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Post Info TOPIC: Vet phobia
Calatria


Master

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Vet phobia
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I think most dogs wouldn't choose to visit the vet, but our older dog Theo gets himself into such a state it really makes us think twice about whether to take him there at all.  We go once a year for his booster and a check-up, and that's bad enough.  But to take him there when he's ill is just awful - which is stupid, because that's obviously when he really needs to go!


So the question here is - do we go to the vet's straight away, and risk adding stress to whatever's wrong, or do we "wait and see"?


A couple of weeks ago, he woke up very early in the morning.  He was panting and pacing (all the things that just fill you with dread), wouldn't eat, etc.  My first instinct was to get him to the vet straight away, but my second was to wait a while and see if he settled down.  As it turned out, the first instinct was the right one.  We took him later on that day, and he had a back injury which could only be cured with time, though thankfully the vet gave him a painkilling jag (which he really needed by that time, poor lad) and more painkillers to give him at home.


How do other posters decide when is the right time to go to the vet?


P.S.  He's fine now - but his favourite pastime (chasing the ball in the field) has been shelved until further notice.



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max


Enlightened One

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MUCH THE SAME AS YOUR SELF REALLY, I TEND TO GO FOR THE WAIT AND SEE THEN IF THINGS HAVE NOT IMPROVED WITHIN A DAY OR POSSIBLY TWO THEN GO TO THE VETS. WITH CAS RECENTLY IT WAS THE SAME THING TURNED OUT SHE HAD STRAIN IN HER BACK LEGS WHICH WAS GIVING HER DISCOMFORT A COURSE OF ANTI IMFLAM AND LEAD REST SORTED IT OUT. IT IS MORE A CASE OF KNOWING YOUR DOG, MONITORING IT BEHAVIOUR AND KNOWING WHEN TO GO. THOUGH IF I WAS EVER UNSURE IT IS ALWAYS WORTH GIVING THE VET A CALL. NORA

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Vicki


Old Hand

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I was worried that I'd have a vet phobic dog as she was very timid and seemed frightened of everything initially.
I started walking her to the vet for social calls. First just to the outside of the surgery, then into reception (where there are handy biscuits!).
We'd been half a dozen times before I finally took her to actually see the vet.

Obviously this wouldn't help in an emergency though.

Does your vet do housecalls? It might be worth the extra cost if he gets that upset?

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Amber


Master

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For me, it depends on the symptoms; usually it's something pretty clear, like severe lameness or a big gash, so i phone the vet straight away (I'm a bit of a panic merchant!). Sometimes if it's a minor thing - one time OH shut Petra's tail in the door (by accident of course!) and it was bleeding & on phoning the e-vet, he told me just to keep an eye on it & keep it clean.


Mine used to be OK going to the vet, but ever since I had to take Oscar in with extremely painful septic arthritis he had not liked it all and pants, shakes etc.


It does tend to make you think twice about subjecting them to going


In one of my behaviour books on fear in dogs, it suggests a programme of desensitisation and counter-conditioning, which can apply to fear of anything, so for example, you could drive to the vet's, feed the dog some really great treats, not even get him out of the car and drive away again. Doing this several times per week, you'd gradually get him closer to actually going into the vet, feeding the treats etc. (the key being to work within the dog's comfort zone - i.e. keep him far enough away from the vet waiting/examination room whilst feeding, so that he is not worried or upset and only progressing to get nearer the actual door when the dog is completely relaxed and happy at being in the car park). But that's not something that many people have the time do for a problem like this, myself included!



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emma


Guru

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I have a nightmare with Tiger, he is so impossible (digging his claws in) that you can't move him. Kev has to carry him in! Once inside he shakes and cries until it is our turn, by that time anyone else in the waiting room is glad to see the back of us  - due to the noise he is making! If we wait for longer than 15-20 mins he usually settles and strangely is fine once in the vets room.


Embarrassing when he cries.... but last time I was there a scotty dog relieved himself all over his owners dress so I guess it could be worse, I would rather have a crying dog than a weeing one! 


Em Xx



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yvonne


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Unfortunatley for me, the decision is pretty made up for me. Angus has a problem with his blood which means it doesn't clot, so as soon as there is a cut, a nick,a pulled, claw etc etc etc. Its straight to the vets whether he likes it or not i'm afraid, and because he's that wee bit older (9 1/2) any lameness gets checked quickish.


Jennas not too bad. She plays a lot of rough and tumble with her pals in the park so she's generally 'play sore' but you can always tell when its a genuine sore pain and when she's in proper distress but because she's young(ish) i tend to wait and see.


 



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