Guest sweetpea Posted April 20, 2012 Share Posted April 20, 2012 So the dogs have their annual exam next Thursday. Both are fine, it's just time. So my question is, how "essential" is it that their poop be screened? What exactly are they looking for? Is it just to check for worms? The reason I ask is, even at Sweetpea's worst tummy troubles, nothing ever came up on her poop screens. Now that we have her GI issues managed, and since they're both leash walked at all times (no yard) so I'm inspecting their poop every day myself, would there be any harm in skipping the poop screen? Thanks for any input, I know it's not the most scintillating topic, but, well, there you go. Buzzy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BatterseaBrindl Posted April 20, 2012 Share Posted April 20, 2012 Unless they're having digestive issues or runny poop, I would not do it. Ditto for urine testing. Our vet does not do either at their annual 'wellness checkup'. Nixon has been here for 2 years, Ruby for 8 months and neither of them have had theirs checked. Their poop has always been pretty good...even better now we've switched to raw. Nigel was bounced to us in December, and as his previous home said he had 'poop issues', we had his tested for parasites. The poop tested fine ....and he does not have any issues at all. Quote Nancy...Mom to Sid (Peteles Tiger), Kibo (112 Carlota Galgos) and Joshi. Missing Casey, Gomer, Mona, Penelope, BillieJean, Bandit, Nixon (Starz Sammie), Ruby (Watch Me Dash) Nigel (Nigel), and especially little Mario, waiting at the Bridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OwnedBySummer Posted April 20, 2012 Share Posted April 20, 2012 In all my years with dogs... I've never done a routine poop or urine analysis. It's never even occurred to me and the vet has never asked. I don't think it's necessary unless you have suspicions or some other reason. Quote Lisa B. My beautiful Summer - to her forever home May 1, 2010 Summer Certified therapy dog team with St. John Ambulance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted April 20, 2012 Share Posted April 20, 2012 Fecal: Looking for worms. 6 of one, half dozen of the other. I don't usually do an annual unless we've been having problems; more likely to do one a month or so after we've been out and about in certain places, if I need one for a class, etc. I usually do an annual urinalysis and bloodwork (CBC + chemistry) if we haven't had one lately. Quote Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greysmom Posted April 20, 2012 Share Posted April 20, 2012 Urinalysis is more important than fecal exam, unless you suspect worms or bloody stools for some reason. I probably wouldn't. Quote Chris - Mom to: Felicity (DeLand), and Andi (Braska Pandora) siggy by Chris Harper, on Flickr Angels: Libby (Everlast), Dorie (Dog Gone Holly), Dude (TNJ VooDoo), Copper (Kid's Copper), Cash (GSI Payncash), Toni (LPH Cry Baby), Whiskey (KT's Phys Ed), Atom, Lilly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted April 20, 2012 Share Posted April 20, 2012 Fecal analysis-- actually its recommended to be run multiple times a year however, I believe most vets are happy if clients submit stool once a year. The test is looking for intestinal parasites-- something your dog can harbor without clinical signs. A dog producing "normal" stool can have a worm burden. I'm a firm believer in also running a yearly chem/CBC/urine panel -- in a younger dog a simple panel can be run and as a dog ages a more comprehensive panel should be run. Ok- a huge pet peeve of mine is that bloodwork is often run on a dog that is unwell but, a baseline panel was never run earlier so, you don't have a comparison. It's always a greyt idea to know the "norm" for your dog before he or she becomes sick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burpdog Posted April 20, 2012 Share Posted April 20, 2012 Unless there is a problem, I never get a fecal done and even if there is, I do panacur before I do a fecal. I would do a urine test if there has not been one done recently. I would also do blood work once a year. Quote Diane & The Senior Gang Burpdog Biscuits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.