Hair analysis, also known as hair mineral analysis, has been used for more than 75 years in humans and animals as a way to diagnose mineral deficiencies or to look for high levels of elements in the body.
-
Mineral Deficiencies
-
Hair analysis can search for deficiencies in calcium, chromium, iron, manganese, magnesium, molybdenum, selenium and zinc.
Excesses
-
Hair analysis can also determine if your dog has too much aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, manganese, mercury or nickel in his system.
Advantages
-
Hair analysis can discover problems with toxic elements in the dog's tissues that won't turn up in blood or urine tests, according to the Graceful Earth website.
Procedure
-
A hair sample should be taken from the underside of the neck of the dog. Less than 1 g is needed for analysis, but make sure it is only the 2 inches closest to the dog for the most accurate results.
Washing
-
Dr. Lawrence Wilson recommends using the Analytical Research Labs or Trace Elements Inc., because they don't wash the hair sample, which can adversely affect the results.
-