1. National Pet Recovery Hotline: 1-800-984-8638. Whenever your pet is lost, this is one of your first places of help to report your missing friend. This 24-hour service will help you to locate your pet. Members pay $25.00 for the lifetime of the pet or $55.00 to find the pet for free and non-members pay $50 and above.

2. Legal Hotline: 1-800-555-6517. I think my neighbors are abusing their pet. Can I do any thing to stop them? Animal Legal Defense Fund help with landlord-tenant issues, vet problems, neglect and any form of abuse.

3. National Animal Poison Control Center: 1-888-426-4435. In a life and death situation when every minute counts for your cat, dog or other pet, with a $45.00 charge for consultation.

4. Emergency Disaster Hotline: 1-800-227-4645. Provided by the American Humane Association, this number is your first point of call in earthquake preparedness for your pets or any disaster, what to do and where to go.

5. Pet Loss Support Hotline: 1-888-478-7574. Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine provides a source for emotional support for those who have lost an animal friend or are anticipating the loss of their pet. Veterinary students at the college man this free service.  

6. Spay HeIpline: 1-800-248-SPAY. One way to prevent several unwanted lovely pets from ending up in shelters or destroyed is to spay or neuter them. Call them for an appointment and locations of over 950 programs and clinic nationwide. Your local Shelters also help in providing similar services.

Dr. Olakunle Ayeni DVM

Dr. Ayeni is a Veterinarian, educator and founder of  http://www.animalevent.com He has written many articles and e-books, some of which include "16 most important telephone numbers every pet owner should know".  To download a full copy of this free e-book go to  www.animalevent.com/ebook

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Complete blood count (CBC)  - This is the most common blood test performed on pets and people. A CBC gives information on hydration status, anemia, infection, the blood's clotting ability, and the ability of the immune system to respond. This test is essential for pets with fevers, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, pale gums, or loss of appetite. If your pet needs surgery, a CBC can detect bleeding disorders or other unseen abnormalities.
HCT (hematocrit) measures the percentage of red blood cells to detect anemia and dehydration.
Hb and MCHC (hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration) are the oxygen-carrying pigments of red blood cells.
WBC (white blood cell count) measures the body's immune cells. Increases or decreases indicate certain diseases or infections.
GRANS and L/M (granulocytes and lymphocytes/monocytes) are specific types of white blood cells.
EOS (eosinophils) are a specific type of white blood cells that may indicate allergic or parasitic conditions.
PLT (platelet count) measures cells that form blood clots.
RETICS (reticulocytes) are immature red blood cells. High levels indicate regenerative anemia.
FIBR (fibrinogen) is an important clotting factor. High levels may indicate a dog is 30 to 40 days pregnant.

Blood chemistries - These common blood serum tests evaluate organ function, electrolyte status, hormone levels, and more. They are important in evaluatng older pets, pets with vomiting and diarrhea or toxin exposure, pets receiving long-term medications, and health before anesthesia.
ALB (albumin) is a serum protein that helps evaluate hydration, hemorrhage, and intestinal, liver, and kidney disease.
ALKP (alkaline phosphatase) elevations may indicate liver damage, Cushing's disease, and active bone growth in young pet's . This test is especially significant in cats
ALT (alanine aminotransforase) is a sensitive indicator of active liver damage but doesn't indicate the cause.
AMYL (amylase) elevations show pancreatitis or kidney disease.
AST (aspartate aminotransferase) increases may indicate liver, heart, or skeletal muscle damage.
BUN (blood urea nitrogen) indicates kidney function. An increased blood level is called azotemia and can be caused by kidney, liver, and heart disease, urethral obstruction, shock, and dehydration.
Ca (calcium) deviations can indicate a variety of diseases. Tumors, hyperparathyroidism, kidney disease, and low albumin are just a few of the conditions that alter serum calcium.
CHOL (cholesterol) is used to supplement diagnosis of hypothyroldism, liver disease, Cushing's disease, and diabetes mellitus.
Cl (chloride) is an electrolyte often lost with vomiting and Addison's disease. Elevations often indicate dehydration.
Cortisol is a hormone that is measured in tests for Cushing's disease (the low-dose dexamethasone suppression test) and Addison's disease (ACTH stimulation test).
CREA (creatinine) reveals kidney function. This test helps distinguish between kidney and nonkidney causes of elevated BUN.
GGT (gamma glutamyl transferase) is an enzyme that indicates liver disease or corticosteroid excess.
GLOB (globulin) is a blood protein that often increases with chronic
inflammation and certain disease states.
GLU (glucose) is a blood sugar. Elevated levels may indicate diabetes mellitus. Low levels can cause collapse, seizures, or coma.
K (potassium) is an electrolyte lost with vomiting, diarrhea, or excessive urination. Increased levels may indicate kidney failure, Addison's disease, dehydration, and urethral obstruction. High levels can lead to cardiac arrest.
LIP (lipase) is an enzyme that may indicate pancreatitis.
Na (sodium) is an electrolyte lost with vomiting, diarrhea, and kidney and Addison's disease. This test helps indicate hydration status.
PHOS (phosphorus) elevations are often associated with kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, and bleeding disorders.
TBIL (total billrubin) elevations may indicate liver or he- molytic disease. This test helps identify bile duct problems and certain types of anemia.
TP (total protein) indicates hydration status and provides additional information about the liver, kidneys, and infectious diseases.
T4 (thyroxine) is a thyroid hormone. Decreased levels often signal hypothyroidism in dogs, while high levels indicate hyperthyroldism in cats.