Call your veterinarian and ask if it's okay if you go there once every other day or so, and just sit in the waiting room. Bring a treat you know he loves. Sit in the waiting room until he calms down and take the treat(s), then leave ONLY when he's calm and relaxed. Don't leave when he's anxious. If the veterinarian and the people who work there are okay with it, make them come and give him treats, praise, then leave. He should soon come to feel like this is a place where he gets treats and attention. At home, work with him on getting his teeth checked, his ears and the rest of his body. Once he's comfortable with this, put him on a table and continue the work there. The floor and a table can make all the difference in whether a dog is comfortable or not. Good luck!
Vet crisis
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My 11 month old went into the vet alone last month and did not consent to being examined. The vet said she was "a bit snappy" and that they tried to muzzle her, but that she wouldn't accept that either, so they used a rolled up towel around her neck, which they said calmed her and prevented her from biting..She didn't seem concerned about her snapping and appreciated that she didn't know them and was alone.
I had to take her again today (to a different branch) and due to that memory she was very reluctant to go in, but thankfully due to Covid restrictions being lifted here in the UK I was allowed in with her. The vet asked me to put one hand under her chin/jaw and to hold her collar with the other while she was examined. There was a small growl when the thermometer went into her back passage (can't blame her!) but me gently restraining her in that way whilst giving lots of verbal praise worked really well.
She also doesn't like strangers approaching her overhead, so I ask people to hold their hand out and let her approach them before scratching her under the chin, pointing out her hackles and that she is nervous. This approach has allowed her to say hello to multiple people, which she really enjoys.
It might be worth shopping around for a different vet who is more patient and willing to think creatively to help your dog tolerate bring examined. Also hopefully it won't be long before you are able to go in with her.
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My boy from day one has been skeptical of vets. (I have a vet who also cares for my horse so in the scheme of things dogs are not as dangerous to her which is helpful) but from the first time in we put a muzzle on him just in case -he even looked to me like he was thinking about it so I totally agreed. He has never actually tried to bite (I think he knows he can't with a muzzle on) but because of his eyeing us, we continue to use it just in case. He knows the routine, and is definitely better when I'm holding him myself but its not worth taking a chance on anyone's safety and its been fine. I agree that a good vet office should know how to handle untrusting dogs. With a young dog I would definitely want to be with them to make them as comfortable as possible and establish good experiences, especially if there have already been bad ones so I would look for a vet willing to work with you and let you be present, if they are not willing, they are not worth it...
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@aprilk said in Vet crisis:
its not worth taking a chance on anyone's safety
That, indeed, is the bottom line.
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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.
