dog problem at vet

[campocaro]

Hi
This is my first post ever on Mumsnet!

We have a medium sized 18 month old collie/lab/69 variety rescue dog. He has been a handful since we got him at about 7 months but has gradually become socialised in the house, garden and on walks. He is very excitable with new people. We live in rural Spain.

I took him to the vets yesterday for his vaccination and to look at a weird mole that has developed on his nose (doesnt seem to be hurting him but looks horrible). There were quite a few dogs there and we had to wait. he got excited and barky at the (small) dogs. By the time we went to the vet he was pretty wound up and wouldnt sit still and was lunging and growling at the vet and her assistant. When I tried to restrain and hold him he snapped at me quite a few times. The vet said she coundnt look at him until he was calm so we left, I was upset and near tears.

I'll go back at a quieter time with DH as support but wondered if anyone had any hints on how to make this situation less stressful for our dog-I am worried he will get a phobia of vets...

There are some qualified behaviourists on here but what I would do is try to build up positive associations with going to the vet - take lots of treats with you and feed them to him in the waiting room. This will also help distract him from the other animals. Or ask for the first appointment in the consulting hours, so you're waiting for less time and without other dogs.

There is no shame in leaving him in the car until it's your turn - lots of people do this, and if he's less stressed to begin with then he's likely to be better with the vet. Poor boy sounds scared.

You really need a helpful, patient and sympathetic vet too - ask to see a different one next time. It's just the luck of the draw but if you get a vet who is more patient it can help, and dogs sometimes prefer a certain vet - maybe a woman.

Don't worry - I used to be a vet nurse and it's much more common than you think! With careful, patient handling and the right vet he should make good progress.

HTH

..and welcome to MN, btw

Thanks-good idea about treats,keeping in car and early appointment-although there is no appointment system in our small rural vets (just 2 female vets) so I'll just have to get there early. They are lovely vets and incredibly patient -they would have waited for ages I think but I wanted him out of there in that state!

You can always mention the problem when you call to make an appointment and vets/nurses/other staff will usually do all they can to help.

Good luck.

the ladies have given you some good advice, i have a rescue dog that is ummmm, well, not very good with people, and he is definatley worse with lady vets than men (a process of elimination!) but we muzzle him too. he is much much clamer with the muzzle on than without. we found it easier to get him used to a muzzle (which can be done at home) than the rigmarole of getting him used to the vets. especially as he is huge and if he did actually get hold of someone he would do a terrible amount of damage.

also, we only go to the vets twice a year, so muzzling him and getting him in and out as fast as possible works for us. i guess if your dog is not well or needs alot of vet visits then its better to go the route of getting him used to the vets.

good luck either way, its horrible when they are all stressed and growly isnt it.

He's pretty healthy generally.Good idea re muzzle-we do have one -lots of treats needed for getting that on though...and this wart thing he has is just where the muzzle would be.

Can you just go to the vets sit in the waiting room for a few seconds (obviously ask permission) and then leave.

Keep doing this as often as you would like (daily would be great!)gradually building up the time.

Then could you get a nurse to just come and stoke the dog again leave instantly.

Soon the dog wil become much happier at the vets.

Away from the vets can you try to do the normal vet things eg look in his ears, look at his teeth, feel around his body, look at his feet etc, maybe even use a toy stephoscope to listen to his heart, get him to roll over and show you his tummy. If he is used to this at home then can you get people who are used to dogs doing the same and then eventually the vet.

It will take time but is well worth doing and really what all owners should do will all their dogs.
(also worth when dogs are young to get used to the plastic collars they may have to wear)

We encourage owners to come in and see us when they are passing so the dog can get a fuss (where dog accepts it anyway!) and so it is not a negative experience every time. Ask the vet about DAP spray which may help at stressful times too. I would invest in a good muzzle (ask your vet) and get your dog used to having it put on for a few minutes at a time when at home and calm so that you can if needs be get it on at the vets for those visits that need the dog to be examined. Do "poke and prod" the dog in a nice kind of way of course, so that he is used to being examined like he will be at the vets too. He may never be totally comfortable there, but there is a lot you can do that will help him and therefore you and the vet too.