The Pet Checkup

A pretty comprehensive test that uses a teaspoon-size urine sample from your dog and takes about 5-minutes to do. It's essentially a urine dipstick and costs about $30.

It's not hard to collect the urine - really. Use a paper cup if your dog lifts his leg to pee or the flat lid of a paper container if your dog squats close to the ground to pee.

The manufacturer doesn't make claims about its accuracy, but it's the same materials used in most veterinary tests. Consider it an early warning system.

It tests for, among other problems:

• Diabetes
• Kidney and liver problems
• Urinary tract infections
• Cushing's disease

Especially watch the ph level (normal range is 5.5 to 7.0) and signs of blood in your dog's urine. These are common symptoms of problems that should be discussed with your vet - pronto.

TEST@HOME
Fecal Worm Test Kit

Worms

TEST@HOME Fecal Worm Test Kit for All Pets requires a teaspoon's worth of your dog's feces. You pack it up in the mailer that's in the kit and send it to the lab to be tested.

Results will be back in about 2-3 days. It's prepaid so you don't have any separate lab costs once you've paid the $20-$25 for the product.

Worthwhile especially in households with multiple dogs where worms can easily spread from dog to dog.

Diabetes

AlphaTRAK 2 Blood Glucose Monitoring System Kit is recommended by many veterinarians so owners can monitor their diabetic dog's glucose levels at home.

Stress, environmental factors, and costs can make routine monitoring at a vet's office difficult. It's usually easier on your dog to do this at home.

That doesn't mean it will be easy to get a blood sample from a small dog. Watch the DVD and read the manual that comes in this kit.

If your vet is helpful, ask him/her or the vet tech to show you the best way to get a blood sample. Or, you can call Abbott Labs customer support number. They are extremely helpful.

You'll need to replenish the strips in the kit and most people continue to use the AlphaTRAK 2 Blood Glucose Test Strips because they're made for animals.

I realize human strips are cheaper but they're difficult to decipher for a dog since the scale for measurement is not the same. Unless your a math major, you may find it dauntingly complex.

Managing a diabetic dog requires commitment on an owner's part and regular monitoring of blood glucose level is the most important step you can take.

Routine Tests

If your dog is acting abnormally but you don't see any obvious symptoms, then

• Take your dog's temperature. See http://www.toybreeds.com/temperature.htm#video
• Take your dog's heart rate. See http://www.toybreeds.com/pain.htm#rate
• Observe whether your dog seems to be in pain. See http://www.toybreeds.com/pain.htm

Most importantly, remember the old saying: when in doubt, call the vet!