I read, with some concern, of a lot of young shelties with kidney issues, liver issues and thyroid concerns. To be better at monitoring the health of our shelties I am wondering if yearly bloodwork is called for regardless of how active or "normal" our dogs seem to be. Normally in a young, seemingly healthy, dog I would not be doing bloodwork unless they are either symptomatic of something or are being anesthetized - my vet doesn't need any more of my funds! What are your thoughts on the increase in these health concerns and the need for annual bloodwork?
Health issues in Shelties
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Justicemom
Forums Celebrity
I recommend yearly bloodwork(CBC/Chem) starting at 6 months(gives you a base line) and then after age 8yr every 6 months. Thyroid panel at 12 months and then every 2 years. I admit unless it is one of my breeding dogs I tend to slack her unless there are signs.
This is in an ideal world since dogs are so good at hiding illness. It is much easier to treat or slow down illness early than wait until they are syptomatic because this is usually late stage especially in liver and kidney dz.
I recommend this for all dogs and cats not just shelties.
This is in an ideal world since dogs are so good at hiding illness. It is much easier to treat or slow down illness early than wait until they are syptomatic because this is usually late stage especially in liver and kidney dz.
I recommend this for all dogs and cats not just shelties.
bibluegirl
Forums Regular
I agree bloodwork should be done yearly til they are seniors 8 years of age then every 6months. That way you can catch and treat a problem before its too late.
Most common problem we see at the vet is that people don't do blood work until thier animal isn't feeling well sometimes its too late because they waited.
Most common problem we see at the vet is that people don't do blood work until thier animal isn't feeling well sometimes its too late because they waited.
The thing is that I have an average life span of 16 years in the dogs that have lived with us with very little reason to do bloodwork on a regular basis. It is only my concern about the number of threads I am seeing with liver issues, kidney issues and thyroid that I voiced the question. Thanks Dr. Shelli for giving me your recommendation. I will certainly follow it to try to keep Tinsel as healthy and happy as I can. Fortunately the bloodwork and urinalysis we did a couple of months ago was great except for the low normal thyroid. He's coming up for another thyroid test and hopefully that will be normal now as well.
OntarioSheltie
Forums Celebrity
I understand your concern, when I think back there are quite a few threads about young dogs in kidney and liver failure.
I could be wrong, but I think if you dig deeper, the majority of the dogs with these issues are dogs that come from byb and puppy mills. I think its important to make note of where these dogs are coming from, that the majority of the time these health issues are not present in dogs from reputable breeders.
marymrumfelt
Forums Enthusiast
Also, you can't say it isn't due somewhat to the heavy use of chemicals... b/c there aren't any long-term effects done on them. However, I will note, I've talked to several natural rearing breeders who don't see these issues in their dogs, but do see them in ones who go on to homes that dose monthly with chemicals. Poisons, no matter how much you dislike it, do take a toll on the body eventually. We're being exposed to more and more everyday, add on what we introduce to them on purpose, and you have kidney failure and liver failure being more prevalent. It's tough on the body anytime anything unnatural is introduced, that's basic science. Yes, of course, some of it is genetic, that goes without saying. But again how can you expect the liver to hold up after month after month of pesticides? A lot of the side effects of the main ingredients in these toxins ARE the things you listed.
Yes, I do agree, blood work every year is a good idea. That said, do I do it? No.
Yes, I do agree, blood work every year is a good idea. That said, do I do it? No.
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OntarioSheltie
Forums Celebrity
Yes, also a very good point.
BarbV
Forums Celebrity
5 years ago, I would have said that yearly testing was unnecessary.
And then I got Bacca.
Not a puppy mill, backyard breeder dog - he was from champion lines but one day he woke up with his mouth swollen out of proportion. He was only coming to 2 years old. A series of antibiotics and multiple blood works and at only 2 years old, Bacca is diagnosed as hypo-thyroid and borderline liver disease.
What I learned is that many dogs have the condition LONG before they actually start to exhibit symptoms at 7, 8 , 9 years. I only found it Bacca because of a fluke incident.
So do I believe in periodic testing? Yes, I do. The earlier you can find it, the better able to treat it. I believe that I've been able to avoid obstrusive liver test, simply by maintaing his diet at a moderate protein level and giving him milk thistle supplements.
And then I got Bacca.
Not a puppy mill, backyard breeder dog - he was from champion lines but one day he woke up with his mouth swollen out of proportion. He was only coming to 2 years old. A series of antibiotics and multiple blood works and at only 2 years old, Bacca is diagnosed as hypo-thyroid and borderline liver disease.
What I learned is that many dogs have the condition LONG before they actually start to exhibit symptoms at 7, 8 , 9 years. I only found it Bacca because of a fluke incident.
So do I believe in periodic testing? Yes, I do. The earlier you can find it, the better able to treat it. I believe that I've been able to avoid obstrusive liver test, simply by maintaing his diet at a moderate protein level and giving him milk thistle supplements.
romeosangiovese
Forums Enthusiast
I do yearly testing. Having seen the problems with my fosters (who generally look ok if not a bit skinny, but beneath lie a whole series of health issues), it was something I felt necessary. Too many things can go unnoticed and when it finally manifests itself, it can be too late.
lovemyshelties
Forums Enthusiast
Hubby and I learned the hard way with our first trio of Shelties. We didn't get yearly blood work on them and vaccinated according to our vet's recommendations. BIG mistake.
Our current trio (two rescues and one from a backyard breeder...don't ask) get yearly titers instead of blindly vaccinating them. See: http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/titer_test.htm
We REFUSE to put pesticides (spot on flea and tick products) on our Shelties, but instead use food-grade diatomaceous Earth (sprinkled on their skin and on their bedding, in the yard) to kill fleas and ticks.
And we take them yearly (more often if symptoms pop up) for blood work. Just had our Murphy (adopted in Jan 2011) tested for thyroid disease, and his test results were surprisingly normal even though he's a bit chunky.
Finally, we feed them only kibble and wet food that on the Whole Dog's Journal approved list. No more Sam's Club generic kibble.
If all this seems like a hassle to you, you're not alone, but we do all these things to help ensure a long, healthy life for our three amigos.
Our current trio (two rescues and one from a backyard breeder...don't ask) get yearly titers instead of blindly vaccinating them. See: http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/titer_test.htm
We REFUSE to put pesticides (spot on flea and tick products) on our Shelties, but instead use food-grade diatomaceous Earth (sprinkled on their skin and on their bedding, in the yard) to kill fleas and ticks.
And we take them yearly (more often if symptoms pop up) for blood work. Just had our Murphy (adopted in Jan 2011) tested for thyroid disease, and his test results were surprisingly normal even though he's a bit chunky.
Finally, we feed them only kibble and wet food that on the Whole Dog's Journal approved list. No more Sam's Club generic kibble.
If all this seems like a hassle to you, you're not alone, but we do all these things to help ensure a long, healthy life for our three amigos.