monique
Hound Nut
That's Leo in the red!
Posts: 1,318
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Post by monique on Apr 8, 2011 9:07:43 GMT -5
Another reason I'd suggest doing a fecal test first is that when my vet had me stop giving Leo any kind of treats/chews and switched him to kangaroo food for a while, I did notice a bit of an improvement. During the time he had hookworms, I did notice that he was overly sensitive to different food and I had to be very careful about what I fed him. I know that hookworms attach themselves to the intestine and can cause irritation/bleeding so looking back, I think having hookworms is what caused him to be very sensitive to certain foods. Once his hookworms were gone, I was able to feed him a big variety of food without big reactions (ex: loose poop). My point is just that if you switch food, you may find a difference but there might be something more behind it.
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quietstorm
Hound Nut
Officially at Capacity!
Posts: 1,593
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Post by quietstorm on Apr 8, 2011 11:50:26 GMT -5
I had a similar situation with Holstein where he had loose stools off and on and the vet wanted me to put him on a vet kibble, various medications and he didn't do the fecal analysis even though I asked him to. A few months later I asked again and hook worm as well as tape worm showed up. Also this vet will not do any analysis without charging you for an examination, which is probably standard but frustrating to me with 3 dogs. My vet will allow me to take in a bag of poop or a urine sample without the full once over - I just drop it off. I think if your dogs are registered clients there that is a standard?? What about others - does everyone pay for a full examination just to have a poop sample checked?
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sugarsmomma
Grey Lover
Maelle captured by the fantastic Leslie Town
Posts: 551
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Post by sugarsmomma on Apr 8, 2011 12:04:33 GMT -5
My vet also allows me to bring in samples without a full examination, or will tell me over the phone whether a visit is justified. He frowns upon vets who charge their patients/clients unnecessarily.
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greytluck
Grey Addicted
Hobbes- Always loved, never forgotten.
Posts: 2,335
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Post by greytluck on Apr 8, 2011 18:25:24 GMT -5
My vet clinic has the same policy about an exam with a fecal but since I've given them so much of my money (I swear Hobbes was there every other week for something or other) they waive a lot of charges for me now. I brought Walleye in recently for a swollen ankle joint and they didn't even charge me an exam fee ( they made their money on the x-rays I'm sure)
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