s veterinarians, the health of our patients is paramount, and one way to maintain their health and wellbeing is understanding and utilizing BEAM (Behavior, Energy, Appetite, Mood) scores. BEAM scores can greatly enhance our ability to detect early signs of disease in pets, leading to more successful treatment outcomes and, ultimately, happier and healthier animals. The following aims to provide a comprehensive overview of how veterinarians can use BEAM scores to detect disease, monitor pet health and optimize veterinary visits.
1. Behavior: Changes in a pet’s behavior can be a significant indicator of their health. For example, a dog that once greeted the client with barks and a wagging tail but now greets them with a low whimper or shows reluctance in getting up may be signaling discomfort or distress. Similarly, a cat that used to enjoy cuddles but now prefers solitude might be experiencing pain or illness.
Monitoring BEAM scores is a helpful and easy-to-implement part of veterinary assessments. Early detection of subtle changes can lead to timely diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. Here are some steps to integrate BEAM scoring effectively into veterinary practice:
- Establish Baselines. Determine normal BEAM scores for each pet during regular check-ups to identify any deviations during future visits.
- Educate Pet Owners. Inform pet owners about the importance of BEAM scores and how they can monitor these at home, empowering them to journal the scores and note any changes that will prompt them to seek veterinary care.
- Encourage Regular Updates. Encourage pet owners to provide updates on their pets’ BEAM scores during routine visits or via digital communication tools.
- Integrate with Physical Examinations. Combine BEAM score assessments with physical exams to provide a comprehensive overview of a pet’s health.
- Use Technology. Leverage technology such as pet health apps or validated activity trackers to continuously monitor changes in pets’ behavior and energy levels, facilitating early intervention.
- Present Case Studies. Presenting detailed case studies can help illustrate how changes in BEAM scores have led to the identification and management of early-stage diseases, encouraging owners to follow through with them.