05/18/2025
It's been a long week, guys, and one thing keeps popping up so let's chat. I know it can be really frustrating and not what you want to hear, but when your dog is suddenly "off", the first rule is to go to the vet. It's not just the vet though, they need a thorough vision/hearing exam, a good orthopedic once over, and the most important, lab work. Sometimes, lab work seems excessive esp in what appears to be a healthy dog. Unfortunately, dogs are masters at hiding health issues, and labs can be your first line of defense.
Annual lab work is really important in every adult dog. I didn't used to be in this court, but experience has taught me differently. Annual lab work can help you catch things in advance. They can also tell you when something is wrong even when your dog isn't showing many signs. Also, while not always an indicator of disease, regular labs can tell you what to keep an eye on in case something additional develops.
As well, annual labs help you to learn what your dog's individual "normal" is. For example, Sally has a lab value that is naturally on the high side (just an fyi, this is common for her breed and her DNA health results confirmed it). In her case, because we have regular labs, we know that this isn't an issue, but in another case, it would be indicative that something is going on.
Whether your dog is purebred or a mix, know your breeds and find online what are common ailments for your breed/breeds. Generally speaking, mixed breed dogs typically aren't as impacted by genetic based issues, but genetics can be a funny thing. Conditions like hip and elbow dysplasia will not show up on lab work, but if your dog has breeds that are prone to things like hypothyroidism, you might add this test to regular lab work and absolutely test for it if they start acting "off". Diabetes, chronic kidney disease, liver issues, Addison's, Cushing's, and chronic pancreatitis can all be caught with lab work.
I understand that in a sea of expensive things, lab work can seem unnecessary. Do your best to get this done on a regular basis, and for sure, ask for them if your pup doesn't seem like him/herself. Happy training!