Going to the vet must be terrifying for some animals

[undeterred]

My dog needed annual shots today. As soon as he realized we weren't there just to pick up food he started acting panicky and hiding under chairs, whining, etc. 14 year old dog who has been through a lot. Got his heart rate up to 150 during the exam- he really hates having anyone look into his eyes, ears, or mouth. He's cooperative, but he is a wreck.

When we got home he was exhausted and slept for a couple of hours. He gets a hamburger tonight for dinner for being such a good boy.

[bertha katzenengel]

1. We have a couple of cats who are like that.

They just hate the vet. Hope your li'l buddy enjoys his burger.

[xchrom]

2. i know what you mean -- and your post makes me all teary.

my big ol boy sport used to hate going to the vet.

there he was 80lbs of fierce looking mutsky reduced to being a scared little pup.

i used to feel so bad for him.

[texanwitch]

3. My dog is the same way,

She was attacked by two dogs when she was a puppy and had to go to the vet for a few days for treatment, just the smell of the Vet's office scares her now.

[zanne]

4. I die inside when I have to take my pets to the vet.

I suffer along with them and wish it was me instead. Poor little guys.

[Lowell]

5. My Dog Watson hates the vets

on one of his first visits he came back tattooed and castrated. He doesn't trust anyone anymore.
I can't say I blame him.

[skygazer]

6. My friend started a mobile vet practice

She did nothing but house calls. It was so much nicer for the animals to be seen in their own space where they were secure and comfortable. Euthanasia especially was better - it's such a hard thing anyway but when your pet is frightened in a scary place, it's even worse. Much better to go quietly in their own home surrounded by familiar things and loving family.

[China_cat]

7. My animals all love the vet

no matter what they've had to endure, they can't wait to see him.

[skygazer]

9. My Boxers always loved the vet

They could get poked and prodded and blood drawn and any number of things and they just wiggled with glee the whole time because, "Someone's paying attention to me!!"

[riderinthestorm]

8. My one Jack Russell terrier would be reduced to a quivering bowl of Jello

when we would go to the vet. And he had Little Big Man Syndrome (ie. he was VERY tough!) in the worst way so it would doubly traumatic when he would go to the vet and he would spend the entire time quaking.

Usually he would strut into every place with that whole JRT persona. Not at the clinic - when we would just pull into the parking lot he would already be scrabbling to get under the truck seat. He'd have to be dragged out from under there by his little stumpy tail and carried into the clinic with his head tucked under my armpit. This stemmed from an unfortunate exposure to mange (the demodex mite) when he was just 2 years old and he trapped some old thing in it's burrow. The demodex dips at the vets office were obviously really traumatic and he never forgave them for that.

Usually my animals are seen at the barn for their routine stuff by the large animal vets who are good sports about treating anything that's alive on a farm. Unfortunately the more years that pass from vet school, the more vexing it becomes for them to draw blood in small animal veins for heartworm testing or whatnot as their small animal practice is so minimal.

You're a good soul for remembering the hamburger. That's the important thing: lots of TLC and special treats for the poor thing.
:hug:

[undeterred]

10. When my dog had to be left at the vet school for a few hours

he would form attachments. I'll never forget when one of the vets he'd been with came out to talk to me and my 65lb dog sat on his lap. He was telling me, "this guy likes me" :cry:

[NewWaveChick1981]

11. My dogs are totally terrified of the vet...

:scared: :hug: And the dogs we had before these two were also scared. I think it's because they were all shelter dogs prior to living with us, and that can be a very scary place for confused and terrified dogs. Hubby refers to that as "'Nam flashbacks".... but whatever it is, it wears our dogs out too.

Glad your pup is getting his reward tonight! :D

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

14. I just sent you a PM.

:hi:

[NewWaveChick1981]

16. Thanks! Checking now...

:hi:

[QMPMom]

12. Our dog used to throw enough hair to cover the vet's exam room

when we'd take her for appointemnts. She didn't stop for an hour or so after we got home so the van and the house was covered, too. Black Lab, white carpet. UGH.

[InvisibleTouch]

13. I try to drop in at the vet's office with my dogs...

...when they don't have an appointment, don't need a nail trim, or anything traumatic. We just say hi to the nurses and the resident cats, stand the dogs on the scale to see how they're gaining weight, and usually get a treat to make it a pleasant visit. That way it's not so traumatic if they have to go in for medical reasons. We're lucky, though, because it's only about a 5 minute walk.

Admittedly, in the winter I slack off on this a lot, because I hate to be out in the cold.

[caty]

15. My pets' vet said

that they smell death there because some animals die there. Every pet I've ever had have reacted differently---but they all have been afraid.