When I was working as a veterinary technician, I had an experience with one of my dogs that reinforced an important lesson for all pet owners. As part of my routine, I ran annual lab tests on my pets, even the young, healthy ones, to establish baselines and monitor their health. It gave me peace of mind and allowed me to track important indicators like vitamin levels and organ function.

One year, I took my five-year-old dog, who was always healthy and raw-fed, for her routine checkup. I sent her blood and urine samples to the lab, expecting the usual clean bill of health. However, when the results came in, I was startled to find that her urine pH was 9, which was dangerously high, and the lab reported a significant amount of struvite crystals in her urine. This raised concerns, as struvite crystals can form stones, potentially leading to serious urinary issues.

Despite the lab results, my dog wasn’t showing any signs of discomfort—she was urinating normally and didn’t appear to be in pain. Still, I took precautions, starting her on a urine acidifier to lower her pH and prevent stone formation. However, something didn’t feel right, and I decided to do my own follow-up testing.

Four days later, I brought her to the clinic where I was working at the time. I performed an X-ray to check for stones, but everything looked perfectly normal. Her bladder and kidneys appeared healthy, and there was no sign of inflammation or stones. To be thorough, I ran a fresh urinalysis using in-house lab equipment. This time, the results were completely different. Her urine pH was 7—normal—and there were no struvite crystals at all. I double-checked with another brand of test strips and even looked under the microscope myself. There was nothing to indicate any issues. It became clear that the initial lab results were incorrect.

Had I taken the lab’s report at face value, I could have ended up putting my dog on a long-term prescription diet for a problem she didn’t even have. Many pet owners receive similar advice based on lab results, without considering that mistakes happen. And what’s worse, there could have been another pet out there with a true urinary problem who wasn’t getting the treatment they needed because of a mix-up in the lab.

This wasn’t the only time I encountered errors with test results or misdiagnoses. In another case, I had a veterinarian misinterpret a specific tick titer test. This wasn’t the standard 4DX Plus test, but a specialized one that cost me $400 at the time. Unfortunately, the incorrect interpretation led to months of confusion and costly medical interventions. After MRIs and multiple emergency visits, it became clear that my dog had been misdiagnosed from the start. When I requested her records, including the titer results, it was glaringly obvious that the test hadn’t been interpreted correctly. It was a long, expensive journey to arrive at the correct diagnosis.

The moral of both of these stories is clear: as pet owners, we must be proactive advocates for our animals. Even with trusted professionals, it’s crucial to ask questions, seek second opinions, and follow up on any concerning test results. Misdiagnoses and lab errors can happen, and simply taking extra steps to confirm information can save time, money, and prevent unnecessary treatments or stress for your pet.

Reflecting on these experiences, I’m thankful that I trusted my instincts and took the time to double-check my dogs’ results. It’s a reminder that no one knows your pet better than you, and being diligent in their healthcare is one of the most important things you can do for their well-being. Ultimately, ensuring your pet gets the best possible care means staying informed, asking questions, and not being afraid to double-check the details.