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Hello Dr V,
Dr V has a blog which is very informative!
http://www.pawcurious.com
Thank you some much for taking the time to answers some of our questions.
Our only goal at Blacklabrador.com is to increase the knowledge of our Lab owners and in turn improve the quality of the Labrador's life!!!!
I just drafted some questions that come up from time to time with our members on the forums! If you could shed some light on all or some of these questions it would be great!
Question 1) How often should an owner bring the dog in for routine checkup... in additions should concerned dog owners do a 6 month urine test for safety purposes if the are concerned about lime, kidney problems , etc!
That's a good question, and one that pet owners ask on a regular basis. I would say at the very least, for a young healthy pet an annual examination is a must. My preference, though, is for a twice yearly exam since that gives me a better opportunity to catch minor problems before they turn into major ones. You'd be surprised how many cases of severe dental disease or ear infections we find in "healthy" pet routine examinations! And of course, if you have an older pet, or one with a chronic condition, your vet may recommend visits at a more routine interval to monitor your pet.
A urinalysis can be a very helpful tool in monitoring a pet's overall health. It is best done in conjunction with bloodwork, since the two together provide an excellent snapshot of kidney function. For young pets, I don't routinely recommend screening urine tests unless there is a concern, but in middle aged to older pets I like to perform a yearly screening. For pets with renal disease or chronic urinary issues, we may recommend it more often.
Question 2) What is the # one common mistake you see dog owners make with respect to care for their dogs health?
Letting their pet become overweight! I assume most of the people reading this will be lab owners, so you are all probably very familiar with the struggles this breed in particular often has with weight, and the subsequent joint problems as they age.
Question 3) Is okay to mix healthy people food like fruits and veggies and some pasta and meats into the diet? ( everything in moderations and nothing to greasy--and you stay away from the don't like nuts,choc ,grapes, onions) You hit on the key points there- in moderation, nothing fatty, and nothing toxic! Anything fried needs to stay out of the bowl, but some steamed veggies, lean broiled chicken breast without the skin or plain rice here and there is OK. The main thing is to take those calories into account and adjust the dog food ration accordingly, and to make sure those additions don't comprise more of the dish than the balanced food your pet is eating. If you find yourself cooking quite a bit and want to take on a home-cooked diet for your pet, there are lots of resources out there for creating a balanced menu from home.
My favorite additions are green beans, carrots, and apples. Here's a list of some of the most problematic foods to avoid: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1659&aid=1030 <http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1659&aid=1030>. If there's any question about whether a food is OK for your dog, run it by your vet.
Question 4) is it normal for dogs to get fatty deposits as they get older?
I assume by "fatty deposits" you're talking about lipomas (http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=2551 <http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=2551>). The first would be a diffuse fatty deposition, while a lipoma is a discrete fatty mass under the skin. I wouldn't say they are normal, but they are very common, and usually not a cause for immediate concern.
Most lipomas are benign. The problem is, some can grow to very large sizes; others may look like benign fatty deposits but actually be something more sinister such as a liposarcoma. The best course of action is to have your vet take a peek the next time your pet is in, just to be safe.
Question 5) Should dog owners continue to give their dogs all the recommended shots that we all think are normal and healthy throughout the dogs life??
Another tricky and very important question! The number one thing to keep in mind with your dog is this: Every dog is different. It's impossible to recommend a "one size fits all" vaccination requirement that is right for every dog. I have seen too many undervaccinated dogs die from preventable disease, but I have also seen pets with some significant vaccine reactions. It is a delicate balance.
I've summarized my feelings on a past blog post, which you can look over if you're interested: http://www.pawcurious.com/2009/09/how-to-vaccinate-a-dog-in-13244-easy-steps/. The basic gist is this:
1. All dogs should receive their core vaccinations as puppies, and again at one year.
2. The subsequent boosting interval depends on the vaccine itself as well as the lifestyle and risk factors of the dog.
3. Use of "non-core" vaccinations (bordetella and lyme are two common examples) should be a decision that you and your vet make based upon your pet's lifestyle and health.
A young hunting dog in the Northeast who goes to shows and boards a lot will not get the same recommendations as an elderly toy breed from New Mexico with a history of allergic reactions.
Bottom line is, don't be afraid to talk to your vet and ask to be involved in the decision making process!
Question 6) What is the number one thing a dog owner can do in your opinion to keep their dogs healthy over the long term ?
Feed them well. And by that, I mean a high quality diet in an amount that keeps them at a good weight. Avoid foods laden with dyes, corn, and by-product fillers. Learn to read labels.
And tied for number two: Find a vet you trust, one who is willing and able to be a partner in your pet's health.
Another vital and often overlooked key to longevity is to invest in some basic training. It may not affect your dog's health directly, but having a dog with good manners goes such a long way to creating and preserving that long term bond with a family.
Thank You very much for helping us help other dog owners become better owners!
Sincerely,
Ron
Dr V has a blog which is very informative!
http://www.pawcurious.com
Thank you some much for taking the time to answers some of our questions.
Our only goal at Blacklabrador.com is to increase the knowledge of our Lab owners and in turn improve the quality of the Labrador's life!!!!
I just drafted some questions that come up from time to time with our members on the forums! If you could shed some light on all or some of these questions it would be great!
Question 1) How often should an owner bring the dog in for routine checkup... in additions should concerned dog owners do a 6 month urine test for safety purposes if the are concerned about lime, kidney problems , etc!
That's a good question, and one that pet owners ask on a regular basis. I would say at the very least, for a young healthy pet an annual examination is a must. My preference, though, is for a twice yearly exam since that gives me a better opportunity to catch minor problems before they turn into major ones. You'd be surprised how many cases of severe dental disease or ear infections we find in "healthy" pet routine examinations! And of course, if you have an older pet, or one with a chronic condition, your vet may recommend visits at a more routine interval to monitor your pet.
A urinalysis can be a very helpful tool in monitoring a pet's overall health. It is best done in conjunction with bloodwork, since the two together provide an excellent snapshot of kidney function. For young pets, I don't routinely recommend screening urine tests unless there is a concern, but in middle aged to older pets I like to perform a yearly screening. For pets with renal disease or chronic urinary issues, we may recommend it more often.
Question 2) What is the # one common mistake you see dog owners make with respect to care for their dogs health?
Letting their pet become overweight! I assume most of the people reading this will be lab owners, so you are all probably very familiar with the struggles this breed in particular often has with weight, and the subsequent joint problems as they age.
Question 3) Is okay to mix healthy people food like fruits and veggies and some pasta and meats into the diet? ( everything in moderations and nothing to greasy--and you stay away from the don't like nuts,choc ,grapes, onions) You hit on the key points there- in moderation, nothing fatty, and nothing toxic! Anything fried needs to stay out of the bowl, but some steamed veggies, lean broiled chicken breast without the skin or plain rice here and there is OK. The main thing is to take those calories into account and adjust the dog food ration accordingly, and to make sure those additions don't comprise more of the dish than the balanced food your pet is eating. If you find yourself cooking quite a bit and want to take on a home-cooked diet for your pet, there are lots of resources out there for creating a balanced menu from home.
My favorite additions are green beans, carrots, and apples. Here's a list of some of the most problematic foods to avoid: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1659&aid=1030 <http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1659&aid=1030>. If there's any question about whether a food is OK for your dog, run it by your vet.
Question 4) is it normal for dogs to get fatty deposits as they get older?
I assume by "fatty deposits" you're talking about lipomas (http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=2551 <http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=2551>). The first would be a diffuse fatty deposition, while a lipoma is a discrete fatty mass under the skin. I wouldn't say they are normal, but they are very common, and usually not a cause for immediate concern.
Most lipomas are benign. The problem is, some can grow to very large sizes; others may look like benign fatty deposits but actually be something more sinister such as a liposarcoma. The best course of action is to have your vet take a peek the next time your pet is in, just to be safe.
Question 5) Should dog owners continue to give their dogs all the recommended shots that we all think are normal and healthy throughout the dogs life??
Another tricky and very important question! The number one thing to keep in mind with your dog is this: Every dog is different. It's impossible to recommend a "one size fits all" vaccination requirement that is right for every dog. I have seen too many undervaccinated dogs die from preventable disease, but I have also seen pets with some significant vaccine reactions. It is a delicate balance.
I've summarized my feelings on a past blog post, which you can look over if you're interested: http://www.pawcurious.com/2009/09/how-to-vaccinate-a-dog-in-13244-easy-steps/. The basic gist is this:
1. All dogs should receive their core vaccinations as puppies, and again at one year.
2. The subsequent boosting interval depends on the vaccine itself as well as the lifestyle and risk factors of the dog.
3. Use of "non-core" vaccinations (bordetella and lyme are two common examples) should be a decision that you and your vet make based upon your pet's lifestyle and health.
A young hunting dog in the Northeast who goes to shows and boards a lot will not get the same recommendations as an elderly toy breed from New Mexico with a history of allergic reactions.
Bottom line is, don't be afraid to talk to your vet and ask to be involved in the decision making process!
Question 6) What is the number one thing a dog owner can do in your opinion to keep their dogs healthy over the long term ?
Feed them well. And by that, I mean a high quality diet in an amount that keeps them at a good weight. Avoid foods laden with dyes, corn, and by-product fillers. Learn to read labels.
And tied for number two: Find a vet you trust, one who is willing and able to be a partner in your pet's health.
Another vital and often overlooked key to longevity is to invest in some basic training. It may not affect your dog's health directly, but having a dog with good manners goes such a long way to creating and preserving that long term bond with a family.
Thank You very much for helping us help other dog owners become better owners!
Sincerely,
Ron
