Annual Check Ups - Page 2 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Ellie May · 08-18-2011, 08:43 PM

It's an individual decision. My dog may get it because I need to be able to board him, but if my chosen place didn't require it I'd be happy. Still thinking about it. Because of the recent into on intranasal not being as effective after the first dose and injectable being needed (all the while there seem to be some concerns over injectable), I'm just not convinced it's a great deal. My dogs are getting over kennel cough and it was not that bad. But I also wouldn't want them to get the disease yearly either. So if I had my choice, I'd see how my dog did without it.

Ellie has never gotten it and never will. Her brother did give her kennel cough. Wasn't a huge thing. She is at a veterinary hospital somewhat often with me and has never gotten it there, but they are pretty good about keeping things clean. I hold her at the petstore and do my own grooming.

margaritaville · 08-19-2011, 04:37 AM

My vet is also recommending every six month visits-these two dogs go to the vet more than I go to the dr!

107barney · 08-19-2011, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mama2yorkies

We would skip bordatella but the day care they go to once in a while and the grooming both require it.

I'm curious about doing blood profile as part of the annual exam that 107barney suggests. I haven't heard of that before and would love to know more.

All of my dogs have annual blood work done at their wellness visits. Some vets do this routinely for every dog but others do it only with older dogs. I like my Heartworm tests to be performed by outside labs not by in-house snap tests. Since the vet has to poke my dog for blood to do a heartworm test, I just have them do a regular chemistry with blood counts and also a urinalysis is performed. I don't like surprises and if my dog has fatty blood or elevations in liver enzymes, or is harboring a subclinical urinary tract/bladder infection, or the many other things that a yorkie can show up with, I want to know about it sooner rather than later. I have seen my dogs' blood work change dramatically from things like diet change -- things I would not have known if I was not doing blood work.

The wellness visit therefore in my view should include a full exam by a veterinarian who is thorough and also should include annual heartworm testing and routine blood work. My idea of prevention is that a stitch in time saves nine.

Ellie May · 08-19-2011, 07:45 AM

We do yearly bloods also, esp. for our older girl. There is really no reason no to in our case. All we have to pay is like $17 on top of the heartworm test and we get a nice view of what is going on. I also like yearly urinalyses.

mama2yorkies · 08-19-2011, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 107barney

All of my dogs have annual blood work done at their wellness visits. Some vets do this routinely for every dog but others do it only with older dogs. I like my Heartworm tests to be performed by outside labs not by in-house snap tests. Since the vet has to poke my dog for blood to do a heartworm test, I just have them do a regular chemistry with blood counts and also a urinalysis is performed. I don't like surprises and if my dog has fatty blood or elevations in liver enzymes, or is harboring a subclinical urinary tract/bladder infection, or the many other things that a yorkie can show up with, I want to know about it sooner rather than later. I have seen my dogs' blood work change dramatically from things like diet change -- things I would not have known if I was not doing blood work.

The wellness visit therefore in my view should include a full exam by a veterinarian who is thorough and also should include annual heartworm testing and routine blood work. My idea of prevention is that a stitch in time saves nine.

I see. Thank you for the information. I think this is a very good idea. Ivan and Iris just had an exam with a new vet this week (we just moved so it was mostly for us to check out the new vet) and he did not suggest this. They aren't due for their yearly heartworm test for a few more months so I will ask about doing blood work then and also a urinalysis. We did just have a titer test for their vaccines done so I wonder if the blood work could have been done then. I hate to have them stick my babies more than necessary.

107barney · 08-19-2011, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mama2yorkies

I see. Thank you for the information. I think this is a very good idea. Ivan and Iris just had an exam with a new vet this week (we just moved so it was mostly for us to check out the new vet) and he did not suggest this. They aren't due for their yearly heartworm test for a few more months so I will ask about doing blood work then and also a urinalysis. We did just have a titer test for their vaccines done so I wonder if the blood work could have been done then. I hate to have them stick my babies more than necessary.

It's no biggie to stick them. I make sure they take blood from the neck. Too many bloody legs over the years and they bite off band-aids and get cranky.

Jennxling · 08-23-2011, 01:04 PM

Okay talked to bf and we decided to get bloodwork for Carmel and Emma and omit the bordetella. We will still see what the vet suggests since they won't be going out the to dog park at all anymore after bf leaves. My question now is, what kind of bloodwork? I called to ask for pricing and they said that they are different ones and we will have to see what the vet suggests. I thought I get suggestions here prior to the vets since many here are more knowledgeable.

We are bringing them on Thursday so we still have some time...Thanks in advance!

08-18-2011, 08:43 PM	#16
Ellie May And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI Posts: 17,928	It's an individual decision. My dog may get it because I need to be able to board him, but if my chosen place didn't require it I'd be happy. Still thinking about it. Because of the recent into on intranasal not being as effective after the first dose and injectable being needed (all the while there seem to be some concerns over injectable), I'm just not convinced it's a great deal. My dogs are getting over kennel cough and it was not that bad. But I also wouldn't want them to get the disease yearly either. So if I had my choice, I'd see how my dog did without it. Ellie has never gotten it and never will. Her brother did give her kennel cough. Wasn't a huge thing. She is at a veterinary hospital somewhat often with me and has never gotten it there, but they are pretty good about keeping things clean. I hold her at the petstore and do my own grooming. __________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶

08-19-2011, 04:37 AM	#17
margaritaville Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: west long branch, n.j. Posts: 4,457	My vet is also recommending every six month visits-these two dogs go to the vet more than I go to the dr! __________________ Joan, Bubba and Sissy-BEWARE OF PUPPY MILLS breathe in, breathe out, move on -jb

08-19-2011, 07:45 AM	#19
Ellie May And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI Posts: 17,928	We do yearly bloods also, esp. for our older girl. There is really no reason no to in our case. All we have to pay is like $17 on top of the heartworm test and we get a nice view of what is going on. I also like yearly urinalyses. __________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶

08-23-2011, 01:04 PM	#22
Jennxling YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: ~CA~ Posts: 1,637	Okay talked to bf and we decided to get bloodwork for Carmel and Emma and omit the bordetella. We will still see what the vet suggests since they won't be going out the to dog park at all anymore after bf leaves. My question now is, what kind of bloodwork? I called to ask for pricing and they said that they are different ones and we will have to see what the vet suggests. I thought I get suggestions here prior to the vets since many here are more knowledgeable. We are bringing them on Thursday so we still have some time...Thanks in advance! __________________ Jen, Carmel Bo & Emma Lynn I knew nothing about love until I met my yorkies!