Yearly Check-ups Vs Semi Annual ?

[Jennifer and Jack]

Jack went for his six month check up for his normal cortisol and electrolyte testing.. (still don't have the results)

I was just wondering how often and to what extent do you have testing done on your dog.  Jack is going to turn five in March.. I took him a bit early for his birthday check up because of my upcoming surgery.

I know I am crazy when it comes to him but I chose for him to get the "Senior Panel" of blood work done as opposed to the junior panel because I want all his bases covered. The vet writes a separate note stating that all the lab work is done to ensure Jack's Addiosonian medications are working so insurance pays for it all minus his deductible.

He had his teeth cleaned in July and with that he had full blood work and they did and EKG for pre anesthesia .

This time for the senior panel...

They did, CBC, CMP, Liver enzymes, Pancreatic Enzymes,  Kidney levels, urine test for something. Cortisol and Thyroid test. Heartworm and Lymes    I am pretty sure that is a through exam. I know when someone used to come to the ER those were the standard tests we would run on them (minus heart worm and Lymes) if we didn't have something specific that was standing out to us.  I know he isn't a "senior but still a junior" but I think it would be easier if we had established levels to look for trends.

Jack needs to lose weight. he is 19.2 pounds and needs to be around 15- 16 at the most. That is a lot of weight to lose.  That is of course our fault he is overweight. He actually has trouble jumping on things and you can see him struggle a bit ….that is a lot of extra weight for a little dog to be carrying and I swear, he still have the tummy tuck curve…. but his ribs are not easily felt and you can feel fat pads on his hips…. We are working it out now.

Do you do semi-annual check ups, or yearly and if so what tests do you have done?  I think I will stick with the senior panel yearly.. ( even though insurance covers it, it was cheaper to buy a package then to have individual testing done) and then every six months we will do cortisol and electrolytes.

Does that sound right?  I just figure they age so fast I don't want something to sneak up on us.  

[Jennifer and Jack]

Thanks Nikki! It is good to hear all perspectives...... .... I am so paranoid with Jack......I have no idea why. I am the polar opposite with myself but if he coughs after he drinks his water...I think something's wrong...

I wasn't implying we should over test our dogs ...I was asking what others did.....I don't know what is normal and what isn't ....jack is my first dog and I am still learning.....you know how a first time parent might have the propensity to be over careful and. But the second kid they have relaxed a ton.....

We are working On Jack losing weight.... I don't know if I will ever be comfortable not doing blood work on him annually and I am sure I will continue at least yearly to checks his systems....it was recommended this year he have the junior panel....so they did recommend blood work......he needs to have some of the tests because of his cortisol .... Who knows maybe next year I will go back to a junior panel or maybe not......

We all have to do what we think is best but admittedly, I don't know what that is!

[Brittney & Cally]

Do you use the green bean diet to help him lose weight?

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

My dogs get a cursory check up when they get their annual immunizations.  If they have symptoms of something, we go in for that specific thing. If they have something wrong that needs following, we follow up as directed by the vet.   I am just not overly into doctoring - for people or dogs.

[Jennifer and Jack]

Jack will not eat the green beans at all but we are able to cut back his steroid dose which should cut back his appetite some.   We just cut treats and wet food out.    I think that will help a lot.

I was thinking about it more because I couldn't sleep last night as I have an impeding surgery tomorrow…..  I think I am comfortable with what I am doing with Jack.. It was interesting to see your perspectives and I appreciate them. I think as your dog ages, more blood work will be added in the annual blood work, at least that is the way it works here.

When Jack was one or two he didn't get annual blood work, only as needed, I think as three and four as well, Now that he is going to be five was the first time they recommended a junior panel and I one upped them to the senior. Which added a few more tests, I think possibly one or at the most two.

My thinking for me is this, Yes if you run lab work on a 100 different people, you will find variables, that is a given, That is why there is acceptable ranges for blood to make allotments for those differences. However, if you were to do a wellness panel which in the ER we called a rainbow of blood work, you can catch someone who is pre diabetic and make adjustments…and if someone is out of the range…. that is a flag to look at, it could be normal for them but it is certainly something to acknowledge and monitor…. 

I feel the same way about Jack.. If something is out of whack I want to catch it early.. I don't want to wait until he has a diabetic episode that leads to a life threatening emergency. If his kidney levels are rising and he is still symptom free, I would very much like to catch what is getting his kidney's before I have a dog in renal failure.   I want to see in advance and know what his baselines are. I don't want to wait until I see symptoms .. yes symptoms for a major test of some sort but not simple blood work. 

If people got their annual screenings for diseases there would be a lot more people still alive today.  I have to believe some of that is true for a dog too. 

For me that is what I have decided I am comfortable with, once a year blood testing of his systems and more as needed. We all have to decide what we think is best and that is what works for me.

 I am not going to feel like I am driving up medical costs through insurance  by having my dog tested yearly for a review of his systems or more as needed. In the end I am going to feel like I did all I could to keep him healthy. What I feel comfortable with . Who knows Jack can eat the best of food, have had the best screenings for his health and still end up getting God forbid hit by a car or having a disease sneak in past us but I won't feel like I wished I had done more and that will be a comfort to me.

You can't hold it against someone for over loving their dog. :)    . in this day in age where we are giving money hand over fist trying to help all these dogs in rescue and seeing terribly neglected dogs that need love.  A dog owned by a neurotic fur mommy that is taking the best possibly care of him that I know how is not a sin.   :)