Meet Harry, the Paw Print OG! 🐶

What I discovered about my own dog and why I started Paw Print Health

Our Cavoodle Harry has always been a lively, much loved part of our family. But a little while ago, I noticed he was starting to slow down. He’d limp occasionally, or seem stiff when standing up after a nap. At first, we put it down to age (although he's not yet at an age where this should be happening) or a pulled muscle. Our vet wasn’t overly concerned either.

But as time went on, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something more was going on. He also started getting an upset stomach every now and then. That’s when I decided to run some tests on him, the same tests we now offer to other dog owners.

Finding the answers

The Paw Print kit we used tested for two things:

• DNA health risks, including inherited diseases;
• Food and environmental sensitivities, which can affect digestion, skin, and more.

The test was simple: a saliva swab and fur sample, then back to the lab for analysis. A few weeks later, we had our results, and they were eye opening.

A potential spinal issue

Harry’s DNA revealed a genetic risk for Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD), a degenerative spinal condition that can lead to pain or even paralysis. Suddenly, those occasional limps and stiffness made sense. We weren’t dealing with a pulled muscle. We were potentially looking at something much more serious.

Dietary triggers uncovered

His allergy results showed sensitivities to beef, soy, lactose and some grains. Given his talent for scavenging scraps from toddlers, this explained his recurring tummy issues.

Taking action

With this knowledge in hand, we made a few simple but powerful changes:

• We removed trigger foods from Harry’s diet and educated the kids on which treats are off limits.

• We stopped letting him jump in and out of cars etc and added joint support supplements to his routine.

• Most importantly, we took the DNA findings to our vet and had a more focused, informed discussion about Harry’s spine, which is now being treated via regular injections.

Today, Harry is doing great. And I’m convinced that having this insight early has added years of comfort and mobility to his life.

Why Paw Print Health matters

This experience is exactly why I started Paw Print. Too often, we wait for something to go wrong with our pets before acting. But the truth is, a little proactive knowledge can go a long way toward helping them live longer, healthier lives.

If you’re curious about your own dog’s hidden health risks or want to get ahead of problems before they start, I hope you’ll consider starting with a Paw Print Health test. It made all the difference for Harry, and it could for your dog too.