With exception of Roxy, our guys always loved going to the vet. Even Jasmine, with all the bad stuff she's gone through. She didn't like needles or thermometers but she loved seeing the vet (and staff). None of our guys were ever fearful of the vet's office, on the contrary, rushing us on the way in.
I never gave a second thought to timing considerations.
We'd typically go first thing in the morning for practical reasons such as urine analysis, or because we wanted to see the vet as soon as possible. Only for physical therapy we had afternoon or evening appointments.
It has never crossed my mind that something like that could matter.
Until Cookie's last appointment. We took her in for an integrative consultation to figure out the best way to get her liver happy. The appointment was at 4PM, almost at the end of the day.
The guys were excited to go in, as always. They were happy to see the vet, as always.
Then the technician walked in to draw Cookie's blood. Cookie took one look at her and started barking. The technician was surprised, "You don't want to be friends today?" They've met before and all was good and friendly in the past.
The vet asked me if Cookie was a sensitive girl.
"Yes," I answered, "she's quite sensitive, why?"
As it turned out, just before walking into our exam room, the technician was handling/restraining a dog who got attacked by some other dogs. The dog was out of his mind with fear and anxiety, spreading alarm pheromones all over.
Apparently, Cookie immediately picked up on that.
The technician offered some treats and Cookie stopped barking. However, didn't want to come anywhere near the technician nor she wanted to stay in the exam room all together.
All she wanted to do was to get out of there.
Even after the blood was drawn. The vet was doing her integrative exam and Cookie let her do it politely but her eyes were on the door.
We were going to discuss some stuff first before continuing with the exam but I asked whether all the hands-on stuff could be done right away. The discussion could wait until Cookie got to get our of there.
I have never seen her so unhappy about being anywhere.
Once the exam was done, hubby took Cookie away and the vet and I finished our discussions. It got me thinking. Cookie is a confident, happy girl but got completely thrown off by the scent of utter fear from the other dog.
Makes me think what happens to dogs who are already fearful or anxious.
How much more profound effect something like this would have on them, already expecting horrible things happening and then having the evidence of a dog in anguish right under their noses?
I realize these things are not happening all the time but I imagine that stress does accumulate through the day, leaving its traces everywhere.
From now own we'll stick to first appointments in the morning as much as possible.
What about you? Did you notice that afternoon appointments might inadvertently end up more stressful for your dog? Do you think it might be because of things that happened through the day and left their traces?
Related articles:
Incontinence? Cookie's Mysterious Leaks
From The End Of A Lead Line To Casa Jasmine: Meet Cookie, Our New Adoptee
And So It Begins Again(?) Our First Health-Related Heart Attack With Cookie
I Didn't Know I Could Fly: Why Cookie Wears A Harness Instead Of A Collar
C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Chews For Dogs CAN Be A Choking Hazzard
Our First Health-Related Heart Attack With Cookie: The Knee Or The Foot?
Creative Solutions And An Incidental Product Review
Too Young For Pot: Cookie's Snack With A Side Of Hydrogen Peroxide
Taming Of The Wild Beast: Cookie's Transition To Civilization
Staying On Top Of The Ears: Cookie Is Not Impressed
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Cookie's Ears Are Still Not Happy
The Threat Of The Bulge Is Always Lurking
Today Is Cookie's Three-Months Adoptoversary
Cookie Meets The Electric Horse Fence And Her First Chiropractic Adjustment
Why Examine Your Dog's Vomit?
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The Project That Is Cookie: Pancreatitis Up Close And Personal
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Another Belly Upset: Pancreatitis Again Or Not?
Happy Birthday, Cookie
Who's Training Whom? Stick And Treat
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Cookie's Mysterious Bumps Update
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Cookie's Leaks Are Back: Garden Variety Incontinence Or Not?
Cookie's Leaks Update
Don't Panic, Don't Panic: Know What Your Job Is
The Continuing Saga Of Cookie's Leeks: Trying Chiropractic Approach
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Regular Wellness Exam: Cookie's ALT Was Elevated
Cookie's Plantar Paw Pad Injury
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Cookie Has Tapeworm Infection
Cookie's Elevated ALT: The Ultrasound and Cytology
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Creative Solutions And An Incidental Product Review
Taming Of The Wild Beast: Cookie's Transition To Civilization
Staying On Top Of The Ears: Cookie Is Not Impressed
Who's Training Whom? Stick And Treat
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If You Want Your Dog To Do Something, Teach It
Tricks? It's Not Just About The Tricks
What Constitutes The Perfect Dog?
Are Dog Training Classes Really For The Dogs?
Look Where You Want To Go: Finding My Reactive Dog Training Zen Zone?
Dog Training And Emotions
Dog Training And Emotions: Postscript
Dogs Love Sentences In Question Form?
Not All Dog Trainers Were Created Equal Either
A Thought On Separation Anxiety
Happy One-Year Adoptoversary, Cookie!
About Freedom, Trust And Responsibility: A "Pilot Study"
So, We Have A Bear
About Happiness: What Makes Your Dog Happy?
Our Example Of The Use Of "Look At That" (LAT)
Why Do Dogs Dig?
Who Is In The Wrong?
Your Dog Wants To Follow You. You Just Gotta Be Going Some Place
We Still Have Two Dogs: A "Pilot Study" Part Two
Early Winter Safety: Exploring New Territories
Cookie Is Okay. We ... Might Be, Eventually. (Don't Try This At Home)
One Thing I Love About Winter: I See What They "See"
Give Your Dog What They Need, Get What You Want
Cookie, The First Of The Great Hunting Rottweilers
Distance Is a Relative Concept
Dog Communication: Be Good to Cookie or She'll Tell on You
The Benefit of the Doubt
Putting The Guilty Dog Look To Rest?
Should People Have To Pass an IQ Test before Getting a Dog?
 |
| I can smell things you cannot see. |
I never gave a second thought to timing considerations.
We'd typically go first thing in the morning for practical reasons such as urine analysis, or because we wanted to see the vet as soon as possible. Only for physical therapy we had afternoon or evening appointments.
It has never crossed my mind that something like that could matter.
Until Cookie's last appointment. We took her in for an integrative consultation to figure out the best way to get her liver happy. The appointment was at 4PM, almost at the end of the day.
The guys were excited to go in, as always. They were happy to see the vet, as always.
Then the technician walked in to draw Cookie's blood. Cookie took one look at her and started barking. The technician was surprised, "You don't want to be friends today?" They've met before and all was good and friendly in the past.
The vet asked me if Cookie was a sensitive girl.
"Yes," I answered, "she's quite sensitive, why?"
As it turned out, just before walking into our exam room, the technician was handling/restraining a dog who got attacked by some other dogs. The dog was out of his mind with fear and anxiety, spreading alarm pheromones all over.
Apparently, Cookie immediately picked up on that.
The technician offered some treats and Cookie stopped barking. However, didn't want to come anywhere near the technician nor she wanted to stay in the exam room all together.
All she wanted to do was to get out of there.
Even after the blood was drawn. The vet was doing her integrative exam and Cookie let her do it politely but her eyes were on the door.
We were going to discuss some stuff first before continuing with the exam but I asked whether all the hands-on stuff could be done right away. The discussion could wait until Cookie got to get our of there.
I have never seen her so unhappy about being anywhere.
Once the exam was done, hubby took Cookie away and the vet and I finished our discussions. It got me thinking. Cookie is a confident, happy girl but got completely thrown off by the scent of utter fear from the other dog.
Makes me think what happens to dogs who are already fearful or anxious.
How much more profound effect something like this would have on them, already expecting horrible things happening and then having the evidence of a dog in anguish right under their noses?
I realize these things are not happening all the time but I imagine that stress does accumulate through the day, leaving its traces everywhere.
From now own we'll stick to first appointments in the morning as much as possible.
What about you? Did you notice that afternoon appointments might inadvertently end up more stressful for your dog? Do you think it might be because of things that happened through the day and left their traces?
Related articles:
Incontinence? Cookie's Mysterious Leaks
From The End Of A Lead Line To Casa Jasmine: Meet Cookie, Our New Adoptee
And So It Begins Again(?) Our First Health-Related Heart Attack With Cookie
I Didn't Know I Could Fly: Why Cookie Wears A Harness Instead Of A Collar
C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Chews For Dogs CAN Be A Choking Hazzard
Our First Health-Related Heart Attack With Cookie: The Knee Or The Foot?
Creative Solutions And An Incidental Product Review
Too Young For Pot: Cookie's Snack With A Side Of Hydrogen Peroxide
Taming Of The Wild Beast: Cookie's Transition To Civilization
Staying On Top Of The Ears: Cookie Is Not Impressed
Putting The Easy Back Into Walking
Cookie's Ears Are Still Not Happy
The Threat Of The Bulge Is Always Lurking
Today Is Cookie's Three-Months Adoptoversary
Cookie Meets The Electric Horse Fence And Her First Chiropractic Adjustment
Why Examine Your Dog's Vomit?
Why Is That Leg Still Not Happy? Cookie's Leg Keeps Getting Sore
Cookie Too Is Insured With Trupanion
Does Being Insured Mean Being Covered? Our First Claim With Trupanion
Is Cookie's Leg Finally Getting Better?
Is Cookie Going To Be Another Medical Challenge Or Are We Looking To Closely?
The Project That Is Cookie: Pancreatitis Up Close And Personal
Pancreatitis: Cookie’s Blood Work
Another Belly Upset: Pancreatitis Again Or Not?
Happy Birthday, Cookie
Who's Training Whom? Stick And Treat
Don't Just Stand There, Do Something? Cookie's Mysterious Bumps
Cookie's Mysterious Bumps Update
One Vomit, No Vomit
Happy One-Year Adoptoversary, Cookie!
Cookie's Leaks Are Back: Garden Variety Incontinence Or Not?
Cookie's Leaks Update
Don't Panic, Don't Panic: Know What Your Job Is
The Continuing Saga Of Cookie's Leeks: Trying Chiropractic Approach
Cookie's Minor Eye Irritation
Regular Wellness Exam: Cookie's ALT Was Elevated
Cookie's Plantar Paw Pad Injury
How Far To Take It When The Dog Isn't Sick?
Cookie Has Tapeworm Infection
Cookie's Elevated ALT: The Ultrasound and Cytology
Cookie's ALT Update
From The End Of A Lead Line To Casa Jasmine: Meet Cookie, Our New Adoptee
Creative Solutions And An Incidental Product Review
Taming Of The Wild Beast: Cookie's Transition To Civilization
Staying On Top Of The Ears: Cookie Is Not Impressed
Who's Training Whom? Stick And Treat
Observation Skills Of Dogs
If You Want Your Dog To Do Something, Teach It
Tricks? It's Not Just About The Tricks
What Constitutes The Perfect Dog?
Are Dog Training Classes Really For The Dogs?
Look Where You Want To Go: Finding My Reactive Dog Training Zen Zone?
Dog Training And Emotions
Dog Training And Emotions: Postscript
Dogs Love Sentences In Question Form?
Not All Dog Trainers Were Created Equal Either
A Thought On Separation Anxiety
Happy One-Year Adoptoversary, Cookie!
About Freedom, Trust And Responsibility: A "Pilot Study"
So, We Have A Bear
About Happiness: What Makes Your Dog Happy?
Our Example Of The Use Of "Look At That" (LAT)
Why Do Dogs Dig?
Who Is In The Wrong?
Your Dog Wants To Follow You. You Just Gotta Be Going Some Place
We Still Have Two Dogs: A "Pilot Study" Part Two
Early Winter Safety: Exploring New Territories
Cookie Is Okay. We ... Might Be, Eventually. (Don't Try This At Home)
One Thing I Love About Winter: I See What They "See"
Give Your Dog What They Need, Get What You Want
Cookie, The First Of The Great Hunting Rottweilers
Distance Is a Relative Concept
Dog Communication: Be Good to Cookie or She'll Tell on You
The Benefit of the Doubt
Putting The Guilty Dog Look To Rest?
Should People Have To Pass an IQ Test before Getting a Dog?
The time of day was never anything I considered. It could certainly affect a dog's mood though. I am going to try taking my dog to the vet in the morning next time to see if there are any changes. http://www.animalcarecenters.net/
ReplyDeleteThe later on in the day, the better chance of things having happened and leaving their "traces" in the place as it seems. It was certainly the case with Cookie during the last appointment. Never saw her that unhappy at the vet.
DeleteNot so much vets because Mr. N hates the vet no matter what time it is but I noticed that when we had training classes at the humane society, he was over the top reactive. He's pretty sensitive and the classes are held right by intake and the vet there. I think he can smell the fear and anxiety.
ReplyDeleteThey certainly "know" things about which we have no idea and react to them.
DeleteThat's so interesting. I've never thought about the scent of a fearful dog lingering in that way. I sometimes think late afternoon appointments might result in a vet or vet tech that's tired from a long day resulting in a quicker and less thorough exam. I might make Haley's next appointment in the morning to see if there's a difference.
ReplyDeleteThe staff being more tired and stressed is certainly possible. But I've never seen that affect the appointment with our vets yet.
DeleteBoth the vet and the technician seemed happy enough; it clearly wasn't that. It was the vet who made the connection.
Interesting - never thought about it before, but it makes sense.
ReplyDeleteIt does, doesn't it? The vet made the connection right away when Cookie reacted to the tech that way.
DeleteHmmmm wow, I have never thought about that before. My huskies all hate the vets despite their attempts to give them treats lol!
ReplyDeleteღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
It never occurred to me either, until this last time.
DeleteThat is an interesting point. I never thought about the time of day when visiting the veterinarian either. Of course, my pets happen to be cats and cats are just not happy about the veterinarian no matter what. It is really the whole being out of their territory thing that they don't like.
ReplyDeleteI never thought of these things either. But this last visit was quite noteworthy, particularly when we did have an explanation.
DeleteI do early morning appointments mainly to avoid seeing a lot of other animals in the room (my dog is a bit reactive)
ReplyDeleteYeah, helps for that too.
DeleteWow, I never would have thought of that! It does make complete sense. Thanks for sharing your experience.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't have either. But does make sense in light of the last visit.
ReplyDeleteThat's a pretty amazing story. Dogs are so sensitive with their sense of smell. Good thing the tech was intuitive enough to know that was the source of her fear.
ReplyDeleteYes, would have had no clue otherwise as to what caused Cookie's reaction.
DeleteThat is something I've never considered, but it makes perfect sense. I have noticed Theo get more wound up if a dog is whining or barking. From what I've read, dogs have a real reaction to the room that is used for euthanasia. I know that in humans nervous sweat smells different than sweat caused by exercise, so it seems that a dog would definitely pick up scents as way to determine if the vet's is a safe or scary place.
ReplyDeleteYeah, they know things we don't even dream of. And I'm sure the "scary air" accumulates during the day.
DeleteThis was a new one for me too; never thought of this until the last visit.
It doesn't matter what time Odin goes he is a chicken little , he does handstands when they try to take his temp , poor boy <3 Good that you found out what helps our situation:)
ReplyDeleteSome dogs just hate going to the vet period. Roxy did. And even though Jasmine loved going to the vet, she'd climb everything (and everybody) in sight to avoid needles or thermometers :-)
DeleteI only ever had one instance of that kind of immediate and irreconcilable fear reaction with my Eng Springer Spaniel. It was an afternoon appointment and Dickens decided once the tech took him, he was not having anything to do with that guy. They could not get a muzzle on him, and he came running back to me in the exam room. He hugged the wall and barred his teeth with hackles raised at the vet and the tech. I was shocked. I took him to the waiting room and tried to calm him down, held him for awhile and gently put the muzzle on him. I was really mad because I thought rough handling had been involved, and asked the tech to tell me exactly what happened. This gives me another perspective of that incident!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry your dog had such a terrible experience. Cookie didn't get aggressive but really didn't want to be there. She did take treats from the tech and allowed pets but here eyes were trained on the door.
DeleteWho knows what went on before the tech brought your dog in the back; perhaps something similar.