pulling a baseline

[dobesign]

I would like to do some informal research here to dispell or prove a few myths that are as common as the "if your dog's nose is dry it is sick' or 'scooting means worms' diagnoses. I would first like to know how many folks draw annual bloodwork baselines. These are done when an animal is NOT sick. It is used to compare a deviation should one occur. I have been told I was crazy for this, but time and again I find it valuable beyond words. Second, I would be curious to know if we did an informal and anonymous survey where those that DID a baseline plug in numbers associated with the baselines (example cpk=#). No names, no dog names, no dates. Just bloodwork results. No he said she said. Just flat out data for us ALL to see.
In these days of litigious witchhunts, I would like some folks to feel that they can use real information (not the story from the salon info) and know one way or another. I'm seeing so many labels chucked around, labels with horrible and terrifying underpinnings. We need to know exactly what the Monster under the Bed looks like so that we can know how to defeat it.
How many of you would participate? I have 4 dogs that are on board...

[Elaine]

We (Dr. Arthur and I) have been ignorant beyond words in not pulling an annual baseline for our dogs. THere is simply no excuse for this. We have evaluations after the onset of symptoms, but have never done a routine baseline. As I recall, our reasoning was something like: “Our dogs are healthy, it’s expensive, we’re not measuring stable traits, and what would be the point?” If I could smack us both upside the head I would.:mad:

From now on, we will do a blood panel BEFORE we let a puppy go out the door, it will be a part of our Health Certificate… along with the physical examine, inoculations and worming records. That blood panel is an invaluable reference tool, and may disclose a potential problem well in advance. At the very least, a buyer benefites from having as much information as possible at the time they agree to give their heart and soul to a puppy.

[doberdogsfd]

I agree 100% with Brenna. I have done this since I have been in dobermans....about 20 yrs now. I do a base line starting at 2 and it is done annually.
The cost is minimal, especially if it shows a deviation at some point that can be treated simply and early.

Vaako is just 27 months old, he had his in Feb when he was OFA'd. Emma goes in May every year.

V' is Normal; thyroid, not much of a suprise and his Chem/CBC organ functions are Normal....he is in excellent health and condition per/ my vets.

All of my dogs health testing will be posted on my site when it goes live.


Brenna, I would be happy for forward you results and data if you would like.
I believe this to be a huge sourse of good info as well as great conversation on DSNN.

Cheryl

[dobesign]

I think that an anonymous survey would be really helpful. No one needs to know who (except the owner or breeder) but to be able to say of 100 people polled one had high X and one had low Y. Now to compare this to statistics for dogs or human occurrence, we have something occurring in a population more or less frequently than we should. In example, dogs with high CPK have a very significant bearing to the doberman, as does the BUN and SGPT or the PTT/APTT. I think that folks who really WANT to have an intelliegent conversation about the health of our dogs should know what the tests show. Just to be able to say one is related to heart or muscle, one kidney, one liver, and one the circulatory system would be a great start.

[Betty]

I agree, we all should be getting bloodwork on our dogs the minute they first walk in the door and yearly thereafter. I will be taking Ralph in next month for her annual blood draw for heartworm and I will get a complete panel on her then. Ralph has had panels done but they have not been on a regular basis... we will mend our ways.

What we need to understand, however, is that when values come back in the normal range, it is not necessarily a sign that all is well. In renal failure, the lab values (BUN and Creatinine) can remain in the normal range until more than 50% of renal function is lost, certainly creating a false sense of security. That is significant because, unlike the liver, the kidneys will not regenerate.... when the kidney cells die, they are gone forever.

The thing we have to do is be ever vigilant and do the best we can with the tools we have. Be aware of your dog and his history. I think this "mini database" is a great idea. A good starting point for serious discussion.. When Ralph gets her updated values, she will be happy to participate!

Betty