Vet appointment results. The good AND the bad.

[Rugers-Kris]

I will start with Magnum because his is all good news. Magnum weighed in at 176.4 pounds (He is now 1.3 years old) , He got his shots and brand new Rabies tag and had a follow up skin scrape and the demodex is completely gone! Yay. His fecal and heartworm test was negative but He has some little bumps on his back AGAIN and it is a skin infection so we started some new Antibiotics and he received a good dose of antibiotic injection to get him started. If they come back again, it will be time to invest in some allergy testing BUT He had a blast of course because he is an attention whore. LOL

Ruger's appointment did not go so well. I took him into the room (He was wearing his harness with two headed leash attached, His martingale with the traffic lead attached and his muzzle of course. As soon as the first women walked in, He gave her his "You came here to die" speech and began to move forward. I told him to settle and park it (Ruger knows that "park it" means that he is to sit and not move again unless I instruct him to) and he did. She took a step forward and although he stayed in the park it...He went all Cujo with the nastiest growl ever, showing all of his teeth and drooling like a rabid dog. He ignored command to stop although he never attempted to move forward. I saw it in her eyes and I knew we had just met the day I had a feeling we would come to. She wasn't going to touch him.....

We are officially at the point that Ruger will now have to be knocked out for his vet appointments.

My heart is broken. I had hoped to never have to go this route. I am scared to death about letting him get knocked out.......Sigh

 

[angelbears]

Was this a tech or the vet? Either way I would use someone else. That person is way to scared to deal with Ruger.

Another thing I was going to suggest is that one of your sons take Ruger in. He is reacting to the vibes that both you and the vet are giving off.

IMHO, a dog in a quality muzzle is not going to severely hurt the vet.

 

[Rugers-Kris]

It was a tech but I have to admit that I don't blame her or them. I am one of those idiots that don't have enough sense to be afraid of dogs, even the means one, and I will be honest with you.....If Ruger wasn't mine....I would not deal with him under these circumstances. I really wouldn't. It is hard for me to be honest with myself because I know me and I know I have control and when I see Ruger, although I know he is dangerous to strangers, I see my sweet boy but I absolutely would refuse to work with him if I were a stranger. His presence alone is intimidating as hell. Then when he announces himself it is bone chilling, Honestly.

Ruger doesn't take commands from anyone but me (beyond house commands when we are hanging out sit, hug, lay down, etc.) and is just too serious when it comes to protecting me, his people, himself and his space so giving the responsibility to my son or anyone else is not an option.

He definitely is not reacting to our vibes. As much as I dread these appointments I am completely confident when it comes to handling my dog. He is reacting to a stranger in his space. It is no difference than any other time someone tries to approach him except that they don't try to continue to once he tells them to stop.

You would need to see Ruger in true form under these circumstances to understand completely but intimidating and serious just aren't good enough words to do it justice.

I have been through several vets for several reasons and this one is wonderful and has put forth more effort for Ruger than any others and has shown no fear. She is amazed and impressed with him completely but she is drawing the line and I am devastated that it has come to this point and I am very nervous about the process but I think the time has come.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Did they tell you what drugs they want to use?

 

[Rugers-Kris]

They will be sending me all of the paperwork as I was ready to get out of there. I heard Thipental and Telazo but we did not not discuss what the plan was for Ruger. They will be forwarding everything to me and then I will make a decision and assuming we can agree on what, He will go back next Friday morning.

 

[fdchampion]

So sorry to hear it didn't go very well...I know this is probably not an option but it doesn't hurt to ask...are there any tests you can do on him at home and then take back to the vet? Maybe they can give you the tests at the vet and you can do them by yourself with only Ruger in the room? Just a suggestion...I know you don't want to have to give him the drugs.

 

[musicdeb]

Man, I'm so sorry to hear that about Mr. Ruger. That's my fear, as Titan will be seeing a new vet in 10 days. I decided to switch vets because the last vet was terrified of Titan and Titan knew it.

 

[Rugers-Kris]

Bloodwork is bloodwork so there really isn't anyway around getting that done. I sure wish I could, though. I appreciate you taking the time to suggest something. I really hate it but I think I will just have to do it this way. I guess the upside is that it will be less stressful for him....Drugging him just scares me. I really want him to have a full check up, though.

So sorry to hear it didn't go very well...I know this is probably not an option but it doesn't hurt to ask...are there any tests you can do on him at home and then take back to the vet? Maybe they can give you the tests at the vet and you can do them by yourself with only Ruger in the room? Just a suggestion...I know you don't want to have to give him the drugs.

Thank you. I hope you don't find yourself in this position, Deb. Like I said in my comment above. I totally understand how they feel. They have real good energy around him but the reality is that he is big and intimidating and very serious. Muzzle or no muzzle, he could do some harm in that little room if he went off. I can and do control him but all it would take is one slip, ya know? I cried all the way home because I am such a big baby when it comes to these boys.

Man, I'm so sorry to hear that about Mr. Ruger. That's my fear, as Titan will be seeing a new vet in 10 days. I decided to switch vets because the last vet was terrified of Titan and Titan knew it.

 

[musicdeb]

I wish I could offer some words of wisdom. I would be doing the same thing, crying.

 

[Sadies Mom]

How is he before you go into the exam room? When Sadie was younger and trying to control everything, my vet would do a lot of the stuff in the waiting area. The exam room made Sadie feel uneasy and would lash out. Now she could care less, it is just another cool floor to cool off on.

 

[Rugers-Kris]

I appreciate it. I have second guessed myself all day since. I am just so afraid to drug him but I need him to have a full check up .......Then I am freaking out that he will have a reaction of some sort to the drug and.....It goes on and on.

I wish I could offer some words of wisdom. I would be doing the same thing, crying.

 

[Rugers-Kris]

The thing is Ruger is totally calm and cool in the waiting room and the small room as long as they don't get in his "zone" and don't try to touch him which is a problem since they have to. He is super calm and confident no matter where he is ...I can take him anywhere. He kicks back at the gun range no problem....Lays around my office all day and doesn't pay any mind to people anywhere...He couldn't care less...Until they get in his zone...Then all bets are off.

How is he before you go into the exam room? When Sadie was younger and trying to control everything, my vet would do a lot of the stuff in the waiting area. The exam room made Sadie feel uneasy and would lash out. Now she could care less, it is just another cool floor to cool off on.

 

[Sadies Mom]

Ok. Sadie gets like that on her ultrasound appointments. The last time she needed to be sedated, so every time we go for a kidney check, that is what we have to do

 

[Hector]

Hector gets sedated whenever they're going need to. He's been sedated once and it's not that scary after seeing him recover fine afterwards.

 

[Penelope's Mom]

I'm so sorry it didn't go well. I'm sure Ruger will do just fine with sedation and it will also give you a chance to relax a little during his vet visits. It's great to hear Magnum is a big, healthy boy.

 

[angelbears]

Kris if you are going to allow them to sedate Ruger. I would think that you are going to need one of your sons there to help you get him back in the truck. When Cane was sedated he still didn't have all his coordination. We had a hell of a time getting him back in the truck. I would at least ask the vet if they think you will need help. Be sure and remind them that one of their techs will not be able to help. This was not Ace, this is when he had to have xrays and was knocked out.

A lot is going to depend upon how deep they are going to sedate him. The only time I have been half ass afraid of Cane is when he was coming out of it. He was so confused and on edge. Finally I took him by his lips, got nose to nose with him and told him, "It's Momma", that really seem to help. I have had to do some really painful things to Cane. He has always just turned his head and let me do what I ever I had to do(except for clipping his nails even then he has never tried to bite.)

Also, if you have ever thought of having his hips x-rayed this would be the time to do it.

 

[zardac]

Our Chance was fearful at the vets, and had to be anesthetized three or four times.

We made sure we used these opportunities to do everything that might be needed- blood draws, tumor, teeth, feet, nails- all in one fell swoop.

We also had a vet that was willing to take a team approach.

Spouse and I ended up doing some of the hands on stuff- Chance was just fine with injections given by my wife, and temperatures when I took them. The vet would coach us through other activities.

We used the cell phone to film Chance at home, documenting problems or progress for the vet.

The vet was willing to come out to our car to eyeball Chance (he was required to see the patient before treating).

We did a lot of reporting and discussion to compensate for the uncooperative patient.

We didn't solve the problem of fear aggression at the vets, but worked around it to make it as safe and stress free as we could.

 

[Rugers-Kris]

It is just so difficult to know I have to do this to him. But I do.

Ok. Sadie gets like that on her ultrasound appointments. The last time she needed to be sedated, so every time we go for a kidney check, that is what we have to do 

Thank you. I know I am being ridiculous but it is a really scary thought for me. It is a catch 22...If I don't do it and get the stuff done and he gets sick because of it, I will hate myself. If I do it and something horrible happens because of the sedation I will hate myself. :-(

Hector gets sedated whenever they're going need to. He's been sedated once and it's not that scary after seeing him recover fine afterwards.

Thank you for the reassurance. Yep, Magnum is huge and healthy.

I'm so sorry it didn't go well. I'm sure Ruger will do just fine with sedation and it will also give you a chance to relax a little during his vet visits. It's great to hear Magnum is a big, healthy boy.

I talked to them about and it they say they aren't going to use enough that he will be under long and that he should be able to walk out of his own doing but I am going to have one of the boys on standby just in case. So, if what they say is true, he shouldn't be under deep enough for it to be an issue and hopefully he will not be confused and on edge but I will take as long as he wakes up. I am such a weirdo about sedation and I just totally hate the idea. I appreciate the advice. I am just a mess over this.

Kris if you are going to allow them to sedate Ruger. I would think that you are going to need one of your sons there to help you get him back in the truck. When Cane was sedated he still didn't have all his coordination. We had a hell of a time getting him back in the truck. I would at least ask the vet if they think you will need help. Be sure and remind them that one of their techs will not be able to help. This was not Ace, this is when he had to have xrays and was knocked out.

A lot is going to depend upon how deep they are going to sedate him. The only time I have been half ass afraid of Cane is when he was coming out of it. He was so confused and on edge. Finally I took him by his lips, got nose to nose with him and told him, "It's Momma", that really seem to help. I have had to do some really painful things to Cane. He has always just turned his head and let me do what I ever I had to do(except for clipping his nails even then he has never tried to bite.)

Also, if you have ever thought of having his hips x-rayed this would be the time to do it.

 

[Rugers-Kris]

I want everyone to know how much it means to me that you are taking the time to offer suggestions or good thoughts. I am sure it seems silly to a lot of you but it really scares me to put him under and all of your words are very appreciated.

 

[Hector]

I want everyone to know how much it means to me that you are taking the time to offer suggestions or good thoughts. I am sure it seems silly to a lot of you but it really scares me to put him under and all of your words are very appreciated.

I was scared too, but knowing it was an emergency trip there was no room for that. All they did was give him a shot to sedate him and then another shot afterwards to reverse the drug. He woke up fine, but was disoriented and thank god he didn't turn into cujo and yes you will need help to load the big guy up in the car.