsistent responses to treatment) functional tests may help uncover patterns that are not always visible through routine diagnostics alone.
For healthy pets, testing can serve a different purpose. It may establish a baseline, identify areas that could use additional support, and help pet parents make more intentional decisions about nutrition, lifestyle, supplements, environmental exposures, and long-term preventive care.
Functional testing is not a replacement for a veterinary examination, bloodwork, imaging, or other medically appropriate testing. It is an additional tool that may help veterinarians and pet parents look at the bigger picture, ask better questions, and create a more individualized approach.
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