|
Post by migsy on Nov 19, 2014 21:46:38 GMT
Is anyone elses dog scared of visiting the vet? Skip is a complete nightmare,no kidding. He first showed it when the vet tried to give him the Kennel Cough vaccine (which is only a quick puff up the nose) when he was quite young,then another visit to have his anal glands emptied wasn't very pleasant so even going for booster jabs became a problem.I have never owned a dog who was such a wuss at the vets. I have even taken him to the vets for his tooth gel to let him know each visit doesn't result in something unpleasant. We took him today for his boosters and a check over as he has what we hope is just a fatty lump under his arm,and coughs after he has had a drink. Our vets are great,and perfectly nice with him,but he still freaked out,even nurse and vet had no luck getting a muzzle on him.I feel so sorry for them.Anyway,he has tranquilizers for his next appointment...think we need them too.The vet offered to loan us a muzzle to get him used to having one on,using treats to help,which was a great idea,but had thought about doing that so decided to buy one,as although he has been such a healthy dog,it's more likely as he gets older that he will at some point need treatment,and the situation as it is is just barmy. I took him with me to his favourite shop P.A.H. where a very nice young man chatted to him and gave him a biscuit,then when I told him I was actually looking for a muzzle,but was confused as the style of the Baskerville ones used by the vet had changed,he found what looked the correct size,and Skip calmly allowed him to put it against his face,which amazed me.Probably because there there wasn't the smell associated with being at the vets.It has given me hope that he will accept the muzzle without too much trouble,as the idea is for him to feel comfortable with it,then put it on before we put him in the car for his appointment. As people have said,rescue dogs have so many unpleasant things done to them like vaccinations,micro chipping,neutering before they can be rehomed,some don't forget, so don't like vets,also that collies sometimes think too much,so assume something unpleasant is about to happen.Both make complete sense to me. Fingers crossed we have found the answer to our vets nightmare.
|
|
|
Post by alfiemummy on Nov 19, 2014 22:02:31 GMT
I feel your pain We have real trouble at the vets too, although you sound like you have a rougher time than us! Alfie makes me laugh as he never remembers where we are in the car park and pulls excitedly to get to where we're going. As soon as we hit the door he stops dead and starts pulling back to the car lol, silly boy! In the waiting room he makes a real nuisance of himself and won't stop barking and growling at the poor receptionist trying to take phone calls. When he's not trying to escape he will hide under my legs/chair and shake. When we are on the vets table he tries to jump off and isn't happy being restrained even for basic checks, he struggles so much the nurse usually has to restrain him for me. Thankfully he has never needed a muzzle! He doesn't growl or bark at the vets in the consultation room, only in the waiting room. Treats help a little but don't distract him for long. He is clever though as he knows who works in the vets lol! How does he know the receptionist is evil but other humans in the waiting room are fine to say hello to?
|
|
|
Post by caz2golden on Nov 19, 2014 22:11:43 GMT
Just thinking ahead!! After training him to have it on and off at home, is it worth putting it on and driving him to a few walks etc before you put it on and to take him to the vets? (+ a few times after the vets) If the first time out is to the vets he might automatically associate the muzzle the following time for the vets. Collies are just too clever for their own good Mine go into reception area relatively regularly for weight checks so walking in the first door is quite normal. If I sit for appointment then one of my dogs gets 'worried'. However she is fine in with the vet. Good luck with your next appointment.
|
|
|
Post by migsy on Nov 19, 2014 23:28:35 GMT
Sorry to hear you have problems too alfiemummy,but relieved we are not the only ones. Thank you so much for that tip caz,It never crossed my mind he would twig the vet visit with the muzzle,collies certainly are too clever for their own good,they sure keep us on our toes while outwitting us! Skip drags us from the car through the door into the vets,past the consulting room and into the waiting room where he is happy and relaxed,wagging his tail at new arrivals,almost as though it's a social occasion. He only shows his fear when we get to the consulting room door with the vet.Then once inside tries to escape,get under a chair,or backs into a corner. Most dogs who are scared shake or even cry,but let vet get on with his job without a fight,so it was quite a shock to see Skips display of fear,no dog I have owned has been that fearful.I quickly stopped my husband when I realised he was about to give Skip a biscuit after we put Skip into the car,he hadn't realised it would be rewarding him for making a fuss.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 20, 2014 7:54:10 GMT
Alfie makes me laugh as he never remembers where we are in the car park and pulls excitedly to get to where we're going. As soon as we hit the door he stops dead and starts pulling back to the car lol, silly boy! My first dog Lady was like that too Then she would sit on my knee and bury her head into my armpit Our vets are a small branch with a nice open waiting room so when I get my dog I plan to just pop in every now and then on a regular basis, perhaps weekly, and just sit chatting to the receptionist and possibly even do a weekly weigh-in for a few minutes and then go so my dog doesn't automatically assume she's there to be poked and prodded and have sharp things stuck into her
|
|
|
Post by smilesbetter on Nov 21, 2014 22:01:23 GMT
I'm quite lucky I guess, my family dog Sasha LOVES going to the vets. We always book an appointment between non-dig appointments so there's no chance of meeting a dog there, and she leaps onto the table desperetely excited to say hello to the vet. The only problem is that she's so excited to be there, that the vet can't get anything done without being licked! Even my two Scottish Cats love the vets, Smudgie licks the vet too and Bramble goes there on her lead and likes exploring the waiting room (again between non-dog appointments).
Not so sure about Rosa though, after the time she got her nails badly clipped she is scared to have her feet handled and I wonder what she'll be like on our next vet visit. Think I'll take @gillykat 's idea and pop in with Rosa for a few weigh-ins. Carlotta used to be fine with the vet, until the last time when they put a thermometer up her bum without any warning (Not that you can really prepare a cat for that) and she did an impressive backflip off the table.
I have however seen many dogs being dragged into the vets and then dragging their owner out of the building afterwards. Can't blame them, I'd do the same at the dentists!
|
|
|
Post by migsy on Nov 21, 2014 22:56:59 GMT
Oooow I remember the nail clipping episode,that was crazy and cruel,poor Rosa,hope it hasn't traumatised her. It's unpleasant or painful treatment that cause these extreme reactions,and you can't explain to a pet it wont happen again. Fingers crossed Rosa is more robust and has forgotten all about it,some pets are amazing how they placidly tolerate uncomfortable treatment without objection.
|
|
|
Post by alfiemummy on Nov 21, 2014 22:59:48 GMT
Alfie never used to mind the vets until the time after he went in to be neutered He has never forgiven them!
|
|
|
Post by scallywag on Nov 21, 2014 23:05:26 GMT
Alfie never used to mind the vets until the time after he went in to be neutered He has never forgiven them! Beaus showing similar signs since his cruciate op
|
|
|
Post by spider on Nov 21, 2014 23:12:44 GMT
Alfie never used to mind the vets until the time after he went in to be neutered He has never forgiven them! i think thats kinda hard thing to forgive him for moonbeam is the same the first time he seen the vet he took his temp he never forgot that ether
|
|
|
Post by migsy on Nov 21, 2014 23:51:51 GMT
oooch! spider,no,they don't shove it under their armpit or tongue do they? Don't think we would take kindly to that either.
|
|
|
Post by alfiemummy on Nov 21, 2014 23:59:21 GMT
Haha I remember the last time Alfie had his temp taken at the vets, the look on his face was a picture!
|
|
|
Post by smilesbetter on Nov 22, 2014 0:30:57 GMT
Hahaha when Rosa got her temp taken at the vets for the first time she started trying to poop it out immediately. Poor vet having to try hold it in for the full minute haha. I need to get Rosa weighed now anyway so I'll maybe bring her in on Tuesday next week and see how she is after her nail clipping fiasco. I don't want the next vet visit to be her spay/dew claw removal or I'll never get her in there again. We keep changing vet so maybe she'll be fine with the new ones. I need a new vet, maybe I'll try arrange some free check ups as "vet testers" so that Rosa can get more vet socialisation and I can find a vet that doesn't appear to be a money obsessed mong or a nail clipper wielding maniac like the last two.
|
|
|
Post by migsy on Nov 24, 2014 15:05:14 GMT
Following the instructions rigidly for gently introducing Skip to the muzzle,he even wags his tail as he knows he will get some cheesy bites treats.He won't be able to have treats when he goes to the vets though,so cancelled his appointment for this morning to give him more time to get used to having it on for longer. He will have had his sedation pills too when he goes,so hoping very hard it does the trick. Have been chatting to various dog owners over his fear,and it's amazing to hear how many have had dogs get nervous after having the kennel cough vaccine or anal glands emptied.It's enough to put anyone off wanting to be a vet!
|
|
|
Post by miloooox on Nov 24, 2014 19:39:16 GMT
Glad to hear the muzzle training is going well migsy Milo isn't too bad at the vets, when he used to get vaccinations the vet would pour treats onto the table for him to distract him, worked like a charm and my little fatty didn't even realize he was getting a vaccination One time though the vet was checking Milo's paw (we brought him because he was limping) and she crouched down to touch his paw and he yelped very loudly, the vet was startled and fell backwards, Milo then felt it was his job to reassure her and jumped onto her to give her some sloppy face kisses The only problems we have is the other dogs in the waiting room, being around them stresses Milo out.
|
|