Zeke going to my vet today. What should I have done?
In my mind, it should be: - poop check - pee check - regular thorough examination - full blood panel (as a baseline for future reference) - heartworm - snap 4dx - I think he needs to be chipped. Will have to scan first. - any shots, if needed But what about having all his joints checked (without x-rays for now)? Is that part of the regular exam? Can they tell anything when they manipulate the joints? And then there is the MDR-1 test; does the vet do that? Any other genetic tests that should be performed? Any other tests that should be done while there? Thanks. |
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| MDR-1 is a Washing State lab check, you request a swab and firm, rub the swab inside the mouth and send it back. A thorough exam will probably include a joint evaluation thru manipulation. Crunchies can be felt and decide from there. Any pain in manipulation will be noted. Xrays are above and beyond and $$$. Vet may have you walk him up and down to note gait problems, but unreliable in the vet's office due to short walking and overall excitement. Most go with if no need, don't bother. Teeth will be examined to determine need for cleaning or more extensive work. The blood panel will show a lot: kidneys, thyroid, etc. If you suspect thyroid problems ask vet if she/he familiar with Dr. Dobbs' work with OES. California based vet who relies on several different thyroid tests, not just one. OES have a propensity to run low which leads to other problems as we have discussed here. Other tests like eyes and ears, probably not necessary unless you suspect something. Hearing..........age. Eyes..........age. Sounds like you have a good list for an initial visit. |
| We're back. Zeke is in pretty good shape. Heart & lungs sound great. Teeth look good. He's about 10 pounds overweight, so I'll work at taking that off of him. He's heartworm and Lyme negative. He has yeast infections in both ears, so I have some medicine for that. He got a Lyme booster and has been chipped. Poop & pee looked good and the blood work results will be back tomorrow. He's a little stiff in the back end, more so on the right, but no popping or clicking. As you know, any kind of diagnosis can't be made without x-rays, which we can do at a later date. He's got a case of the itchies, most evident on his feet. All of the fur between his pads is stained dark from his saliva. Vet said to get him switched off the crap food and onto the good food before we start looking at other possible causes. He's really sleepy tonight. He's lying down with his head up but he can't keep his eyes open. His head drifts down and then he raises it again.  |
| Awww. How old is Zeke? Stiffness and tenderness in rear is not uncommon in older pups. Probably some arthritis supplements won't hurt either. First the better food and attention to the ears........that might also improve once the food quality is better--one of the reasons I took Kensie off grains. Sometimes food allergies show up as ear infections. He's going to be feeling much better under your care. Lucky boy. |
| He'll be 7 on New Year's Eve. The vet did say we could start him on Dasaquin at any time. And I thought it was early when Brick went on it at 8.6 years. Geez. |
| Sounds like a pretty good report for Zeke. None of my OES have had ear infections, but right now lab Biscuit is just getting over his 1st ever (and yes - yeast as well). Just finished the drops. He had a recheck last Monday and our vet has a fiber optic scope with a small viewing screen - looked 100% improved over the initial visit.  You always could go the glucosamine chondroitin route (and I also add in MSM and hylauronic acid at times as well) for now if he's fine. I do that preventatively on mine. |
| I've been out of the loop a bit - work going on at my house and not much computer time. Sounds like Zeke is a new pup for you? How many do you have? I forget. Sounds like Zeke is in good shape - except for the ears and sounds like that is being taken care of. The itch feet - we have that problem until the colder months. I think ours stems from walking in the wet grass. I sometimes put powder in betwwen the "toes" to keep the area drier. But have heard the food can cause itchies too. Good Luck. Don't know how you came about adopting Zeke but he is in good hands now  |
Ashley wrote: I've been out of the loop a bit - work going on at my house and not much computer time. Sounds like Zeke is a new pup for you? How many do you have? I forget. Sounds like Zeke is in good shape - except for the ears and sounds like that is being taken care of. The itch feet - we have that problem until the colder months. I think ours stems from walking in the wet grass. I sometimes put powder in betwwen the "toes" to keep the area drier. But have heard the food can cause itchies too. Good Luck. Don't know how you came about adopting Zeke but he is in good hands now Zeke was Mark's dog before, but went to live with an ex when she became an ex. Now he's back and he will definitely have a better life with Mark. |
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