Any tests I can request for diet?

**Scout08** · 12-30-2011, 12:22 AM

I am going to take Chuck in to the vet in a few weeks to have her legs looked at (she seems to get stiff easily and will lightly limp after exercise) as a safety precaution. I am wondering if I can request any blood tests to see if there are any nutrients she is low on. I feed her a raw food diet and I try to feed as much of variety as I can, but she does usually get mostly chicken quarters and I wonder if I am under feeding red meats. Does anyone know of any tests I can request be done on her?

**Sophiesmama** · 12-30-2011, 12:57 AM

I would tell the vet what you are feeding her, and ask him what tests need to be done to see if she is getting what she needs nutritionally.

**deidra** · 12-30-2011, 09:20 AM

I agree with Pam. Does she have a hard time to get up in the morning to? Or after a nap?

**Tanya** · 12-30-2011, 09:46 AM

talk to the vet but keep in mind many vets do not encourage raw feeding.

How deeply have you researched how to feed raw? She needs more than just chicken legs but organ meats as well. The issue isn't just the type of meat, they can get just chicken/turkey and be ok BUT you absolutely must have organs and other things included.

**Belles mom** · 12-30-2011, 10:15 AM

I agree with Tanya. Most vets are neutral at best about raw, mostly because THEY do not understand it nor have researched it, and it does take a fair amount of research tom do it right. Are you following prey model raw or barf? Are you including fish in the variety? Fish oil is very good for mild stiffness, whether fed as a capsule, or as a "whole" fish (sardines, mackerel etc).

**BigBrownDog** · 12-30-2011, 10:28 AM

In general, vets don't get a ton of training about nutrition. You are better off doing more research yourself about how to properly feed raw. How old is your dog? Do you provide any supplements like glucosamine?

**Scout08** · 12-31-2011, 05:28 PM

I forgot I started is thread! Sorry for the delay in answering questions...
Chuck does get organ meats. We follow the prey diet, she also gets pork neck every 5 days, occasional ground beef, and organs every day. She is about a year and a half old and her limp comes and goes, but it is always on her back right leg and after lots of running. We try to do more swimming than running now, but in the winter that is much more difficult. And yes, she does get fish on occasion and we do not use supplements.

**Baloo317** · 12-31-2011, 05:34 PM

One of the best raw feeding resources I have found is the forum on dogster, surprisingly enough.

Check it out: Dogster Forums - Raw Food Diet

**javasmom** · 12-31-2011, 06:05 PM

Originally Posted by Scout08

I forgot I started is thread! Sorry for the delay in answering questions...
Chuck does get organ meats. We follow the prey diet, she also gets pork neck every 5 days, occasional ground beef, and organs every day. She is about a year and a half old and her limp comes and goes, but it is always on her back right leg and after lots of running. We try to do more swimming than running now, but in the winter that is much more difficult. And yes, she does get fish on occasion and we do not use supplements.

At a year and a half I'd be far more concerned with the leg injury than doing bloodwork to check her nutrient levels.
Sounds like an ACL injury to me.
Her diet should be secondary at this point....get the leg looked at and get a diagnosis. A 1 1/2 year old lab should not be limping and stiff after running and playing. She's got a problem with that knee.

**Tanya** · 12-31-2011, 08:29 PM

Originally Posted by javasmom

At a year and a half I'd be far more concerned with the leg injury than doing bloodwork to check her nutrient levels.
Sounds like an ACL injury to me.
Her diet should be secondary at this point....get the leg looked at and get a diagnosis. A 1 1/2 year old lab should not be limping and stiff after running and playing. She's got a problem with that knee.

Given the diet seems ok - I agree that it is possibly an injury