Dealing with vet fear
Discussion
My dog hates the vet, he's an 18 month old labrador who's exposure to the vet so far has been fairly limited - innoculations, treatment for an ear infection. He needs to get 2 baby teeth removed and I had him in for pre-op today - had to drag him into consulting room, he growled at the vet, needed muzzled, yelped when the stethescope was put on his chest and hid in a corner.
I'm dreading taking him in on Monday for the actual operation as the vet has said that they'll give him an initial sedative via injection and suggested I be there to help him through that. I think it'll be really stressful for him as he's going to need man handled to get him to cooperate - this is just going to make the whole vet experience for him even worse. I realise nothing major can be done in a few days - but any tips for making it a little easier on him would be appreciated.
Yours in anticipation....Yoshi....
I'm dreading taking him in on Monday for the actual operation as the vet has said that they'll give him an initial sedative via injection and suggested I be there to help him through that. I think it'll be really stressful for him as he's going to need man handled to get him to cooperate - this is just going to make the whole vet experience for him even worse. I realise nothing major can be done in a few days - but any tips for making it a little easier on him would be appreciated.
Yours in anticipation....Yoshi....
Edited by towser on Thursday 7th January 18:47
I am just a regular owner, but there are a few on here who have more experience and training so you will probably receive better advice from them.
I think this is something you will need to work on long term, but in the short term I would make several visits to the vets with the staff giving lots of fuss and treats.
If possible, start in the car park and work slowly over a number of days towards the consulting room. You may not even get that far.
Try not to transfer your anxiety to Yoshi.
Good luck for Monday
I think this is something you will need to work on long term, but in the short term I would make several visits to the vets with the staff giving lots of fuss and treats.
If possible, start in the car park and work slowly over a number of days towards the consulting room. You may not even get that far.
Try not to transfer your anxiety to Yoshi.
Good luck for Monday
Very hard to fix in the short term, and honestly, pulling teeth is probably going to cement the dog’s view that the Vets is where bad stuff happens because he wakes up with a muzzy head and in pain.
When we got our first pup, Mrs rxe (family has owned dogs for years) took them to the vets regularly - just to the waiting room, the dog met everyone, got treats. As far as both ours are concerned, the vets is a nice place, where, strangely, bad stuff sometimes happens. They both go in, tails wagging, no issues.
Same with stuff like clipping claws. We got this wrong with the old dog who first got claws clipped when they needed to be done. She hates it and fights all the way. The young dog had them clipped as a puppy, just going through the motions, taking half a mil off. As a result, she just rolls on her back and opens her mouth for treats.
When we got our first pup, Mrs rxe (family has owned dogs for years) took them to the vets regularly - just to the waiting room, the dog met everyone, got treats. As far as both ours are concerned, the vets is a nice place, where, strangely, bad stuff sometimes happens. They both go in, tails wagging, no issues.
Same with stuff like clipping claws. We got this wrong with the old dog who first got claws clipped when they needed to be done. She hates it and fights all the way. The young dog had them clipped as a puppy, just going through the motions, taking half a mil off. As a result, she just rolls on her back and opens her mouth for treats.
Poor pupper, it's so horrible for them when they are scared. One of my 4 is really shut down for days after.
My vet lets me do the same things as RXE suggests - I did this with my youngest and he is so chilled at the vets despite having 2 major surgeries, loads of X-rays, minor procedures and a 2 week stay at the Referrals. Even now he doesn't bat an eyelid - which is really surprising. It does make a difference to just go there and not 'do' anything.
There are many other things you can do to alleviate the stress, but sadly you do need time, plus a supportive vet to really make a difference. And the Covid situation means lots of vets are handing over dogs in the carpark so unlikely you can do any 'training' at present.
If you can get in first dog on the list or last dog of the day then that sometimes helps as the vets have more time and there are less other stressed dogs around.
If you are lucky enough to have a great vet, then my vet lets me sit with my dog in a spare consult room while the pre-med takes effect before carrying him to the kennels. He also puts my (tiny) dog with the cats and ensures there are no passing dogs (he is also dog anxious).
Some vets let anxious dogs come in the staff door etc to avoid the waiting room if that part is stressful, depends what resources they have available.
Ask your vet about some medication that you might be able to give him before his visit - some dogs I know have something
A stressed dog is more likely to bite, so if your dog is very fearful the vets may muzzle him... you could try conditioning him to a muzzle (this does take a while to do properly so they are actually excited when you get it out) Doing this in advance so this isn't 'one more thing' on top of a lot of other stressful things.
I hope it goes ok - poor pup
My vet lets me do the same things as RXE suggests - I did this with my youngest and he is so chilled at the vets despite having 2 major surgeries, loads of X-rays, minor procedures and a 2 week stay at the Referrals. Even now he doesn't bat an eyelid - which is really surprising. It does make a difference to just go there and not 'do' anything.
There are many other things you can do to alleviate the stress, but sadly you do need time, plus a supportive vet to really make a difference. And the Covid situation means lots of vets are handing over dogs in the carpark so unlikely you can do any 'training' at present.
If you can get in first dog on the list or last dog of the day then that sometimes helps as the vets have more time and there are less other stressed dogs around.
If you are lucky enough to have a great vet, then my vet lets me sit with my dog in a spare consult room while the pre-med takes effect before carrying him to the kennels. He also puts my (tiny) dog with the cats and ensures there are no passing dogs (he is also dog anxious).
Some vets let anxious dogs come in the staff door etc to avoid the waiting room if that part is stressful, depends what resources they have available.
Ask your vet about some medication that you might be able to give him before his visit - some dogs I know have something
A stressed dog is more likely to bite, so if your dog is very fearful the vets may muzzle him... you could try conditioning him to a muzzle (this does take a while to do properly so they are actually excited when you get it out) Doing this in advance so this isn't 'one more thing' on top of a lot of other stressful things.
I hope it goes ok - poor pup
Edited by parakitaMol. on Tuesday 12th January 17:21
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