Blood tests at vet

Submitted by IndyBulldog™ on March 4, 2012 - 2:04pm

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Buddy and Brother are eating raw. I wonder if they need blood tests to gauge their health? If so, what tests and what would the vet be looking for?

Here is a pic of the boys taken in Feb. 2012

Steve

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Mean people still suck

Are they exhibiting symptoms of something?

Submitted by AmyandSophia on March 4, 2012 - 3:28pm.

If not, why would you want blood work done? I am just asking....

I think they look fabulous! Such cute boys they are:-)

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Amy and Sophia

Thanks

Submitted by IndyBulldog™ on March 4, 2012 - 5:00pm.

No, they seem fine. I just want to be sure. I just love them so much, I don't want to miss any thing.

They seem real good at the moment, but it's time for Brother to see the vet, and I wondered.

Thanks

Steve

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Mean people still suck

All of my the dogs get complete blood panels yearly. Sadie gets

Submitted by Janis and Sadie... on March 4, 2012 - 5:31pm.

them twice a year because of the Deramaxx she gets. Sadie eats raw and in her last lab her calcium was low. I wouldnt have known this without the test. I would rather know ahead of time then wait for a symptom.

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smoochies sadie's face...just

Submitted by Pegsy on March 4, 2012 - 7:16pm.

smoochies sadie's face...just cos,lol

they r beautifulsmoochies the

Submitted by Pegsy on March 4, 2012 - 7:14pm.

they r beautiful

smoochies the sc runchy face....sorry i'm no help

Blood Panels

Submitted by Deb and MacKenz... on March 4, 2012 - 7:53pm.

I only do blood panels when they become seniors or before any surgery. Your boys look healthy and bright eyed. If they also have nice coast then I wouldn't think a blood panel is necessary.

Since you feed raw you should make sure they are getting a variety of meats. At least that is what I've been told and have read.

yes to variety of meats

Submitted by CathyandAudrey on March 4, 2012 - 8:27pm.

the only source that has all the amino acids is eggs, so feeding a variety ensures they are getting the amino acids they need.

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Cathy and Audrey

Eggs

Submitted by Deb and MacKenz... on March 5, 2012 - 4:33pm.

I have just been feeding egg shells about once a week, when I have eggs on the weekend. They don't really like them. Should they just get a whole raw egg? That will be messy :(.

Audrey eats hers raw

Submitted by CathyandAudrey on March 5, 2012 - 5:07pm.

she likes them, but she hates the shell. I put hers in her food bowl so it's not messy.

Egg shells are very high in calcium, if you feed them along with bone on a regular basis it can lead to too much calcium. Every once in a while is OK-but don't feed bone on the same day as egg shell.

And did you mean your dogs don't like eggs or they don't like the shells?

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Cathy and Audrey

I'll try the eggs

Submitted by Deb and MacKenz... on March 5, 2012 - 9:01pm.

this weekend. I'm sure they will eat the eggs just fine, they don't really like the shells.

I do get Kofi's done

Submitted by Carol and Griffin on March 4, 2012 - 8:29pm.

yearly.

I do so because it was suggested on a raw forum that I was on when I started raw. It also gives me peace of mind, since she doesn't get such a large variety that many of you are able to get.

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Kofi and Carol

OK ... Then what about Fecal Tests

Submitted by Deb and MacKenz... on March 5, 2012 - 4:36pm.

I have them done every couple of years and in 16 years and 5 dogs I've never had a positive test. I was told that someones vet said that worms are far more prevelant in dogs fed a raw diet. i persoanlly don't belive this, but I'm curious what others think. I honestly hate wasting $25 for the fecal test when it's never been positive so I don't have it done annually.

I don't believe it either

Submitted by CathyandAudrey on March 5, 2012 - 5:24pm.

I think that IF the meat was contaminated then eating it raw would increase the chances the dog could get worms, but I don't believe at all that it's common. It would be rare actually, because the vast majority of parasites in dogs come from the environment-they are NOT food born.

I have heard that fecal tests are only 25% accurate at best.

I give Audrey DE in the summer when she is most likely to be exposed to fleas and other animals' poop outside.

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Cathy and Audrey

I'm big on the DE too.

Submitted by IndyBulldog™ on March 5, 2012 - 8:41pm.

Buddy has had tape worms twice. I think it was from the cat, or more likely the raccoon that lived in the empty house next door in an empty house.

DE took care of it both times.

Steve

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I'll try the DE this summer

Submitted by Deb and MacKenz... on March 5, 2012 - 9:02pm.

and I'll ask my vet about the accuracy of the fecal tests.