Frequent readers and friends might know that before I left for BlogPaws, I was dealing with a lot of stuff that had me feeling very emotional. I alluded in that post to an appointment we postponed because I just had too much to try to deal with while trying to get ready for my trip.
I also wrote back in the fall how we had taken Luke to the vet and because he is reactive and fearful of strangers (even though technically these are not complete strangers), the vet was unable to perform an exam or get the blood needed for his heartworm test. When spring arrived this year, I knew it was time that we needed to get that done so we could get him back on his preventative for the summer.
This past Tuesday was our second attempt at getting that done. The first attempt before my trip failed. The plan that time was for my hubby to take him alone, hoping that my nervousness was part of the problem. The hope was to sedate him so they could do what they needed to, but ultimately, they couldn’t even give him the initial shot to start that process.
Therefore, we were on to Plan B which involved giving him two medications an hour before his visit – a tranquilizer and a sedative. I was worried about three things involving this:
- He could have an allergic or other reaction to one of the medications.
- It wouldn’t work (that turned out to be the one I was justified in!), and
- Putting him through this would break his trust in us. I was a little less worried about this, since this was our 3rd time around, and he never held the first two times against us. He always forgot all about it by the time he got home.
Let me say that we did not take the decision to go this route lightly. We considered all our options. Anyone who knows me knows that I don’t take the use of medications, especially for behavioral issues, lightly. I am planning another post with more detail on this subject as well.
The meds were given an hour before the appointment and by the time we arrived, we saw very little change in him! This was not a good sign. When we took him in, he immediately started growling at another dog or people in the waiting room and I put his muzzle right on him.
When our vet tech Christina tried to approach him in the exam room, he did his usual thrashing and growling. Our hearts sank. However, Christina saw a little less resistance in him and though she tried to still do the blood draw, he was just moving too much. She did think, however, that he was just compliant enough that she could give him a shot in his back leg that would put him further out.
Finally, she was able to do that and in a few minutes, he finally gave into it all and dozed off. The blood was drawn and his nails were clipped (that was desperately needed, because he won’t let me do it at home), and then another shot was administered to wake him back up.
This may all sound matter of fact, but trust me there was a lot of drama and anxiety that went on before all this was accomplished, and I’m not just talking about Luke’s anxiety! It’s hard to describe just how difficult it is to see your dog like this. You feel like a jerk for putting them through it, yet you know it has to be done. But through it all, Christina was understanding and patient, took her time and did not give up on him, and answered all my questions and concerns along the way. Her compassion was the only thing that made it all bearable.
Therefore, I have a lot to be thankful for today, first of all for our wonderful vet’s office where they always go above and beyond for us. (Christina is the senior vet tech, and she purposely scheduled herself to do this and not one of the less experienced girls). Sure, we could have tried this again with higher doses of the meds, but she understood how hard that would be on all of us. She was determined to try everything before giving up.
In addition, of course, I am thankful that this is finally over and done, and that the blood tests came back negative. Luke is back on preventative so that heartworm is not a worry.
When we got Luke home from the vet, he was pretty out of it. He slept for the whole evening, with me constantly checking on him. So the one thing I am the most, most thankful for today is that by Wednesday morning he was mostly his old self, and by the time I got home from work he was completely himself, no worse for wear. I’m sure he has put this all behind him much more easily than I ever will.
Thank you to Brian’s Home for hosting the Thankful Thursday blog hop. Please visit other blogs through the links below.
You are not alone when it comes to having mixed feelings about trips to the vet. I feel awful every single time (even though I understand the importance of veterinary care) we have to go in. It sounds like the workers at your vet are awesome; and that does make a huge difference. Anxiety is a hell of a thing. I’m glad they got everything done and that his test came back negative.
The truth is, we strongly considered just not taking him at all; just taking our chances on whether or not he could catch something. If this hadn’t worked, we would have been at that point anyway. I think it’s something we’ll probably wrestle with every time he’s due for something. On the other hand, we need to know what we’ll be dealing with if he ever is sick or hurt.
My hubby harkens back to the old days, when most pets didn’t go to the vet regularly. I keep having to remind him times have changed though. 🙂 But even I think of my childhood cat Concha who only ever went to the vet once in her life. She lived to be 18, and died just 3 weeks after getting her first rabies shot (there was a big rabies scare at the time). Makes you think!
I can imagine how stressed you felt! We used to see a lot of difficult dogs at the vet clinic I worked at so you are not alone. It sounds like Christina is a great vet tech who cares about the animals as well as their people.
Thank you for telling me that, Dawn. While we’ve had dogs who didn’t like the vet, we’ve never had one this extreme, so it’s good to know we’re not alone.
Yeah, some of us aren’t that great ’bout goin’ to the doctor, either, but ALL OF US are WAY BETTER at goin’ than my Auntie Primrose used to be, so we kinda get away with stuff now. Like seriously, there’s pretty much nothin’ we can do to outdo the things that went on before.
But what good news! Super, super, SUPER happy to hear the heartworm test was negative. PURRS.
It was such a relief to get that news, especially after all we had to go through to get it!
It sounds like your Auntie Primrose set the bar pretty high for everyone else, just like our Luke. 🙂
So good to hear that Luke came out negative with the results. I remember when Spike was first misdiagnosed with ringworms. It’s heartbreaking for me and my husband.
This makes me grateful that none of my colllies have these issues, after reading this, I realize that it’s something I take for granted. I can imagine your anxiety, and I’m so glad your boy has you, someone who will see him through all these difficult situations.
Thank you so much for saying that. I think we always took it for granted before we had Luke too. We’ve had many pets that didn’t like going to the vet, but none that take it to the extreme that he does (and the worst thing is that he wasn’t like that when he was younger, and nothing happened to make him all of the sudden be this way).
It seems such an easy thing to do, and saying makes it seem even easier, but actually doing and putting your pet through something that has consequences emotionally and potentially physically is one heck of a burden. We stress because we love and care, but doing too much of that is counter productive for us all. Nut how do we stop that?!
I wish I knew.
Lovely post, and thanks for sharing it.
Purrs, ERin
Thank you, Erin. I wish I knew too! I’m actually planning to write a post one day about trying to find that balance. How much do we put our pets through in the name of keeping them safe, and how much should we just let them be to live the way they want? If it means their lives end up being shorter, is that so bad for them if they’re happy (I know it’s bad for us to lose them too soon!).
Hello,
Lily here. I am a rescue cat from a feral mom and despite the calm and happy home I live in, my humans suffer fear and trepidation when taking me to the place of white coats, just getting me I. The carrier has caused me acute mental trauma for me (and the humans). Sometimes a little medicinal help is needed for those of us who are especially fearful. Very happy to hear your blood work came back negative!
Thank you, Lily. And thank you for sharing your story – it really does help so much to know that others understand what we go through. ♥
I always feel like the wicked witch taking Bear Cat to the vet. He fights me to get him in the carrier … then howls the entire way there – and during most of the visit. I know he’s terrified and I feel so horrible – but I know he needs to go to be healthy. Ugh. Without that, I wouldn’t have the heart to put him through it once a year.
It’s just heartbreaking when they are so terrified. I hope Bear recovers well afterwards too? We had one cat who was a complete mess for about 24 hours after every vet appointment….getting sick, etc. We determined it was just the stress and not anything else. It’s so tough to see them going through that.
We will probably only take Luke when it’s necessary, so he won’t even get annual exams. We’re just trying to find the balance of how much we should put him through.
The resiliency of our pets still amazes me each and every time. Happy to know Luke is doing better.
That’s a lot of drama poor Luke! But it was for his own good and hopefully he won’t remember it. Love Dolly
Thank you, Dolly! I think he has forgotten all about it. Now I just need to work on that! 🙂
I am glad that it worked out. Sorry for all of the stress. Freighter is kind of a pain at the vet because he does not like the blood draw either, but over the years, he has gotten better. He holds still for a little while now.
I’ll never give up hope that Luke might get better when he gets older! After all, he was fine when he was younger, so maybe he can go back to that at some point. 🙂
Sorry I’m so late with this! And sorry you all had to go through all that anxiety! My goodness!
Doing my externship at our vet’s office has really been an eye opener for me! Trust me, Luke is not the only dog with fear issues…at the vet or elsewhere. I’ve seen several dogs in similar situations. But our vet techs are great! I’m learning a lot from all of them. And Christina sounds like the girls at our vet. Luke is definitely in good hands with her.
Like you, I don’t take lightly the need for drugs to help calm an animal, especially my own; but the (good) vets don’t either. They would prefer to not have to use them but recognize that sometimes it’s just the best option for everyone. Trazodone really is a good product. It just didn’t work for Ducky. Thankfully the Alprazolam (Xanax) does help calm her down when my other non-drug efforts aren’t enough.
And, of course, the moral support we all get from each other in our “little” community is priceless for us humans as well.
It’s good to hear you say all that. I don’t know how many times I asked Christina if they had other dogs like Luke, and she assured me that had some that were even worse. That made me feel a little better anyway!
I am willing to try the drugs at home so that hopefully I can trim Luke’s nails myself. There’s no way I want to go through all that for just a nail trim, so fingers crossed it will work.
I’m glad everything turned out okay, but what an ordeal for you all.
Ah, Jan, I was just thinking this week about asking you if you had made this appt yet-SO glad it worked out in the end, and Luke is well and on the preventative stuff he should be, and he is all recovered and all is well!! Or will be once you have relaxed about it!! 🙂 Super KUDOS to that wonderful vet and vet tech you have, she sounds great!! I know how tough this was on you, but you can relax now, really, and why? Because Luke has, and he is over it, so he tells you to be as well! On to the pool and sun!! (Hopefully!) Throwing some hugs in here too-to all of you!
Thank you, Auntie Lynn! Yes, on to the pool and sun….yay!
I’m glad everything ended up working out well in the long run, but I can certainly understand what a trying experience it was – for both you and Luke!
Kudos for knowing how to properly deal with this ordeal for your Luke’s benefit. And bravo to your vet tech. She sounds like a real angel!
We have been with this vet for about 18 years now, and she has been there ever since then. It really does help to have someone that we are comfortable with!
It’s frustrating having a pet that is so scared when at the vet, you can’t have a normal routine exam done. That’s the case with our Zoey. Sometimes you just have to sedate them…it’s really for their own good. We’re glad you were able to get Luke examined.
Yes, and if only there was a way we could let them know it’s for their own good! Thanks for telling me about Zoey. It really does help to know that we’re not the only ones with these difficulties.
I’m sorry these events are stressful for all of you. But you are right that having a challenging dog creates this amazing bond–even if you might not wish for an extra way to build your bond.
I know it’s just one more thing for you to do, but would it be possible for you to take Luke to the vet to do some mat work? Perhaps starting outside when they are closed and working up to busier times?
Maybe a year from now your annual wellness visit would go just a little bit easier.
I don’t know….I just don’t think that would work. It’s not the vet’s office per se…he’s fine when he’s in the car, and walking in. It’s the people, and anyone coming at him to do anything (he won’t even let us take a tick off him at home, check his ears or teeth…nothing).
He’s fine sitting in the office with anyone, until they move towards him, and I’m not sure anything can ever change that if we can’t even do it at home where he feels safe.
That is so sad that you have to put Luke through all of that to get him tested but it is a necessary evil. Our vet cuts both the boys’ nails. Pierre HATES it with a passion and it takes two people to hold him. I’m sure Luke has forgiven everyone LOL!
That’s been the only saving grace with all of Luke’s fears…that once whatever is scaring him is gone, he recovers quickly. Fingers crossed at least that part lasts too!
One of my sister’s beagles would let out screams at the vet when they tried to do her nails…some dogs can be so dramatic about things! Cricket puts up a fuss too, but she’ll settle down and luckily she’s small enough I can manage to hold her myself (with a lot of muttering…LOL).
Madison decided a couple months ago that she was not going to let Mom do her nails. Mom was taking her to have them done every two weeks, but it gets expensive. Last week, Mom actually crawled into her kennel with her and pinned her so she could clip a few. After that Madison gave in and let her do them all. How it will go this week…we don’t know!
There was a time when I could do Luke’s nails as well. There was also a time when he would go to the vet without any issues! But one day he just decided he’d have nothing to do with any of that.
I hope Madison continues to cooperate, and it’s so much easier and cheaper to do them at home!
We had a dog when we were kids that had to be sedated to go to the vet. It is not easy. I’m sorry that it was hard for you all.
Have we talked about Calming Chews, or have you tried his Calming Collar with him? I’m sure you have, but I just have to ask…
Thank you for asking….any suggestion never hurts! We have tried some calming chews, and the collar, but have had limited success with both.
I am so glad you were able to get this all done for Luke. Poor Mom and Dad needed so meds too. Hooray for the return of happy! Thanks for joining the Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!
It’s such a relief for all of us to finally have this behind us, at least for a while anyway!
I’m sorry you and Luke had to go through that. I get it! Rita is reactive to strangers too, but amazingly somehow that doesn’t extend to the vet’s office. It’s mostly just at home or in certain situations when we’re out and about (and only certain people – usually big men). I worry though that she’ll start to get this way at the vet… especially since the last time we went to the vet she had to get knocked out and have that little spot/2 teeth removed. Worried about how she’ll be if we have to go through something like that again. But of course I need to hide that worry from her! Maybe I need a tranquilizer…
Ha, I am definitely with you on that …I sure could have used a tranquilizer myself! I had to settle for a glass of wine (or two) when I got home!
That is so draining and scary. So glad it all worked out. A friend had a dog similar but not as bad. She paid big bucks for a behaviorist. The trick that worked….she met 4 other dog owners in a neutral place 3-4 times a week for 1 month. No socializing just start walking. They walked for 45 minutes each time. Never stopping to socialize. It took away Annie’s fear and aggression. Kudos to you for all you did
Lily & Edward
Thank you. Hiring a behaviorist is definitely something we have considered, and have not ruled out. But Luke’s fears are of so many things, and totally genetic, I just don’t know if he can be fixed. 🙁
Poor Luke. And it’s so hard when you can’t really talk to them about what’s happening. So glad you have a good vet tech that knows the right things to do.
I dread going to the doctor myself, but at least I understand why I have to do it! I’ll just hope and pray that Luke is a healthy dog so we don’t have to go through this too often.
I’m sorry Luke is afraid at the vet. As scary as it is it is actually easier on them to sedate them with a shot when they get there so they don’t have to have a bad experience, it’s safer for them and the workers. Not sure what medication you were given to give at home but we started using trazadone and have had some good success with it.
Yes, trazadone was the one. They OK’d me to try it at home to do his nails too; if I could at least do that it would be one less thing to worry about. And at least now I know the meds seem safe for him, so I won’t worry so much about that part.
I’m sorry that was such a traumatic experience for all of you! It definitely helps to have a vet that understand your dogs’ needs and it sounds like you have the very best place for all of you. Glad the tests came back negative!
I’m glad everything turned out okay, but what an ordeal for you all. Our Layla gets really stressed at the vet, and I always end up feeling like a “bad dog mom” when they have to take her in the back and muzzle her just to do an exam. Never had a dog quite like Layla before!
Luke is a first for us as well! I’ve never had a dog that didn’t dislike going to the vet (it amazes me when people say their dog doesn’t mind), but never one as extreme about it as this.
I hope Layla bounces back as well as Luke does too. We once had a cat who would be out of sorts for hours after getting back from the vet!
Luke I’m so glad that it is hirstory now and that your world looks much brighter the day after da vet… hugs to you, I know it is not easy to conquer our fears when we are at “that” place… we have a sense to see the sad things what happened there and maybe that’s the reason we dislike it… my dad had to walk with me to bring me a little down… think if the vet had not accepted the challenge to treat a wild weim he would still walk with me around that vet crib…