As discussed in previous lessons, feeding a species-appropriate diet with the correct levels of nutrients is essential for your health, well-being, and longevity. As a dog parent, you must assess your condition by observing his body structure, activity level, attitude, and stools.
An annual trip to the veterinarian for blood work and a fecal analysis ensures that your dog is parasite-free and that all organ systems are functioning correctly. To establish baseline blood levels, have your dog tested at an early age to allow his levels to be tracked and compared to levels at times of disease or as he ages.
Commercially Available Tests for Dogs
Aside from an annual exam, commercially available tests provide a much more detailed understanding of how well your body processes the food it is eating. The Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) is a comprehensive analysis that tests for 15 minerals and 17 elements, 7 of which are toxic. A full report is provided on how to use the information discovered.
AnimalBiome is a company that has created a test to determine the makeup of your gut microbiome. Using a small stool sample, they identify the bacteria residing in your dog's gut and compare it to a healthy dog. They provide a comprehensive report with recommended diet and lifestyle changes with this information.
Many other tests are available if you are looking for a specific condition. DNA testing can provide information about your dog's specific breed and any predisposing conditions to which he is prone. You can also request tests for specific infectious diseases, such as Lyme Disease or Leptospirosis.
Monitoring Weight and Body Condition Score
Combining body weight and using a body condition score (BCS) is best to detect weight gain or loss. The dog's BCS is equivalent to the human body mass index (BMI). The BCS is a scale from either 1-5 or 1-9 used, with the highest number indicating obesity in your dog and the lowest number showing that your dog is too thin.
To determine your dog's BCS, you visually and physically examine the fat covering the ribs, the waist, the base of the tail, and the abdomen.
Body Condition Score
Regular Veterinary Testing
Blood Work
Blood tests provide excellent information on the health of your dog's organs. Your veterinarian can choose from various blood work panels to get precise details of suspected diseases, or she can do a general blood serum panel based on your dog's age. Remember, your veterinarian must know about your dog's raw diet as many of his test results are likely to differ from those considered normal based on kibble-fed dogs.
Most often, blood panels are only run once your dog is sick, and the only comparison ranges have been established with kibble-fed dogs. Taking blood panels early in your dog's life sets a baseline for his blood levels when he is young and ideally healthy.
The routine blood tests are the Complete Blood Count (CBC) and serum chemistry profile. The CBC identifies the numbers of white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), and platelets.
WBCs are categorized by type and function to determine if an infection is present within the body. The shape and size of the RBCs are noted as this indicates your dog's oxygen transport capacity.
Another component of the CBC is the hematocrit reading which measures the percentage of red blood cells within whole blood. Although still within normal ranges (37-55%), raw-fed dogs have higher hematocrit levels (51-53%) than dogs fed lower protein dry food (48%).
Blood chemistry panels zero in on disruptions to the organ systems. Annual blood tests will identify your dog's glucose, proteins, electrolytes, cholesterol, and digestive enzyme levels. Specific tests determine the efficiency of the kidney and liver, BUN (the measurement of the waste product from protein synthesis in the liver), and creatinine, reported individually and as a ratio. In raw-fed dogs, these levels are still within established ranges but often on the high end, which may cause your veterinarian unnecessary concern.
Reference values, also called reference ranges, have been established for all domestic animals and humans. These values are determined by testing the blood of a minimum of 40-120 clinically healthy animals of various ages and breeds and both sexes but within the same age group. For example, studies for adult dogs should not include puppies or senior dogs. Different values need to be established for each age group.
However, age is not the only factor to consider when examining blood values. You must remind your veterinarian about the diet you feed your dog.
Raw-fed dogs will have different blood levels than those fed kibble. The accepted ranges that most veterinarians use have been established on kibble-fed dogs. With the increased use of raw diets, blood values based on raw-fed dogs have been published.
Specific Blood Tests to Request
You can request that your veterinarian run specific tests, such as
- T4: If your dog eats too much neck meat or trachea, he could be getting too much thyroid tissue in his meal. Testing for T4 will determine if an overabundance of thyroid hormone is present in his system.
- B12: In general, dogs who consume enough organ meat will have adequate vitamin B12 levels. Additional organ meat may be necessary if a dog's blood test shows a deficiency.
- Folate: Folate is abundant in liver, eggs, and leafy green vegetables. If a dog's blood work shows that it lacks folate, adding a small quantity of liver to its diet may be recommended.
- Vitamin D: A dog's vitamin D levels must stay within a specified range to maintain health. Vitamin D deficiency and excess can cause difficulties in our dogs. Vitamin D deficiency is common in kibble-based dog meals. Added salmon, liver, and eggs, whole foods high in Vitamin D, are recommended for vitamin D deficient dogs. Reduce the amount of seafood if your dog's vitamin D level is high.
- Zinc: Zinc deficiency can be corrected by feeding your dog raw meat and oysters.
- Vitamin E: Vitamin E deficiency is common in raw diets unless supplemented, as natural sources of vitamin E are primarily plant-based. The consumption of fish oil or other polyunsaturated fats increases the need for vitamin E in the diet. Protein-rich meals, such as eggs, are high in vitamin E. Dandelion, spinach, peanuts, and sunflower seeds, among other vegetables and nuts, contain it naturally. Supplementing whole foods or oil may be recommended if your dog has a deficit.
Fecal Analysis
Have your veterinary team preform a fecal ova and parasite screen to screen for hookworms eggs, roundworm eggs, coccidia, and giardia, which cannot be detected with the naked eye. The technician will also note the sample's quality, color, and consistency. Remember, the raw-fed dog's poop color often reflects the contents of his recent meal.
A reddish or dark-colored stool may be typical for your dog if he has recently eaten beets or red meat. However, the technician may mistake the color for blood in the stool, if you have not told the veterinary team that your dog is raw fed.
Urinalysis
A urinalysis (UA) can reveal infections within the kidneys or urinary bladder, kidney or urinary bladder stones, diabetes, and other health conditions. Your dog's hydration status is determined with a UA; concentrated urine indicates dehydration, while dilute urine indicates excessive fluid intake or decreased kidney function.
Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis
Hair tissue mineral analysis (HTMA) is a comprehensive examination of your dog's hair sample to determine the levels of essential minerals and toxic heavy metals. Routine blood work and urinalysis testing cannot capture accurate mineral levels as the body is constantly working to keep minerals in balance. Minerals enter the hair follicle via the bloodstream. As the hair grows, the outer layers harden, at which point there is no way for mineral imbalances to be corrected.
The body uses hair to store toxic compounds and excess minerals to prevent them from entering vital organs. Elevated or deficient mineral levels are revealed much sooner and more dramatically in hair than in other body tissue.
After providing a small hair sample, you will receive a complete report showing your dog's levels of minerals compared to established ranges, including mineral ratios that are vital for maintaining a balanced diet. Minerals tested include calcium, potassium, magnesium, sodium, copper, zinc, iron, manganese, chromium, selenium, boron, cobalt, molybdenum, and sulfur. The significant ratios of Calcium/Phosphorus, Sodium/Potassium, Calcium/Potassium, Zinc/Copper, Sodium/Magnesium, Calcium/Magnesium, and Iron/Copper provide valuable information about how well your dog's body can properly utilize these essential nutrients.
The toxic elements tested include uranium, arsenic, beryllium, mercury, cadmium, lead, and aluminum. Levels of germanium, barium, lithium, nickel, platinum, vanadium, strontium, tin, tungsten, and zirconium are also reported. You can also have glyphosate levels tested.
Another component of the HTMA is an evaluation of the endocrine system to determine if the thyroid, pituitary, and adrenal glands are functioning correctly. Ideally, the three hormone levels are balanced.
The final comprehensive report, written by a licensed veterinarian, details the type of metabolizer your dog is, what follow-up tests should be run by your veterinarian, what deficiencies are present, and recommendations on a diet.
Gut Microbiome Testing
When your dog has a healthy gut microbiome, thousands of microbes make up a diverse and balanced community. The microbiome becomes imbalanced when there is an excess of harmful or a deficiency of beneficial bacteria. Disruptions to the gut result include gastrointestinal tract disorders, skin, and other organs.
Evaluating your dog's gut contents is an easy way to determine the status of your dog's digestive system and if you are feeding him the correct nutrients that support a healthy gut microbiome.
AnimalBiome is a company that performs a comprehensive analysis of your dog's stool to determine the health of his gut microbiome. They just need a small poop sample. When you visit their website, you are asked a series of questions about your dog, including what type of food he is eating. Upon completing the questionnaire, AnimalBiome emails you a pet health assessment that includes directions for ordering a test kit.
Upon receiving your dog's sample, the Gut Health Test uses DNA sequencing to analyze the types of bacteria present. A report of findings is prepared with recommendations on addressing any imbalances found. Suggestions on dietary changes and supplementation are also provided.
Animal Diet Formulator to Evaluate Your Dog's Bowl
If you are concerned that you are not providing the correct balance of nutrients for your dog or are new to raw feeding, the Animal Diet Formulator is a great tool. The ADF was created by Steve Brown, a nutritional researcher and the founder and formulator of the first commercially available fresh-raw pet food in the United States.
Although a subscription is required for regular use, you can get a 7-day trial at AnimalDietFormulator.com. The site is user-friendly and highly informative!
Consult with a Certified Nutritionist
A certified canine nutritionist can assist you in customizing your dog's diet. Every dog has individual needs, so there is no "one size fits all" option for raw feeding. At Real Dog Box, your membership includes a monthly nutrition consultation with one of the certified nutritionists. Keeping a journal of your dog's eating habits, meals provided, and any obvious signs of disease allows you to formulate questions for your monthly consultation call.
Trying to meet NRC or AAFCO guidelines will be particularly challenging when feeding with whole foods only. There are several nutritionists that will offer to create a meal plan based on these guidelines for you. Those recipes will likely need to include synthetic supplements to meet those standards.
Why You Should Use All of the Options
Each of the tests discussed has merits for the information derived. Blood tests look at the blood components and the vitamin and mineral levels circulating at that given moment. Blood tests can also detect infections and organ system disorders. A urinalysis shows how the kidneys are functioning. But these tests are just snapshots of what occurred when the samples were collected.
The HTMA testing detects what's happening inside the dog over a more extended period. It reveals how the dogs respond to the minerals and other chemicals in the body. For example, a dog's deficiency in calcium may take months to years to detect by blood tests and clinical signs due to the body's constant efforts to maintain mineral balances. In contrast, low levels will appear on the hair sample.
The addition of the gut microbiome test provides a thorough look at how supportive your dog's diet is. A balanced community of bacteria in the gut indicates that the diet you are feeding meets your dog's needs. Or the dog's test will highlight areas of deficiency that need to be corrected by modifying the diet.
Utilizing these modalities and monthly nutrition consultations allows for a holistic examination of your dog. Share all information with your veterinarian to develop a wellness plan for your dog. It is a great way to circumvent potential nutrition-based disorders and eliminate those already present, such as allergies and skin issues.
Takeaway Bites
- Regular diagnostic laboratory testing helps to detect health issues early when they are most easily addressed.
- A Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis can reveal mineral imbalances and high levels of toxic elements.
- A fecal microbiome test determines your dog's digestive system status and if you are feeding him the correct nutrients that support a healthy gut microbiome.