Full Blood Panel

[Guest alf7199]

When you request a Full Blood Panel for your greyhound what should that include? I am seeking out various vets in the area (for $$ quotes) to get a full work-up done for my boy but need to make sure I am getting the right tests run so I don't have to go again. We are seeking getting him tested to see if there are any underlying medical issues that would be contributing to SA and aggresion. We have spoken with a local trainer and she believes everything I explained to her is workable but wants to be sure with the blood values first. I have seen the various threads and websites about greyhound values being different and will have that infomation with me when going to the vet but want to make sure we get the right stuff done. Thanks!

[sweetdogs]

When you request a Full Blood Panel for your greyhound what should that include?

 

I would do a CBC (complete blood count), a chem panel (chemistry panel), urinalysis & a thyroid test. On that last item, you may want to read the current thread on hypothyroidism to get some perspective (or confusion ). Since one of the things you're looking into is SA & aggression, understanding how the thyroid can come into play will be important. I would probably do a full thyroid panel (I think it's a 6 part test) & have it sent to Michigan State for analysis. If that's what you want, make sure you are very clear with the vet. Some will just run a T4 & leave it at that. Here is the link to the test: MSU thyroid panel. Note that there may some fasting requirements so be aware of that when you make the appointment. And the urinalysis should be a first catch of the morning & brought in that day. Sometimes the vet's office won't tell you that.

 

Good luck with your boy!

[Guest Greytluv]

You can have the blood pulled and send to Hemopet. I can't remember what the cost is for it. I know I just paid $115 for my IG's (yes, I got an IG ) blood panel. That included heartworm.

[sweetdogs]

Thanks for reminding me Greytluv - I knew I would forget something. A snap test (heartworm, lyme, erlichia & anaplasmosis) & a fecal sample would also be considered routine

[kudzu]

There are different opinions on a Full set. For routine wellness screening of younger adults we usually get something like CBC, Chem 12 or 16, SNAP 4dx, & fecal. Wellness for older middle-aged or seniors may get CBC, SuperChem plus T4 & fT4, SNAP 4dx, fecal, urinalysis. In your case I would probably do the equivalent of the senior wellness but opt for the full thyroid panel including antibodies. We've had it done through MSU in the past but I can't find the most recent panel from IDEXX to see if that's who it was referred to this time. Still, you can't go wrong by sending it to MSU.