Bile Acid Testing
 

I am wondering who out there has used the urine bile test? This sounds so much easier than the fasting bloodwork way. Is it just as reliable? My baby Luna is ready to have hers done.

Thanks

Urine Tests
 

I’m not a huge fan of the urine test specifically for identifying PSS, although we always have a routine urine test on the same day we do blood work on puppies and annually on our adults. Urine shows lots of things that general blood work might miss. So, I think every dog should have a urine sample and blood chemistry each year. … I am also not a huge fan of urine samples taken by owners rather than a vet or tech…. any other method other than cystocentesis (needle extraction) cannot be void of contaminations. Contaminations can be from the vagina / prepuce, hair and skin (even if the urine is “caught” as it is excreted), or the container in which the sample is collected. Once contaminated, it is no longer a diagnostic specimen, just yucky pee in a cup:p. That said, uncontaminated diagnostic urine samples have shown to be very useful in identifying liver enzymes in lots of mammals and suggest possible PSS along with other hepatic issues. The most adequate test is certainly a serum bile acid test. If you are really concerned about PSS, start with the Serum test… If she's not shown any symptoms of PSS such as Neurological dysfunction (hepatoencepholopathy), poor appetite, very sleepy / lazy, vomiting or diarrhea occasionally, and poor coordination to full on seizures after meals, the urine test will probably be fine. However, if even one of the symptoms have presented, opt for the serum test. :arrow:All new parents should have a full blood chemistry done and a urine analysis if your breeder does not do this prior to pick up (ask for documentation to occompany your puppy if in doubt)

Not sure if this is the same thing or not, but when Tucker was neutered they did blood work and never said anything to me about the results. They went ahead with the neuter though so can I assume all is well? Do I need to have any other tests done. Also, if the dog is healthy and isn't displaying any symptoms why would this need to be done every year? Also, is this the same as the heartworm test or something different?

Thanks in advance for any insight!!!

Testing
 

I do the routine uranalysis only b/c it can pick up a laundry list of issues and is relatively inexpensive. My puppies all need both to detect issues prior to sale. I've never had an annual bloodwork or urine test show any problems with my foundation stock, I just feel I owe it to my puppies to make sure nothing is going on with my Dams / Sires.... Many issues can crop up as animals age such as liver or kidney disease, ect...

Most vets complete a CBC prior to surgery of any kind (not to be confused with blood chemistry, so I'm sure that was routine. Although, a seruim test was certainly not part of that bloodwork.

We tests each year b/c our dogs can't tell us if there is an issue, so it is my best ally in monitoring their health.

Here's a list of our wellcheck (same as Dr. Dodd's):

Complete Blood Count (CBC)
anemia, infection, inflammation and blood cells health (both red and white)

Chemistry Tests
Oragan System functions:

Liver: checks for decreased liver function, inflammation, infection, or neoplasia of the liver and gall bladder

Kidney: monitor the function and health of the kidneys. very useful when combined with a urinalysis

Pancreas: issues with pancreas or carbohydrate metabolism

Muscle and Bone: Calcium and Phosphorus levels give insite in to bone formation and health also issues with muscle damage, trauma or inflammation.

Electrolytes: electrolyte deficiencies or excesses are harmful to an animal's physical and mental well-being.

Urinalysis: can detect kidney disease, possible PSS or other hepatic issues

Thank you! This was very helpful!!! :thumbup:

Can you tell me what the names of the tests I should ask for? Not exactly sure what they are called.

Test Needed Annually (IMO only)
 

:)(IMO):)once per year you will want to ask for the following:

1. CBC
2. Full fecal
including giardia which lives in still water, even puddles and coccidia which my vet estimates more than 80% of dogs have but show no symptoms
3. Urinalysis
4. Chemistry Work up
Some vets may not do this or may persuade you not to bother... I'm pretty persistent, so my vet just leaves me alone...

Hi everyone,

I'm thinking its a good idea to check my Yorkie for a liver shunt as it is such a common defect in this breed and I know the sooner they catch it and can hopefully do surgery, the better the odds. My 2 yr. old lhasapoo was just diagnosed.

What ago do you think I should do this at first? I don't know when is too young...he's currently 5 1/2 months.

Should I wait until after I spay him in November?

Anytime after 20 weeks. :)

My vet says 16 weeks.