Caleb's Chronicles

[fuzzi]

I know they took him into the back room last time and didn’t let you be with him. (Our vet does that all the time, but our dogs are ok with it.) Is there any way you can explain to them that Caleb is a rescue situation that needs to have you with him for security?

I can picture them still saying no. Would it be possible for you to call around and find a different vet that would be willing to work with you on this? Surely there are some practices that understand the importance of helping a rescue dog learn to be comfortable with veterinary care. The importance of not setting back his progress.

I am planning on talking with the manager, if not the vet himself. Caleb will not be taken from me, it's the staff's fault that they botched it last time.

I also was planning on getting a muzzle for emergencies, Baskerville recommended by Caleb's foster.

 

[GLENMAR]

Caleb was a stray, picked up and surrendered to the animal shelter, probably never had hw preventative. He does tire easily, and I don't push him, only toss a ball 5-6 times before stopping. He's on slow kill meds but still can have blockages from dead worms clogging things, ew. Poor baby.

Limit his activity. That will prevent blockages while the worms are dying off. He might even need to be crated for a few days.

 

[SageHill]

I know more and more dogs that have been taken in the back for whatever reason and come out a different dog in a very bad way. Glad you won't let that happen again - stick to your guns.
There are more and more people who claim to be experts and are nothing of the sort, not even close. Don't ever believe them - I wish there was a label on their foreheads that say "trust your gut, not me".

 

[Baymule]

The vet clinic in Houston tried that with Buford when I took him for a side by side semen collection that resulted in the litter of puppies that Tatli came from. In minutes they came back for me, he was in a room, closed door, for THEIR safety! Hahaha! He was growling at them. I'll never let them do that again.

When son and I rushed Sheba to the emergency clinic, they didn't want me back there with them. Just try and stop me. When I said to put her down, the vet wanted me to leave. I plainly told him no. I was with her to the end. I wasn't abandoning my dog for no SOB.

The vets and techs can stick it where the sun don't shine. My dog, I'm going with him/her.

 

[fuzzi]

Went to the park this morning, after 8. Saw people, mowers, trimmers, maintenance workers with golf carts, even a mother pushing her stroller with her toddler riding his bicycle alongside. No Dogs. I'd be fine with dogs at a distance, but I think the yappies are counterproductive.

Caleb and I worked more on "heel" vs. "side". He's getting it. I also have started having him sit between my knees, using "knees" as his command. He's not sure about that one, yet.

Also, I think the heat has been bothering Caleb. Since the weather became hot he's had less energy, seems like he's tiring after one walking circuit, so we stop, sit, rest. I'm not looking for him to cover distance, just a lower level activity to get his body moving, and his mind stimulated.

Once we get home he's content to nap.

 

[fuzzi]

The vet clinic in Houston tried that with Buford when I took him for a side by side semen collection that resulted in the litter of puppies that Tatli came from. In minutes they came back for me, he was in a room, closed door, for THEIR safety! Hahaha! He was growling at them. I'll never let them do that again.

When son and I rushed Sheba to the emergency clinic, they didn't want me back there with them. Just try and stop me. When I said to put her down, the vet wanted me to leave. I plainly told him no. I was with her to the end. I wasn't abandoning my dog for no SOB.

The vets and techs can stick it where the sun don't shine. My dog, I'm going with him/her.

I don't understand this change in procedures. The vets have always wanted the pet owner to be there to control the pet.

Maybe it's a liability issue?

 

[SteepedInSheep]

I don't understand this change in procedures. The vets have always wanted the pet owner to be there to control the pet.

Maybe it's a liability issue?

I suspect some vets have had owners they considered a problem or a nuisance. Making a blanket policy to ensure there's no dramatics in the exam room is not the best answer, however.

 

[fuzzi]

Would it be possible for you to call around and find a different vet that would be willing to work with you on this? Surely there are some practices that understand the importance of helping a rescue dog learn to be comfortable with veterinary care. The importance of not setting back his progress.

I meant to address this.

EVERY vet in the area has been bought by equity firms except my vet. He's independent, a good vet, but since he refuses to price gouge as the equity vets do, he's very busy. He's hired students to assist with simple stuff, and apparently the one who tried to trim Caleb's nails (and terrified him) was not the best hire, clueless.

If I took Caleb elsewhere I'd run into worse. I had to take Debbie to the vet when she was sick on my vet's day off. They had an expensive new building, glamorous interior, staff in matching uniforms...and the vet tech had idea what was wrong. Then they charged me $500 for the visit, an xray, a shot, and some fluids.

 

[SageHill]

When I said to put her down, the vet wanted me to leave. I

OMG - that is unconscionable!!!! I am so glad you told him NO.

My vet is fantastic - very common sense - of course he's our age, went to school before all the pharma push/hype/$$$-grab. Though, sadly when you have lab work done it's usually out of house and ta-da $$$. I just had Ree in for a baseline check as she moves into the "older" catagory. The bloodwork was over half the cost of the visit. So they (pharma/labs) get you one way or another. It won't be long and the day of common sense veterinary practice will be a thing of the past, and everything will be corporate regs and list of "do this" even when it's not needed. I'm now seeing pharma ads for dogs on tv - yup medicate the people, now convince same people to medicate their pets. There's a time and place for meds - but not all the time.