Dog Community

This is how it should be

Posted : 10/12/2006 2:37:28 PM

For those of you who know, I've had some vet troubles in the past. Everytime I take Ash to the vet, they want to examine her in the back, without me present, because they say it will be better "for all of us". Ash is already a nervous dog around strangers and I think this made her vet trips even more anxiety ridden. Well, I had to take Ash back to the vet this week and decided to not go where we normally go. I made an appointment at the vet she had seen as a puppy. I was taking her in for a possible ringworm infection.

When we get there, I inform the receptionist that Ash has snapped at vets and techs before, that she needs to be muzzled (I had left the muzzle at home by accident), and that she will growl. So were very nice about it and didn't make me feel like I had some horrible beast dog. I went into the exam room with Ash and the vet came in. She was so warm and very nice. A nervous looking tech came in with her, but she was very nice as well. Ash did growl and I told them she has snapped. They still didn't ask to take her in the back (I had not mentioned to the receptionist or anyone that I had wanted to remain present). They asked me to hold her really good while they examined her. I honestly didn't know how they were going to look at her belly, her ears, her paws without Ash going nuts but they did it. She gave Ash the most thorough exam ever. I was SO happy. She asked me a million questions and gave me honest answers to my own questions. Ash did jump, growl viciously, and try to bite, but this never deterred the vet and the vet never once got angry with Ash or even seemed irritated. She just kept going on, making sure that I had a hold of her, spoke nicely, but firm and was just calm. I wanted to hug this lady.

I was really impressed with her and will continue to go back to her. I know she may not be thrilled everytime she comes across Ash's name on a chart, but I can't let her get away! She was so good with Ash and seemed so knowledgeable. At the end of the exam, I told her I was sorry for Ash's behavior and she said, "Don't be. Some pets are more difficult than others, but they're just scared. She did very well and so did you." [

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I had to share with all of you because I'm still so happy that Ash actually got a thorough exam in front of my eyes. A culture was taken, ointment prescribed, anal glands expelled, temp taken, ears checked inside and out, even her TEETH were checked, paw examined, belly looked at, EVERYTHING. The last vet told me the ear thing would go away on it's own and it ended up just spreading. Man . . . . I can't tell you how happy I am. [

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schleide

Posted : 10/12/2006 2:44:19 PM

That is GREAT!! It feels good when things go the way they should...

the1irishgirl

Posted : 10/12/2006 2:49:18 PM

Oh, good for you guys! [sm=clapping%20hands%20smiley.gif]

Terri

Posted : 10/12/2006 3:09:21 PM

What great news! It sounds like you found a vet who really understands Ash and her behavior. It's wonderful that she was so understanding! That really is how it should be at the vet.

gradyupmybutt

Posted : 10/12/2006 3:10:50 PM

Sylvia, that is so fantastic that you found a vet that can handle Ash. I know when I found a vet that wouldn't use long leather gloves to give Bob (my heart cat) an exam, I was thrilled. I was always horrified when they put them on.

dogslyfe

Posted : 10/12/2006 3:26:01 PM

Aw, Sylvia, that is FANTASTIC!!! Sounds like this is a keeper! I believe I remember a post talking about your other vet's attitudes and such - and now *I* want to hug this new vet too!

MissMandy

Posted : 10/12/2006 3:37:36 PM

That is great news. It's always truly priceless to find a vet that you feel comfortable with. Congrats on the good find!

jjsmom06

Posted : 10/12/2006 3:47:16 PM

This is absolutley wonderful news and exactly how it should be!![

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Don't worry, Ash isn't the only bad tempored boy at the vets...I have a similar experience so I can totally understand your horror!!

When JJ went to the vet the first time he growled lightly at the vet within the first minute or two and she simply said "boy those feet must REALLY be bothering you". Then a few minutes later he was laying on his side on the floor while she was examining him and he lifted his head and snarled at her...I was mortified[

], without even thinking I snapped my fingers at him, jumped up out of my chair and kneeled next to him and put his head back down on the blanket. He lifted his rear leg and did his little "I am sorry mommy" act and then was fine after that.
I really didn't know what to think and this is the first time we had been to this vet and she works with tons of greyhounds and has her own greyhounds too. Plus she is the vet for one of the other greyhound rescues in town so not only was I feeling horrible that he had been so snotty to her, but I worried about how she would feel about my reaction to him. (Greys are very sensitive to discipline so usually the discipline is very light...but the way JJ reacted to me you would have thought I usaully beat him or something!![

]). I guess she understood right away that I don't rule with an iron fist, but that I also don't let him get away with that behavior towards others. Right after the event she looked at JJ and said "looks like somebody has the right mommy who won't let you get away with that type of stuff!" I was soooo relieved when she said that![

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Her whole staff is fantastic and he has growled at one of the techs too when he tried to get him on the scale and he was completely unfazed by it and just tried to get him on the scale again.
There is nothing better than knowing that your pets are in good, competent and understanding hands.
Bravo to you for making the switch![

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ashland

Posted : 10/12/2006 3:48:41 PM

I know! I'm so happy! My step-dad thought I was insane when I continued to gush about how happy I was with this visit, but he has no idea. Every time we go to the vet, Ash and I both dread it and it's always so stressful. It's just so awful and I end up leaving there pissed off everytime. I'm not letting go of this one.[

] It's so nice to know that she won't get mad at Ash, she won't get frustrated or discouraged. It's a great feeling. I feel like writing a thank you card or something! That's how happy I am with this vet. The prices are more expensive there, but for the quality of service I didn't even blink an eye at the cost.

ashland

Posted : 10/12/2006 3:56:15 PM

ORIGINAL: jjsmom06

but I worried about how she would feel about my reaction to him. (Greys are very sensitive to discipline so usually the discipline is very light...but the way JJ reacted to me you would have thought I usaully beat him or something!![]). I guess she understood right away that I don't rule with an iron fist, but that I also don't let him get away with that behavior towards others. Right after the event she looked at JJ and said "looks like somebody has the right mommy who won't let you get away with that type of stuff!" I was soooo relieved when she said that![]

Her whole staff is fantastic and he has growled at one of the techs too when he tried to get him on the scale and he was completely unfazed by it and just tried to get him on the scale again.
There is nothing better than knowing that your pets are in good, competent and understanding hands.
Bravo to you for making the switch![]

That's another thing. When I was holding Ash and Ash started to get really snarly, where she was giving her deep growl and I knew she was about to jump, I said, "Ash! That's enough." in a very firm voice and Ash just got still and quiet. Her ears went back a little bit and then I kised her head. This happened when the vet was looking at her paw. Afterwards, the vet said, "At least she listens to her mommy. The owners know their dogs better than I do so it's always good to get the owner to help with the exam when dealing with a nervous dog." Again, I had not mentioned at all to this vet or the staff that my previous vet used to take Ash in the back to examine her so her saying that on her own gave even more points to her in my book. Then when she didn't critisize me for firmly telling Ash "that's enough" was another good thing! The other vets would tell me I was encouraging her behavior by being firm so they said it made Ash more problematic. I can understand this to a point, but they had never given me the chance to see if my being present would actually HELP the exam to go better. And then when she didn't lable Ash as "aggressive" but as "nervous" . . . more points! Ash is aggressive, but it really is because she's scared and nervous and this vet recognized that.

jjsmom06

Posted : 10/12/2006 4:02:20 PM

That's another thing. When I was holding Ash and Ash started to get really snarly, where she was giving her deep growl and I knew she was about to jump, I said, "Ash! That's enough." in a very firm voice and Ash just got still and quiet. Her ears went back a little bit and then I kised her head. This happened when the vet was looking at her paw. Afterwards, the vet said, "At least she listens to her mommy. The owners know their dogs better than I do so it's always good to get the owner to help with the exam when dealing with a nervous dog." Again, I had not mentioned at all to this vet or the staff that my previous vet used to take Ash in the back to examine her so her saying that on her own gave even more points to her in my book. Then when she didn't critisize me for firmly telling Ash "that's enough" was another good thing! The other vets would tell me I was encouraging her behavior by being firm so they said it made Ash more problematic. I can understand this to a point, but they had never given me the chance to see if my being present would actually HELP the exam to go better. And then when she didn't lable Ash as "aggressive" but as "nervous" . . . more points! Ash is aggressive, but it really is because she's scared and nervous and this vet recognized that.

Absolutely!!! JJ has fear aggression (which is why we adopted him because he was unadoptable). It is nice to know that the vet agrees with your actions because it is a hard call. If you don't do anything, it looks bad, but if you react you worry about how that is viewed! [:@]

jjsmom06

Posted : 10/12/2006 4:04:12 PM

feel like writing a thank you card or something! That's how happy I am with this vet.

You totally should! I got a card that is specifically for "the vet" as a thank youa nd I plan to put a picture of my pups in withteh card (to assure they remember who I am). I plan to do something special for the office too around the holidays!

jennie_c_d

Posted : 10/12/2006 4:04:39 PM

I'm so glad that you and Ash had a good vet experience!

agilebasenji

Posted : 10/12/2006 4:20:49 PM

I know she may not be thrilled everytime she comes across Ash's name on a chart, but I can't let her get away!

Ah well, home made chocolate chip cookies will take care of that.[

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Xerxes

Posted : 10/12/2006 7:38:10 PM

That's some great news. I have to agree with you, it's really hard to discipline in those circumstances. I think though, since you were there Ash behaved alot better and was reassured that you'd be there to "protect" him.