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Old 01-16-2009, 06:14 AM   #6
Ellie May
And Rylee Finnegan
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Metro Detroit, MI
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If she isn't having surgery and is a young dog, all of this is optional (but a very good idea). At about seven-years-old, it is necessary and every year after (except the bile acids test which may only need to be done once after age 20 weeks).

Complete Blood Count
General Health/Electrolyes Panel (this may be called something different at your vet office but it measures liver enzymes, etc.)
Bile Acids Test (Make sure they send it to a lab and don't do it in-house. It should be two blood draws, not a urine test...that's less accurate)
T4 (thyroid blood test...can probably skip for now but not a bad idea)
Urinalysis

I just got a CBC, General Health Panel and T4 done for Ellie sent to Idexx for about $77. The bile acids test is around $75 here. Urinalysis is about $25.

A little something I didn't know but Ellie's vet explained (most vets would probably rather you didn't know) is that the CBC platelet count in-house may not be too accurate. Even if they offer the CBC in-house, you may want them to send it to a lab, especially if the results come back abnormal the first time. She just sent everything (CBC, blood panel and T4) to Idexx because she says you get more for less. Not sure if all equipment for CBCs is the same though and some vet offices might get more accurate reading than others.
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Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶
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