Bring your paperwork that the breeder gave you to your first visit because they will want to know some things like birth date, always (in the first year or so when lots of shots are administered) bring the vaccination record book Pam and Sheila gave you and ensure they make a copy of it and not just write it down..you will also want to update your copy as your pup receive shots so like I said..bring it so they can fill it in for you. Any questions you have regarding vaccinations I highly suggest asking your vet but also getting in touch with Pam to ask her opinion, she knows her dogs and her lines and she is better equipped than the vet to give you an honest evaluation on which to give. Also try to follow her guidance on neutering and spaying (if you plan to). I know with Oakley I followed their advice. It might be true or not but in my opinion basenjis tend to mature slower and I find they need more time for the growth plates to close before castrating is a wise choice.
Vet crisis
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I agree with @aprilk about trying to create as positive a Vet experience as possible especially for a young dog. I also get that's not very doable without being able to be with her. I liked the idea of asking if an examination outside (in front perhaps) of the office might allow you to be with her. Even if you did decide to muzzle up, she'd still have you right there giving her reassurance during the exam and a favorite snack right after. I'd definitely be asking the vet for a little extra help/effort on this issue.
Jengo was always terrified going to the vet. My vet and I talked about it and she always gave him special treatment like not putting him in a crate, allowing him to roam free with the vet techs. I always brought the team cookies, chocolate, or another treat as a big thank you for the extra effort.
I suppose an argument could be made that that's what I'm paying them for, why should I have to do cookies too? I love my doggies. I want everyone who has a hand in their visit to be invested. Logan and Sparkle went in for the first time (while with me) on Monday for hip x-rays; eye, ear, nose and mouth exams, blood tests, etc. They came home a bit groggy, but happy... and with trimmed nails, which was cool! Everyone got a treat that day.
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@senjisilly I always tell people to approach from underneath, absolutely! But not everyone listens or gets what you're talking about. Someone explained to me that "underneath" scares people because they, the human, feels more vulnerable.
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@eeeefarm Absolutely true about releasing only when pup stops struggling and I'm very careful about that . I hate to think what she learned in those 2 office visits.
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Thanks for all the input and reality checks. I think I will add "desensitize to muzzle" at home to the list of training stuff. I will also opt for a mobile vet that comes to my home - we have lots here in CA. NH? Probably not so much.
A possible factor in CA (the lawsuit capital of the world) is vets simply won't take any risks. No vet that I have been to here in the last 15 years has allowed me to restrain my own dogs. And I was a vet tech long ago! They don't care; most vets here won't take the risk.
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My Izzy doesn't like extended hands coming from any direction, before he accepts any one he has to get in there face and smell there breath, scares me to death but no biting has happened this way yet. When people extend there hand in any way he thinks that is the message to bite. Of course we do not let him get in complete strangers faces, we don't want to set ourselves up for a law suit
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@beth314 - Really? I will not go to a Vet that will not let me restrain my Basenjis especially puppies... Is this a So California thing? Not that I have heard of? Of course my Vets know me and know that I know my Basenjis... that could make a difference.
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@beth314 I agree with @Tanza. Aside from current Covid restrictions, my vet had always allowed me to hold/restrain Jengo during visits. Northern California - South Bay Area. Couldn't do it with the newbies this past Monday. Having never been with either during a vet visit, not being allowed to this time, and having read your tale... I gotta admit... I was apprehensive as heck and kept my fingers crossed all day. In normal times I know my vet would've allow me to hold them during an exam.
She owes me some test results still. When I talk to her in the next day or two I'll ask her if it's a thing or not. I'll let you know what I hear.
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Mine start to scream as we turn up into the vet's carpark. It is a steep rise and they know exactly where they are heading ! But once inside, either with me in the good old days, or fetched from the car by the Vet, they know they will get given a milk biscuit at the end of it.
They love milk biscuits which they ONLY get from the Vet, and always get at the end of any treatment.
In the days back when. . . I always restrained / held my dog, the nurses (we call techs Veterinary Nurses over here) kept well away and didn't even accompany us into the Vet's office.
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@jengosmonkey OK, thanks! I'm heading to New Hampshire soon and life is far more laid back there. I need to remember to ask if I can hold my own puppy/dog and, if not, keep looking. I just don't think of it when I call to make an appointment.
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@jengosmonkey - What Vet clinic are you using? I am in the Bay area... and they should be opening up for in clinic visits?
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@tanza I'll PM ya.
