No more therapy visits for Jack?
Both my dogs are registered through TDI, and we do very occasional therapy visits. Jack adores going but time does not permit as much activity as we'd like. Still, I like to keep them certified because it's nice to go on occasion, and I've also found it's a great shorthand when people are afraid to let their kids near the dogs: "It's ok, they are Therapy Dogs" reassures people more than "They are good with kids" does.
Until now, TDI required a blood test for heartworm unless the dogs is on preventative year-round. Mine both are, and honestly we don't bloodtest. Please I'm not looking for a long explanation of why we should or shouldn't: fact is, we have absolutely positively never been late on a dose since Jack was a tiny puppy. He's totally protected, I'm confident of that.
Now, TDI changed it's rules and requires a heartworm test every 2 years even if the dog is on preventative year round.
We tried today at the vet's to do Jack's blood draw, and.... uh, well it's just not going to happen. I have discussed before how Jack is claustrophobic. They had a very hard time doing the blood draw for his neuter when he was a puppy. It is now impossible. We probably could have done his back leg with him standing on the floor and me feeding him treats, but his legs are too short and they could not be sure they had the vein. Doing the front leg is impossible, even from the floor, and doing either is impossible from the table.
Please don't say this is a training issue. It is not. He has been handled since he was tiny but he absolutely wigs if you try to forcibly restrain him. He panics. He is not being mean (they were stunned he never tried to bite because he was clearly terrified). He is not being stubborn. He is having a panic attack. He made noises today I've rarely heard a dog make and he was so scared he released his anal glands (plus a ton of hair).
The only option would be to sedate him. I am leaning towards the idea that it is not worth doing this to my dog just to go on therapy visits a handful of times a year. But I am torn. I also worry about what happens if he ever needs medical help, because it is difficult for the vet to even examine him, let alone perform a procedure.
This is the dog who will calmly lay down in a room full of wheel-chairs, who ran across the dog walk in agility the first time he saw it. But try to confine him and he freaks.
Thoughts?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jennifer Markley on
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Jackso did the same thing when we first got him. Totaaly freaked at the vet being handled. We worked with him every day, going through a make-up vet exam. He totally freaked too doing his nails. We just pretended every day for a long time with lots of treats after, and we finally got him used to it. Could you take him to the vet every day and have the techs just pretend without actually drawing blood? Give lots of treats after? That's about all I can think of....
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Permalink Reply by Beth on
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If we could do that it probably would work. However, it took me 6 months at home to get him to let me Dremel his nails. He's BAD. Plus, I work every day so it's unfortunately just not practical.
I have acepromazine at home. I might try it and see how he reacts to it. As I said, I'm very torn. The other vet in the practice says Jack is claustrophobic.Thanks for the feedback! :-)
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I'm not sure if there's a Delta group around me or not. I'll have to check into that. Thanks, I never thought of switching groups!
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Permalink Reply by Sarah C. on
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Because my boy dog doesnt like to be held at the vet they do blood draws in his neck. Hold a treat up, go in with the needle in the neck and pop, there's the blood.
It's gross to watch though. I thought I was ready for what i was gonna see and then i was like, urk, did you just stab my dog in the neck?
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I read about the neck thing and think he might be better with that, since he won't have to be held so firmly. Plus having one foot off the ground makes him feel helpless and I think that's what he hates. I may discuss that with the vet. Thanks!
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Permalink Reply by Anna Morelli on
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With my mini dachshund, they drew blood from the neck for the hearworm test. You could try giving him Rescue Remedy before you go (from health food store: Bach Rescue Remedy. a few drops in his mouth, totally harmless and worth a try).
Personally, I agree with your assessment of him and would not push the issue unless medically necessary. There are things that don't fit our normal explanations and, when I don't have a clear understanding, I try to honor the dog's needs. I know what it's like to have an unreasonable fear. With all my love of animals, and I've had all kinds, flying insects can throw me in a panic. Logically I know that zooming fly can and will do nothing to me, but it does not help me or my reactions one iota!
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I love him dearly and it did not make me at all angry that he fought like heck, but it did make me a bit sad. I felt like I let him down. My poor little bug-a-lug. Funny thing is, I've seen a little kid bear hug him and try to pick him up by the head and he didn't even fight. He tolerates anything from kids. I think if we could teach a four-year-old to draw blood, he'd probably let THEM do it!
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Permalink Reply by John Wolff on
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I am skeptical about Rescue Remedy, but my wife swears by it. I think she's just seeing what she wants and expects to see. But hey, a good placebo is still a good drug.
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Hard to convince the skeptics.... but I've seen it work on people, and animals in many situations. The fact that we don't know how it works does not justify calling it the placebo effect. There is a growing field of study in Energy Medicine and it is a fascinating subject.
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Permalink Reply by Potus on
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Potus is the same. HATES being handled/confined at the vets, and indeed by us (he has a sixth sense about knowing the difference between patting and inspecting) despite many attempts to get him used to it. He has panic attacks too. He has to be sedated when he goes to the vet for anything more invasive than his yearly check up. We justify the sedation due to the fact that its done to give him medical attention (he recently had to have dark marks on his stomach examined- turns out they were blackheads, but he hates being handled so much that neither we, nor the vet, could get a proper look at them without sedating him and it could have been something much worse) but I can understand that you're hesitant to sedate Jack for a test someone else requires. I'll be keeping an eye on the suggestions for any tips for Po! Good luck with Jack!
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Can I ask what you use to sedate him? Acepromazine, or something else? If you use Ace, how much does he get?
Part of me wants to try him sedated just so I know how he is, in case he ever needs emergency care so I can tell them from experience if the sedation helps. I have three doses (10 mg) each of Ace sitting in a drawer since last summer and have been hesitant to try it.
The other thing is the vet called to say that Maddie had a mild positive to the Lyme test and now needs a second test to see if she has an active infection or just prior exposure. So now I'm wondering if we should do the blood draw on Jack to see his status. Ugh.
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