That time of year ....
I took Cowboy to my vet (Centinela Animal Hospital) yesterday, he was due for his annual check and some shots (although Dr. Palmquist does vaccine "titers," a blood test to see if the previous vaccination is still active, in order to avoid over-vaccination).
Most of my dogs have been well behaved at the vet's. But not all of them.
Pilgrim, the Australian shepherd I lost about a year ago, was always quite anxious (and he had to go to the vet's A LOT). He'd whine and fidget in the waiting room and was known to take a nip at the doctor once inside the examining room. His chart bore a bright orange sticker: "CAUTION."
The dogs I have now, Cowboy and Tess, are so good they make ME look good. But they're both just incredibly low-key, submissive, quiet, and friendly.
The vet's office, which is tiny, was crowded yesterday after a couple emergencies backed up the afternoon appointments by close to two hours. Cowboy and I wound up in the parking lot, where some extra chairs had been set out for waiting clients.
But I don't really mind waiting, it's always fun to talk with other pet owners. Yesterday I spent quite a bit of time talking with Mrs. Williams who was there with her Shih Tzu who had allergy problems. I liked Mrs. Williams because she told me how much she liked reading the Daily Breeze.
There were a couple of cocker spaniels, a Bouvier Des Flandres (which you don't see every day), a poodle and several cats in their carriers. Several folks commented on Cowboy's eyes, which are a color mixture of blue & brown, marble like. (That's why his eyes look sort of spooky in the photo above.)
Cowboy, despite being as good as gold (he even reluctantly rolled over for the vet to do a tummy inspection), was glad to leave when it was all over. Dr. Palmquist sent us home with a prescription for an antihistamine. It is allergy season and Cowboy has had a hot spot and some skin discomfort.
I think the hardest part for Cowboy was leaving Tess behind at home. They've been pretty much inseparable since I adopted Tess last spring, so both dogs seemed confused when I had to tell Tess to "stay."
If your dog has behavioral issues going to the vet or groomer, here's an article on how you can help your animal prepare for the sometimes intense experience.
And do tell us: Does your dog like going to the vet? Or not? How do you help your dog or cat get through the experience?
7 Comments
Leave a comment
About the Bloggers
Daily Breeze reporter Donna Littlejohn has shared her homes with a succession of wonderful, funny, and occasionally difficult canines -- Muffin, Fritz, Ellie, Mercy, Pilgrim and now Cowboy, an Australian shepherd-border collie, and Tess, a border collie. From strong-willed terriers to weirdly obsessed Australian shepherds, they've invaded her world with boundless energy, wet noses, muddy paws and soggy tennis balls. But they've really brought so much more than that -- like laughter and joy, some unexpected life lessons, and more than a few tears along the way.
E-mail Donna at donna.littlejohn@dailybreeze.com.
Josh Grossberg grew up with the usual array of animals: goldfish, dogs, hamsters, parakeets and turtles. He now owns the loudest dog in the South Bay(Video: Rocket the Dog) and is the least popular person on his block. He spends his free time in dog parks, pet shops and always has an extra plastic bag in his pocket just in case. He also has a cat.
E-mail Josh at josh.grossberg@dailybreeze.com.
Aww, thank you!
He is so mellow. But tomorrow he goes in for a bath & professional grooming. So he'll have to suffer through the wet dog ordeal again. He hates baths.
Poor Mr. Cowboy...... ;(
I think he looks happiest when he is biting Tess's ear as she's running & returning her tennis ball.
Cowboy likes Tess a lot, if you know what I mean. But my vet said it's all pretty normal. After all, he said, despite the neutering, Cowboy is still a boy. Good thing she likes him, too.
Donna,
Your dogs are awesome! Cowboy is such a sweet and easy going dog. I think he is so handsome and I love his eye coloration because it is so unique!
I love the picture it is soooo cute...he is much happier looking in this picture than the one taken when he was all wet and unhappy!!!!
Josh's sister: I just talked to the vet's office and Cowboy's titer test came back clear, meaning his previous vaccines are still active in his system.
The office says that's typical after a year, by the way. If the test indicates a new vaccine is needed, they do that at no charge.
Yes, I think that has happened to us. I'm not sure if they had the results ready when we left, but typically they'll call back if the vaccine is, indeed, needed (and I don't think they re-charge for the office visit.
My vet began talking to me probably 10 years ago about his feeling that we're over-vaccinating our pets, but at that time I think it was still a new idea and not fully accepted by the veterinarian industry. At the time, many boarding facilities and groomers insisted on having the vaccines documented, but my sense now is that the titer certificates may be gaining more and more acceptance.
I'll post on the results from Cowboy's test Wednesday when I get them, though! Good question ....
(Rabies is the only one they don't titer for because it's required by law for pets, of course.) And I think the titer test is about the same as the vaccine cost-wise.
One more note: I had an older terrier mix some years ago who had a horrible reaction to his vaccinations one year, within hours he was so sick and wound up in ER with an auto-immune disease presumably brought on by the vaccinations. Not a common occurence, but I think that kind of thing adds to the theory that vaccines can do damage if they're given too routinely or automatically.
I understand the purpose of doing a vaccine titers blood test, but have you ever found that the actual vaccine that was tested for, was not needed? Thanks
Wow, that is so funny about Reba. And now that you mentioned Kimba being better if Scotty is along, I remember a couple times when Ellie was with Pilgrim he did seem a bit more at ease.
Ellie was very laid back also, was very happy to be just about anywhere and see just about anyone. She'd just wiggle her butt for the vet when he'd come into the room.
Like people, so much of it is personal temperament I think.
Hope Reba's doing well with the Valley fever treatments. Yeah, don't ever add up the bills. I've made that mistake a couple times. :)
well....very different scenarios for each of the San Pedro Dogs. Since Reba was diagnosed with Valley fever almost 1 1/2 years ago, she has been going to the vet for check up and blood test every other month (no I have not added the bills for that yet) . She loooooves to go, all I have to do is whisper *lets go to the vet* and she completely flips..can't get int the car fast enough.....she storms into the office...first checks if there are any cats for her to play with...when it is her turn to go in she runs straight to the scale and sit's on it....no idea what it is but she seems to enjoy the experience each time, even when they draw blood from her.
Kimba hates to go alone but is ok if Scotty is there too. Scotty does not specifically like it but goes without trouble at least as far as the front office. He will not willingly follow the technician inside for his shots though.