Category Description Examples
Category 1 Healthy patient No organic disease
Category 2 Mild or moderate systemic disease without functional impairment Compensated cardiac disease (no medications), geriatric animals, obesity, orthopedic disease, pediatric animals
Category 3 Organic disease with definite functional impairment Mild anemia, mild anorexia, compensated cardiac disease (with medications) dehydration, mild fever, mild neurologic symptoms (seizures, vestibular syndrome, ataxia, paresis)
Category 4 Severe disease that is life-threatening Severe anemia, severe cardiac disease, decompensated pulmonary disease, renal failure, sepsis, shock
Category 5 Moribund patient, not expected to survive Major trauma, multi-organ failure, profound shock, severe head injury.

Animals < 5 years

Exam Requirement
Category 1  Test should be performed within the last 30 days and should include PCV, BUN, Glucose.
Category 2 Test should be performed within the last 30 days and should include PCV, TP or Albumin, BUN, Glucose.
Category 3 Test should be performed within the last 7 days and should include PCV, Albumin, WBC count, ALP, ALT, Bilirubin, BUN, Creatinine, Glucose, Electrolytes (Na, K, CI, Mg, Ca), ECG, Urine Specific Gravity.

Animals > 5 years

Exam Requirement
Category 1  Test should be performed within the last 30 days and should include PCV, BUN, Glucose, ECG and Urine Specific Gravity.
Category 2 Test should be performed within the last 30 days and should include PCV, TP or Albumin, BUN, Glucose, ECG and Urine Specific Gravity..
Category 3 Test should be performed within the last 7 days and should include PCV, Albumin, WBC count, ALP, ALT, Bilirubin, BUN, Creatinine, Glucose, Electrolytes (Na, K, CI, Mg, Ca), ECG, Urine Specific Gravity.