Aisha had a check up today ~update~

Next time you go to the vet, take treats WITH you.  Take whatever you think is ok for her to have, even if it's part of her kibble for the day.  Take it in a couple of plastic baggies -- hand one to the techs to give her and give the other to the vet and tell him she can have ALL of them.

 That lets the vet be a "hero" - and they really appreciate your concern that she not be scared at the vets. 

Check Dr. Dodd's vaccination schedule -- and you might tell them you prefer to use that.  It's a good resource and it sets the stage for you to be known as an "informed" owner/guardian and yet not pushy.  They are setting her up to be over-vax'd. 

Thanks for the advice Callie. I was so busy today I never thought to bring her some kibble as a treat. We did give her lots of verbal praise and cuddles. I will bring her treats next time though

Why would the vet attempt to over vaccinate her? I had a gut feeling when they booked her again for March 28th that that wasn't right. I was just going to reschedule it for the 7th so it would be 4 weeks apart. What could/ would have happened to Aisha had I not know this and taken her in for all those vaccinations?
 

Geesh I'm glad I posted now! 

ETA- maybe I should check out the other two vet offices they have here. That really bothers me alot that they would do that.

It's an older school of thot -- the extra vax are simply hard on the immune system.  You'll have to make your own call ... but sometimes vets set up schedules either because they follow some specific protocol and occasionally they've been taught that an aggressive schedule like that is not only good but it benefits them (it *is* profitable).  Usually it's not the vet themself but someone pushing them to follow income opportunites and the vet may have chosen a less forward-thinking path. 

Often I think many vets don't trust the owner/guardian -- and they figure if they schedule them close then likely the dog will get vaccinated at *least* 3 times (expecting the owner to not bother with at least one of the appointments.)  And some of them rely on certain information thinking it's the right thing to do. 

"Medical opinion" can be tricky -- each vet is often convinced their way is 'right' -- and it's important for the owner/guardian to be informed enough to know what path they want to take.

I really appreciate you telling me all this, I emailed you with a bit more information.

I am going to go with the schedule you emailed me, it makes sense. So instead of bringing Aisha in on the 28th like they wanted, I'm going to hold off till the 12th of April for her 3rd vaccination- so she will be 16 weeks old.

I worries me alot that the vet would do things purely for profit. So I'm going to call the other two offices tomorrow. Is there anything in particular I should ask them about or look for?

I would hate for something bad to happen to Aisha, because I wasn't informed. I'm just really happy I posted about this.

I do understand maybe the Vet not trusting people to follow through or be on time and giving such a weird schedule.  But IF thats the case its not right for them to assume that about everyone. I have always always been on time with my dogs vaccination schedules, because it's their life and it's my job to make sure they are healthy. I just feel sick right now about the whole thing.

Is there anywhere I can read more about vaccinations? I would love to learn more about it.

Thanks again Callie. 

I hope she doesn't have any more anal gland issues. Lucy,our doxie has had problems with that for years.I find if I give her too much soft food, she starts to have problems, so I always mix in some kibble with canned. If and when she does have problems, you can do it yourself. It's not a job for the faint at heart. My husband usually soaks her tail -end in warm water for awhile and then squeezes on each side of the anus,that will bring out the foul liquid ,and she than does her little zoomies and is all happy again.

I'm WAY to squeamish right now to ever squeeze her anal glands lol. So I hope thats the last of that issue!

Liv

Is there anywhere I can read more about vaccinations?

This post describes Dr. Dodds' vaccination protocol and lists other on-line resources on vaccines:

http://community.dog.com/forums/p/6423/85548.aspx#85548

Liv

Well on top of that I had to get her nails clipped, it wasn't too bad. She yelped a few times and tried to squirm away, but overall I think she felt it was better than getting all the other stuff done.

You might want to consider dremeling (using a grinder) instead of clipping her nails:

www.DoberDawn.com (use link on left of page)

Liv

I'm WAY to squeamish right now to ever squeeze her anal glands lol. So I hope thats the last of that issue!

Here is a site on anal glands:

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=1&cat=1322&articleid=509

Try adding some pumpkin to your pup's diet.  The addition fiber may help her express her anal glands normally.  Use plain canned pumpkin, not the spiced version.  Start with just a teaspoon.

 Thanks Janet for the information

 Callie was kind enough to email me the vaccine protocol which I have decided is what I'm sticking with. I really appreciate the link about the vaccines. I'm going to sit down and read it after I post, thank you.

-I had one concern about the vaccine she received. Is it normal side effect for her to chew her feet after? I have noticed this the last few days. I'm not sure if thats why it happened though.

As for her nails, I'm too uncomfortable doing them myself. Some of her nails are black and I don't want to risk cutting the vain. So I always have had the vet tech do it for me. But I appreciate the suggestion.

Because her Anal glands wasn't considered a huge issue to the vet- even though it had some brown gunk in it. Should I still take those precautions? I'm just wondering, because her poop is firm. How will I know if she has problems with it again?

 Thanks a bunch.

ETA-

After being disappointed and bothered with too many things about this other vet. I got a hold of a great vet. Aisha is going to her new doctor on April 4th, and they are going to do a  FULL check up- maybe skin sample and blood work (not doing ear swabs for sure yet, we are hoping by friday it will be cleared up-  contacted breeder & vet again- both want to try Revolution first to see if Revolution clears up the problem- they are thinking a skin parasite is the culprit- if it doesn't work we will do skin samples and blood work).
I feel a million times better they were very kind and asked alot of good questions about Aisha's health.

Liv

I had one concern about the vaccine she received. Is it normal side effect for her to chew her feet after? I have noticed this the last few days. I'm not sure if thats why it happened though.

Liv

As for her nails, I'm too uncomfortable doing them myself. Some of her nails are black and I don't want to risk cutting the vain. So I always have had the vet tech do it for me. But I appreciate the suggestion.

Liv

Because her Anal glands wasn't considered a huge issue to the vet- even though it had some brown gunk in it. Should I still take those precautions? I'm just wondering, because her poop is firm. How will I know if she has problems with it again? 

Liv

I feel a million times better they were very kind and asked alot of good questions about Aisha's health.

Liv

Also, can a dog having worms cause them to get dry skin?

Liv

I'm going to get them to deworm her when I go in on April 4th to get her up to date with that.

In regards to the anal issue, I know our Lucy usually starts acting like she doesn't want to move and is very uncomfortable .Sometimes , some of the fluid will come out and it is VERY FOUL smelling. If you get it on your clothes, you definetly will have to change. Also it it's bad, when they have to poop, it may look bloodish and slimy---sorry for the accurate description.  She really is relieved when they are squeezed and expelled.  Good luck!  I guess they can remove them.

Liv, do you have a doggie first aid kit?

Absolute minimum doggie first aid kit:

     Syrup of Ipecac (induces vomiting)  -or-
               hydrogen peroxide (3% solution) - 2 tsp per 30 lbs every 15 min 
     activated charcoal
     feeding syringe
     Benadryl (anti-histamine) - 1-2 mg/lb of body weight 2-4 times daily [Yes, that dosage is right.]
     Kwik Stop (styptic powder) - stop nails from bleeding

Personally, I would add Safeguard Granules to that kit.  Worms and Giardia can both cause diarrhea which Safeguard can take care of.

Benadryl can save a dog's life if a sting or bite causes the muzzle to swell.  It doesn't necessarily replace a vet, but can give you time to get to a vet.  Tablets or liquid are OK, but do not use the "sugar free" version (contains an artifical sweetner).

Syrup of Ipecac and activated charcoal (look for a children's kit at a pharmacy) can reduce the effects of toxins and give you time to get to a vet.

One toxin you might not be aware of is Xylitol, a sweetner in many sugar-free products.  This includes things like mints, candies, gum, mouthwash, toothpaste, cookies, etc.  One breath mint with Xylitol could kill your pup very quickly.  If you even suspect that Aisha got some Xylitol, make her vomit and get to the vet immediately.

maizysmom

In regards to the anal issue, I know our Lucy usually starts acting like she doesn't want to move and is very uncomfortable .Sometimes , some of the fluid will come out and it is VERY FOUL smelling.

When a skunk sprays, it is expelling the contents of its anal glands.