need MAJOR help with my dog!

[vet4ever]

---

Members don't see this ad.

ok, so i have a dog named gretchen who is an austrilian sheppard, blue heeler (can't spell the best!) mix. she is aprox. 2 yrs old. she is a very sweet dog and would never mean to hurt any one. the problem we have with her is that when we go to the vet she tottally freaks out!!!!! she thows her self around, snaps at the vet and the vet techs, and makes noises like she is being tortured. i kno that the vet is not doing anything wrong. it gets so bad that they have to muzzle her and sedate her for a regular examnation. what can we do to make it easier on her and the employee's? is this the right site to ask this question? let me kno if it is please!!!!!!!! many thanks for your help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!😍😍😍😍

 

[sofficat]

try bringing him to the vet every week, or a few days a week, just to say hi. have the employees give him treats, maybe pet him, then take him home. do that for a bit to see if he calms down after a while. that way the vet isn't such a bad place.

 

[chris03333]

ok, so i have a dog named gretchen who is an austrilian sheppard, blue heeler (can't spell the best!) mix. she is aprox. 2 yrs old. she is a very sweet dog and would never mean to hurt any one. the problem we have with her is that when we go to the vet she tottally freaks out!!!!! she thows her self around, snaps at the vet and the vet techs, and makes noises like she is being tortured. i kno that the vet is not doing anything wrong. it gets so bad that they have to muzzle her and sedate her for a regular examnation. what can we do to make it easier on her and the employee's? is this the right site to ask this question? let me kno if it is please!!!!!!!! many thanks for your help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!😍😍😍😍

Just do not be offended and let them know ahead of time that they need sedation/muzzle. That makes the job much less stressful on all.👍

 

[Angelo84]

Does she freak the second she enters the door or is it only when the vet tries to examine her? If it is when she enters desensitize to the place first as someone above suggested. Does she let you handle her? If so and you can do it safely do fake exams on her--check her eyes, mouth, run your hands over her body, pick up her feet etc. This will make it less scarey when the vet does the same thing to her. If you think she would not tolerate this then either muzzle her first (you can get a basket muzzle they are more comfortable and you can feed yummy delicious treats). The other option is to just be prepared to have to muzzle and sedate her.

 

[vet4ever]

in response to angel, she kind of does freak when we get in the door and when we are going to the examnation room. i have tried doing a "fake exam", but it does to work for me eirther. i have practiced holding her and she lets me do it, but not for very long. and she hates it when i try to check her eyes and ears, etc. i think she is more affriad of being check and being handled because she will not let me carry her for very long. we also have tried taking her there and leaving, staff giving treats (she will not even let them touch her!)i am just looking for a alternitve to muzzle and sedation.

 

[Emio]

i am just looking for a alternitve to muzzle and sedation.

thats what people have been giving you.

you have to train this out of her. if she's not well-adjusted for an exam, then your option is to not take her (bad idea) or have her muzzled and/or sedated.

obviously it's not something that will be easy to fix, and she may well have to be sedated every time she's in there. setting her up for success every time you're in there will help. don't make a big deal out of it... get her to the point that she's bored there. walk her in every day, i don't know, do a couple obediance commands, give her an ice cream cone, and go home. if you're religious about it, she will likely get used to it and calm down. just remember to never set her up for failure.. make it easy for her to win!

 

[Bill59]

If your veterinarian has experience with this they should be able to help you. If not, I would look into referral to a veterinary behaviorist to get an accurate diagnosis and set up a treatment plan.

In general, for anxiety/phobia problems you want to use behavior modification of desensitization and counterconditioning. The basics of this aren't really complicated but it has to be done correctly and carefully or you will just inadvertently make the problem worse. In fact, if this has been going on for 2 years that might be a problem.

The key is you have to gradually increase her exposure but always keeping it short of inducing anxiety. For example, if she freaks out entering the door that's too much. Every time the situation causes anxiety it makes here more scared the next time.

Also appropriate drug therapy can help by diminishing the anxiety.Be aware certain drugs might be contraindicated (like acepromazine) because they can actually exacerbate the problem.

Like I said, this is in general ... for specific recommendations you need a veterinarian.

 

[vet4ever]

in response to bill, are you saying that i should hire someone like cesar millan? where can i find a behavior specialist?

 

[silverelf]

try this

http://www.avsabonline.org/avsabonline/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=79&Itemid=214

 

[Bill59]

Also your veterinarian should be familiar with the specialists in your region for referral.

 

[vet4ever]

If not, I would look into referral to a veterinary behaviorist to get an accurate diagnosis and set up a treatment plan.

what exzactly does this veterinary behavorist do? is it like a shrink for animals?😕

 

[Bill59]

what exzactly does this veterinary behavorist do? is it like a shrink for animals?😕

Did you see the link silverelf posted?

Veterinary behaviorists diagnose and treat behavior disorders of animals. In some cases these are variants of normal species-specific behavior that causes a problem in the family situation. The most common are dominance aggression in dogs and elimination problems in cats. In other cases, these are truly pathologic brain diseases presenting as abnormal behavior.

The process is pretty similar as for any other medical evaluation. The doctor starts with a history, which is usually very detailed for behavior problems. Then there's an examination and usually some laboratory tests such as blood work, urinalysis and maybe imaging. Based on the diagnosis, they recommend a treatment, which might include medication or surgery for any underlying cause, a behavior modification program and/or drug therapy.

There's often some sort of followup and re-evaluation over time as with any other chronic disorder.

 

[vet4ever]

Did you see the link silverelf posted?

Veterinary behaviorists diagnose and treat behavior disorders of animals. In some cases these are variants of normal species-specific behavior that causes a problem in the family situation. The most common are dominance aggression in dogs and elimination problems in cats. In other cases, these are truly pathologic brain diseases presenting as abnormal behavior.

The process is pretty similar as for any other medical evaluation. The doctor starts with a history, which is usually very detailed for behavior problems. Then there's an examination and usually some laboratory tests such as blood work, urinalysis and maybe imaging. Based on the diagnosis, they recommend a treatment, which might include medication or surgery for any underlying cause, a behavior modification program and/or drug therapy.

There's often some sort of followup and re-evaluation over time as with any other chronic disorder.

but how can a mediciation or surgery cure a behavor problem?

 

[PiddlingFish]

but how can a mediciation or surgery cure a behavor problem?

Like this:

Classes of Drugs for Canine Behavior Problems

Antihistamines

Low dosages of antihistamines do not work as well in dogs as they do in people. However, research from Cornell University suggest that higher dosages can be effective in treating seasonal allergies, which can result in licking or chewing the body. The medication stops histamine release which curbs itching. Because of their sleep-inducing side-effect, antihistamines are also prescribed for automobile travel.

Tranquilizers

Tranquilizers do not have a real role in behavior modification, says Dr...Karen Overall, V.M.D. because they are sedative agents. The decreased responsiveness can interfere with behavior modification. However, one class of tranquilizers - benzodiazepines - works differently than others and may be used in some cases. Valium, falls into this class.

Mood Stabilizers

Lithium, which is used to treat bipolar disease (manic depression) in people, is considered a mood stabilizer. It is not widely used in veterinary medicine. Dr. Overall says the mood swings in people with bipolar disease are similar to those found in some aggressive dogs. She says mood stabilizers seem to work in some aggressive dogs but the therapeutic and toxic levels are very close and exact monitoring of the animal is essential. This in not practical for most dog owners.

Anticonvulsants

Phenobarbital works well in dogs with stereotypical behaviors that might be associated with seizures, says Dr. Overall. Anticonvulsants were widely used for years in treating behavior problems in dogs, but because of the profound sedative effect, it was difficult to tell if the problem was improved.

Progestins

These hormones were an old drug of choice for almost anything, says Dr. Overall. But, she adds, they do not work as well as the new drugs. They may have a calming side effect, which is one reason they were used. Male dogs were thought to fight more than females, so female hormones were given to stop males from fighting. It's not really that simple, says Dr. Overall. New studies show that male dogs may not fight more than females. Hormones have a wide range of harmful side effects.

Antidepressants

Used to treat depression in in human medicine, antidepressants- including Prozac- are beginning to show promising results in veterinary behavior medicine. They are used to reduce anxiety including separation anxiety, fears and some aggression.

Anxiolytics

Developed for atypical depression; nonspecific, generalized anxiety disorders; and some obsessive-compulsive syndromes.

Narcotics

Have been used to treat sterotypic and ritualistic behaviors in dogs.

Lots of puppy drugs. 🙂

 

[vet4ever]

Like this:




Lots of puppy drugs. 🙂

oh!

 

[Bill59]

And for surgery ...

Portosystemic shunts can cause abnormal behavior. These are often fixed with surgery.

Brain tumors often cause abnormal behavior or seizures that can be confused with episodic behavior abnormalities. Same for other brain diseases, such as hydrocephalus and Chiari 1-type malformations.

Some animals presenting for aggression are snappy because they're in chronic pain. Intervertebral disc surgery for neck pain, TPLO for cruciate rupture, total hip for hip DJD ...

 

[vet4ever]

but couldent history also play a role? after all my dog did come from the humaine society and her past is sorta unknown. but some how sombody trained her! we know that the place did not because the animal had to be staying there over a yr to get that sort of treatment. my family thinks that she was abused because the pound people said at 1st they had to get her out of the car (struggled out of fear!), then they had to teach her how to tottally trust humans, this of wich she still has a lot of work to do. she is also VERY submissive! like if you kind of have your had over her she crounges down, almost as if she is affraid. she still does this after we have lived with her for over 2yrs! she is a very smart dog though and very willing to learn! i geuss thats why i love her so much!😍

 

[Red Dobie]

Some excellent advise from others here. One thing to add, notify the your vet a few minutes before you arrive. Have a tech or a vet meet you outside with a treat the dog really values, make the trip a positive one. Give him treats outside, while walking in, and while waiting for the vet. (Do whatever you can to distract him and keep his attention on you rather then his surroundings)

He's likely had a bad experience in the past at a vet hospital. When he begins to become uneasy, be sure to remain calm (hopefully the vet and tech are calm, as well). Good luck!

 

[vet4ever]

Some excellent advise from others here. One thing to add, notify the your vet a few minutes before you arrive. Have a tech or a vet meet you outside with a treat the dog really values, make the trip a positive one. Give him treats outside, while walking in, and while waiting for the vet. (Do whatever you can to distract him and keep his attention on you rather then his surroundings)

He's likely had a bad experience in the past at a vet hospital. When he begins to become uneasy, be sure to remain calm (hopefully the vet and tech are calm, as well). Good luck!

that is just it though, we have tried all of that! does any one know a good Veterinary behaviorists in the rochester/minnesota area?

 

[vet4ever]

Some excellent advise from others here. One thing to add, notify the your vet a few minutes before you arrive. Have a tech or a vet meet you outside with a treat the dog really values, make the trip a positive one. Give him treats outside, while walking in, and while waiting for the vet. (Do whatever you can to distract him and keep his attention on you rather then his surroundings)

He's likely had a bad experience in the past at a vet hospital. When he begins to become uneasy, be sure to remain calm (hopefully the vet and tech are calm, as well). Good luck!

sorry computer being weird again! just look at the one above!

 

[Angelo84]

It is a long term gradual process you can't just do it once or twice.

 

[Bill59]

that is just it though, we have tried all of that! does any one know a good Veterinary behaviorists in the rochester/minnesota area?

As mentioned above, your veterinarian should be able to set up a referral. Also see the link someone posted.