8 Items That Every Dog Owner Must Know When Going To The Vet

Article Title: 8 Items That Every Dog Owner Must Know When
Going To The Vet
Author: Michael Whitman

1. Your veterinarian is one of the most important people in
your dog's life. You should choose your veterinarian just as
you select your own doctor, by reputation and quality of
service. You and your dog should feel at ease with this
professional. You need to feel that you can trust your
veterinarian, especially in an emergency situation.

2. Be sure that you have stated your own goals and your
intentions with your dog so that your veterinarian can know
what you are expecting. Your dog's health depends on your being
able to work together with your vet.

3. When you have a puppy, you will be visiting your vet many
times during the first year. After that, establish a routine by
visiting every six months for fecal and physical examinations
and once a year for a complete work up, including blood tests.
Use this as a preventative measure. Dog's cannot tell you where
it hurts or if they are not feeling very well. Preventative
medicine can put years on your dog's life.

4. When having blood work done, make sure that your dog has
fasted at least 12 hours before the test.

5. Blood work and urinalysis need to be handled very carefully.
In some of the tests, there is a time factor involved.

6. Some differences in clinical chemistries exist between
breeds. German Shepherd Dogs, for example, tend to be lower
than other breeds in glucose, LDH, alkaline phosphatase, BUN,
and uric acid. Their amylase and transaminase may be higher.
Phosphorus and SGPT were found to be higher in Beagles and
Labrador Retrievers.

7. Your best guide is the comparison of your own dog's test
results. Establish what is normal and be sure that the tests
are run always using the same laboratory.

8. If you have made the decision to change your dog's diet from
commercial dog food to a natural diet, have blood drawn before
you change. You should have a CBC, a chemistry screen or
profile and also a fecal analysis done. One month after putting
your dog on the new diet, have the same tests run. This will
give you a basis for comparison. Changing to a natural diet
often puts a dog who had health problems back into balance.

About The Author: Michael Whitman is a dog behavior expert and
considered by many to be the foremost expert on dog behavior in
the country. http://www.dogtrainingmethod.com

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