Vet visits
I am just curious to know at other peoples vet visits...do you hold your dog or does someone else? I've read enough to make me wonder about this. I always bring my dog to the exam room put them on the table and hold them. Is this "normal" practice or do many of you have a vet tech help? Even my big dogs never leave my hands.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Beth on
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I normally hold my dogs, and my cat when (bless her furry heart) we had her. However, for certain procedures (blood draws, IV injections) they require the tech to be there to hold the pet properly to ensure no movement.
So for the basic exam, routine shots, etc, I do most of the handling. Only for procedures where a small error can have a big consequence does the vet tech step in. I imagine if I had a dog who bit or lunged they might use the tech as well.
And, not to be sad, but when Alice was put down, they gave very specific instructions to stand by her head, scratch/pet her, and speak to her directly.
When Jack is being his awful self, the vet asks me to talk to him, which I would do anyway.
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Permalink Reply by Alice on
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We bring him in, put him on the table and pet/hold/distract as needed. There is a vet tech there as well to assist but usually they stay behind him and we stay in front. It always goes very well.
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Permalink Reply by Bev Levy on
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Sparty actually does better if they take him in back, away from me. Of course I have been going to this vet for over 25 years and know him personally or I would probably not go for this. Sparty is a special case due to his overly sensitive nature and experiences with his various injuries. Izzy and Misty behave very well at the vet fortunately or they would most likely think I was a very bad mommy! Also, my poodle had a reputation as being the best trained dog any of them had ever seen. Sparty kinda makes me look like an amateur! LOL
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Permalink Reply by Cooper, Nora, Grady, Izzy & Jax on
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I've been a vet tech for almost 4 years and we always do all the holding for the appointments. Most people don't know how to hold their dog in a way that can restrain the animal properly so we can get the job done quickly and easily.
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Permalink Reply by Jane Christensen on
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I'm sure there are people who are not comfortable with this and would rather have a tech hold their animals. I just was curious as I want to be right there. Wynn is my biggest loudmouth! A simple shot and you'd think he was having surgery with no pain meds BUT my Livvy who is the smallest is by far the hardest to hold!
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Permalink Reply by Keira & Rogue on
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My dog loves going to the vet. The vet or the vet assistant handle her...she usually rushes to them as if they're long lost friends, lets them pick her up and put her on the table, and then sits there with a dopey smile on her face while the vet assistant holds her and the vet gives her the shots. Shortly thereafter I usually get the comment about most dogs not being that happy to see them :)
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Permalink Reply by Kari & Jackson on
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My vet seems to be a little different. Any shots or medicine is given "in the back." Otherwise, I take pup on the table and let the vet do her thing when she examines him. He's pretty good but if he needs a little reassurance I'm right there to pet and hold a little.
I wonder why they do everything away from the owners there... I haven't really thought twice about it. I think it's a great place!
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Permalink Reply by Renee Kovacs on
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This "in the back" stuff seems to be protocol for Bainfield - one visit there was enough for me, thanks. I certainly wouldn't allow a doctor to take my child out of my sight, and I'm NOT going to allow a vet to take my dog either. I used to work for a vet and can think of no good reason for this practice. Yes, it is far more intimidating to an animal to be taken like that, and if they're intimidated then yes, they can be easier to manage - in whose best interests is that? The vet's, and the tech's. Not you, and not the animal.
Far better to TEACH the owner how to manage their animal during a visit, and far better for the animal to learn that ultimately, they are safe in YOUR arms. From my experience, dogs that are aggressive to the point of posing a risk to the vet or tech simply need to be muzzled - and those that need muzzles were the exception, not the rule.
One trick I've learned with our Corgi - he is most easily managed if I hold him 'burping-the-baby' style, with his head over my shoulder. He's fairly large (a CWC) and feels far more concerned about being held this way, than about any procedure the vet might be doing.
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In my case (I do not go to Banfield) my vet has tours of his back area and they have a table where they can safely restrain Sparty. They only use it for dogs like Sparty that can not be controlled. I do feel bad that I am unable to handle him when he is that fearful but he has had numerous painful procedures that make an already over the top anxious dog just nuts when he is there. They treat him really well and while he is shaking and whining he follows them around and lets everyone pet him. I think he likes the sympathy. I really would not do this on an ordinary visit but ours are anything but. I console myself with the fact that none of my other dogs have behaved like this but prior to Sparty I thought it was just a matter of training also.
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Bev,
We have this with our Weimeraner mix..the vet has to either give a "quick" shot or he would have to be muzzled and it's because of a procedure years ago that he has never forgotten! Wynn would love to be a "greeter" in the vets office as long as he doesn't have to get put on the table. Our new vet has even sat on the floor with our Aussie to examine his leg...he tolerated it much better than a table!
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My vet sits on the floor with Sparty to examine him but he does have to be muzzled to have his nails trimmed. With that vet he is ok with his shots too but if it is someone else I have them muzzle him. At home we give him an allergy shot once a month and he shakes like a leaf before, during and after but never snarls. Since he has had to have that defective nail removed so many times he is really touchy about nail trims. I just really want everyone to be safe. Vets have a tough job!
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Yeah, Jack goes into pure panic mode if he is restrained, and has done from the time he's a puppy. The day we picked him up at the breeder, I was able to hold him in my arms on his back while she did his nails and he was just fine with it. But once he put on a few more weeks the panicky thing set in. Since he's fine about everything else in the world, I think it's just a thing with some dogs. Lord knows it's not for lack of us trying.
Finally, after over two-and-a-half years, I can Dremmel a nail or two if Shawn is holding a spoonful of peanut butter.
I can look in his mouth, clean his ears. bathe and towel him. But try to pick him up or hold him still and he starts to flip out. I think it's a claustrophobia-type thing, to be honest. He's great at the vet til he goes on the table.
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