THE canine veterinarian practice is starting to change. Late last month as I chatted with my sister, I could hear the enthusiasm in her voice as she told me about the wonderful vet she had found. My sister has recently moved and a neighbour told her about this wonderful vet she has. My sister's dog is very typical in her fear reaction at the vets. Just about everyone's dog shakes, whines, claws or pants once inside the vet office. To a dog, this is not a good place.
This new vet asked my sister if her dog had been taken away to the back room at a previous veterinarian's for shots or treatment, and she had. This new vet was happy talking, petting and bonding with my sister's dog. The check-up was done while the petting and happy talk was being delivered. Ruby never even knew she had a thorough check-up.
Going to the vets is a fact of life with canines, it can also be very traumatic and the utmost of care should be taken to avoid a fearful reaction to this visit. Dogs are pack animals and to be grabbed away by a stranger and subjected to physical restraint and stuck with needles or probed is terrifying. To expect anything different of our dogs is unrealistic and unfair.
Over the years I have been asked several times by vet techs "what's wrong with your dog?" as he resists following them to the back of the office. They throw a rope around the dog and expect them to follow a complete stranger in a foreign environment. Some dogs will follow them happily but they are the very few, most will resist. As the dog soon realizes "resistance is futile" - they are going back there whether they like it or not. The more they resist the tighter the grip, causing panic in the dog.
What I am starting to see, hear and read about are the vets and vet techs taking the time to learn about dog behavior. By learning more about dog behavior these medical professionals can make the trip to the vets a more enjoyable one. Change can be difficult and slow but it can also be a very good thing. A regular annual trip to the vet's with your dog should not be mysterious or scarey, for you or your dog.
Call around and ask vets if they allow frequent drop-in visits for your dog. These trips can be very pleasant and start to build a positive association to the vet. You walk in, your dog gets a treat and you leave, great. Ask if you can accompany your dog for any routine treatments or if they can be performed in the examination room in your presence. If you feel comfortable with staying involved and participating, ask if you can stick close to your dog for comfort.
One of the best changes to happen in the veterinarian field is the mobile vet. These vets do routine visits in your home where your dog feels much more comfortable. No more loading up Fido for the dreaded trip to the vet where inevitably you are going to deal with 50 lbs or more of stressed-out pup. I know many people who shudder at the idea of a trip to the vet themselves.
My most recent veterinarian visit required a blood test to be done on my youngest dog. He is a 4-year-old epileptic standard poodle who happens to be a very sweet but emotional dog. As the tech entered our examining room to take him to the back I asked to join my dog. The flustered vet tech went in the back to ask and returned to tell me that I could not. I stood fast and asked again politely stating that I did not feel comfortable having him away from me. The vet soon arrived in the room with all the blood drawing equipment and happily drew the blood. Luke was calm in my arms and it was over in seconds without a struggle.
Canine guardians are becoming more educated and aware of their canines' behavior and reactions, resulting in a need for change that will benefit our canines now and in the future.
