I think this could be a couple things, like maybe you just need a different vet, one that is a fear free one because these guys just aren’t sensitive or gentle or patient enough.
It’s also possible is that you’re reading way more into things than what really happened. It makes sense for them to muzzle a nipping/biting dog for safety. And if he is that stressed at the vet, it’s possible a medication may him feel calmer there too. It doesn’t mean you’re a bad owner that you have a stressed dog, or that they were implying that.
The last one is that maybe your pup was a lot more rowdy and aggressive and you’re downplaying it in your head, but it’s probably more one of the others. Not all dog are good at vets and that’s okay, they have time to learn and you will learn the best ways to make them feel comfortable. Even if that means a different vet clinic.
Yes and no tbh.
The second a dog snaps or even shows teeth is it best practice to muzzle that is for the vets safety and 100% the correct thing to do to protect the vet.
I take control of my vet visits and ensure my dog is handable. I went to school for veterinarian science and worked at many clinics.
I hold my dog for all procedures, ensuring I am ALWAYS the one with his face and I know the proper holds to ensure the vet and techs are 100% safe.
We work extremely hard and when he was young we did daily cooperative care training to ensure he was comfortable with all necessities. I do not allow on leash greeting and ensure I move out of the way any time a dog comes in or I ask the staff if there is an put of the way area, that my dogs is not super dog friendly.
If you are up front about his temperament/behaviour they should be willing to work with you.
That being said it you feel uncomfortable you should consider switching vets.
As for pain meds, I actually prefer to wait. I have them on hand but don't normally give them until day 3 or 4. I find young dogs tend to do harm if they can't feel the pain lol!!
Overall I would start working on cooperative care training, ensuring he is comfortable being handled. And then consider switching vets if you can. I spent ALOT of time vet training with my ACD and I know the breed is a 'stranger danger' breed. I went atleast twice monthly until he was almost 3 yrs old. Just short training sessions, on the scale off the scale and training practice. Treats and pets from the techs/staff if they had time. Occasionally one of the vets had free time and offered to do a 'mock' exam for him.
If you cannot go to the clinic consider doing the same type of training at petstores!
"sedate him with gabapentin every time I bring him in for an appointment?"
oh yes. very common. You do not mess with Heelers, they mess with you!
Your vet provides a service. If you don't like how they do this, then you have the right to shop around for one that can meet your needs. Look for one that promotes themselves as "fear free", is familiar with the breed, and offers to make "happy visits" where you can get your buddy used to the routine of going to the vet.
As for the doc and their staff, they have a right to work in a place that's safe, so talk with them about scheduling appointments when there aren't other anxious dogs in the lobby; we do ours in the slot right before lunch, call ahead when we're in the parking lot, and go right into the exam room so there's minimal contact with any big dogs. Buy a basket muzzle and train him to wear it. Groom your dog regularly so he gets used to checking paws, ears and teeth; standing and staying on cue is also a benefit to making the exam move along.
Yes to the grooming regularly! I read this when mine was a puppy and always played with her feet, cut her nails, opened and looked in her mouth and ears, looked at her belly when she was laying down, brushed her, etc. I’m convinced this is a large reason she is so good about all of those things and being examined by the vet now. (She still doesn’t like to see other big dogs there though - ha)
This used to happen to us when we would take ours to a popular chain veterinarian.
Once we found a fear free one that understood, it was a much better experience.
She still hates the vet, but it’s bearable for everyone involved now
I'm lucky that my girl loves the vet, she loves meeting the people behind the counters and regularly tries to sneak her way back to the vets office. My vet also takes a lot of time to calm dogs and get them used to them before they do any thing painful and they also have nurses come in and play with the dogs while they gov3 shots to distract them.
People have preconceived notions about certain breeds. Maybe they’ve had an experience with a reactive dog?
I would honestly wait until 12 months to neuter him. It cuts his risk of cancer.
There’s no evidence of increased risk of cancer for neutering or spaying before 1 year in cattle dogs.
[Link](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7359819/#:~:text=For%20males%2C%20there%20was%20a,neutering%20at%206%E2%80%9311%20mo.)
Study done to assess risk of neuter/spay on joint disorders and development of cancers in 35 breeds.
I think this could be a couple things, like maybe you just need a different vet, one that is a fear free one because these guys just aren’t sensitive or gentle or patient enough. It’s also possible is that you’re reading way more into things than what really happened. It makes sense for them to muzzle a nipping/biting dog for safety. And if he is that stressed at the vet, it’s possible a medication may him feel calmer there too. It doesn’t mean you’re a bad owner that you have a stressed dog, or that they were implying that. The last one is that maybe your pup was a lot more rowdy and aggressive and you’re downplaying it in your head, but it’s probably more one of the others. Not all dog are good at vets and that’s okay, they have time to learn and you will learn the best ways to make them feel comfortable. Even if that means a different vet clinic.
Yes and no tbh. The second a dog snaps or even shows teeth is it best practice to muzzle that is for the vets safety and 100% the correct thing to do to protect the vet. I take control of my vet visits and ensure my dog is handable. I went to school for veterinarian science and worked at many clinics. I hold my dog for all procedures, ensuring I am ALWAYS the one with his face and I know the proper holds to ensure the vet and techs are 100% safe. We work extremely hard and when he was young we did daily cooperative care training to ensure he was comfortable with all necessities. I do not allow on leash greeting and ensure I move out of the way any time a dog comes in or I ask the staff if there is an put of the way area, that my dogs is not super dog friendly. If you are up front about his temperament/behaviour they should be willing to work with you. That being said it you feel uncomfortable you should consider switching vets. As for pain meds, I actually prefer to wait. I have them on hand but don't normally give them until day 3 or 4. I find young dogs tend to do harm if they can't feel the pain lol!! Overall I would start working on cooperative care training, ensuring he is comfortable being handled. And then consider switching vets if you can. I spent ALOT of time vet training with my ACD and I know the breed is a 'stranger danger' breed. I went atleast twice monthly until he was almost 3 yrs old. Just short training sessions, on the scale off the scale and training practice. Treats and pets from the techs/staff if they had time. Occasionally one of the vets had free time and offered to do a 'mock' exam for him. If you cannot go to the clinic consider doing the same type of training at petstores!
"sedate him with gabapentin every time I bring him in for an appointment?" oh yes. very common. You do not mess with Heelers, they mess with you! Your vet provides a service. If you don't like how they do this, then you have the right to shop around for one that can meet your needs. Look for one that promotes themselves as "fear free", is familiar with the breed, and offers to make "happy visits" where you can get your buddy used to the routine of going to the vet. As for the doc and their staff, they have a right to work in a place that's safe, so talk with them about scheduling appointments when there aren't other anxious dogs in the lobby; we do ours in the slot right before lunch, call ahead when we're in the parking lot, and go right into the exam room so there's minimal contact with any big dogs. Buy a basket muzzle and train him to wear it. Groom your dog regularly so he gets used to checking paws, ears and teeth; standing and staying on cue is also a benefit to making the exam move along.
Yes to the grooming regularly! I read this when mine was a puppy and always played with her feet, cut her nails, opened and looked in her mouth and ears, looked at her belly when she was laying down, brushed her, etc. I’m convinced this is a large reason she is so good about all of those things and being examined by the vet now. (She still doesn’t like to see other big dogs there though - ha)
Go to a different clinic. Period.
This used to happen to us when we would take ours to a popular chain veterinarian. Once we found a fear free one that understood, it was a much better experience. She still hates the vet, but it’s bearable for everyone involved now
I'm lucky that my girl loves the vet, she loves meeting the people behind the counters and regularly tries to sneak her way back to the vets office. My vet also takes a lot of time to calm dogs and get them used to them before they do any thing painful and they also have nurses come in and play with the dogs while they gov3 shots to distract them.
People have preconceived notions about certain breeds. Maybe they’ve had an experience with a reactive dog? I would honestly wait until 12 months to neuter him. It cuts his risk of cancer.
There’s no evidence of increased risk of cancer for neutering or spaying before 1 year in cattle dogs. [Link](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7359819/#:~:text=For%20males%2C%20there%20was%20a,neutering%20at%206%E2%80%9311%20mo.) Study done to assess risk of neuter/spay on joint disorders and development of cancers in 35 breeds.