Vet takes away dog

[gcv-border]

When I go to the vet's office (and this has happened at 3 different vet practices), if they want to take a blood sample or urine sample or whatever ...., they escort the dog out of the examining room while I wait for them to bring the dog back. I HATE this, but have theorized that they do it because 1) they keep their supplies in "the back" or 2) they think the owner will be squeamish and not be able to deal with the procedure or 3)the owner will try to protect their dog or .... another reason???

 

When Torque was a puppy (almost 7 years ago), I probably pissed my vet off because I insisted that any sample had to be taken in my presence. I saw the technician roll her eyes, and they had to bring the syringes, tubes, etc. into the examining room from wherever they keep them, to take a blood sample for a TBD test. I would not let them take him out of the room because I wanted him to always think the vet was a great place. When he was a puppy, he got fed LOTS of treats during his vet visits, and he now thinks the vet office is just another fun place he gets to go.

 

So my questions are:

Is taking the dog away for a sample common practice - and specifically why (maybe more than one reason?)

 

Do you agree with or disagree with this practice? And how do you handle it?

 

Since I now have my new puppy, I am thinking that I will insist that the dog stay in the room with me since I believe that the heavy reinforcement I used before has resulted in a very happy dog, even in a vet's office. Or am I just being too over-protective?

[Tess's Girl]

I've been thinking about the same thing lately. I love my vet but they always take Tess back for everything, even a bandage change. I've been seriously considering asking them to exam her in front of me so I can reinforce her, and so I can see what's going on. Not that I don't trust my vet, but I like to see what's happening. But I do trust them so I also don't want to aggravate them every time we come in. Tess does fine at the vet, but she could do better, so I'm on the fence about that one as well.

[Liz P]

I do it primarily because the dogs feed off their owners. They generally do a lot better in the treatment area away from "mom" and "dad."

 

Sometimes I need more space to do the exam (ortho cases), better lighting, to not have the owner hovering over the pet and getting in the way and yes, to be able to work faster (no questions being asked) and sometimes because all my supplies are right there.

 

A lot of times it really is better for the pet to go to the treatment area. If it's not, I keep the pet with the owner.

[kingfisher7151]

I don't have any explanations, but I completely share the sentiment. I was furious a few weeks ago when I had to take my cat into the vet. He ruptured an anal gland out of the blue, and was in horrible pain. They did the exam and said they'd take him in back for an hour to put him under anaesthesia and drain it. But when I picked him up, they said that he nearly flipped off the table after having been in so much pain when they tried to express the other anal gland. Why did they try that when he was awake?! I am going to be far more insistent in the future about all exams being done in the room. I'm obviously not a vet and I respect them greatly, but I'd really prefer to see what's being done with my animals.

[G. Festerling]

My best friends are vets, I have been around plenty of it in my career. I totally agree with Liz.

 

Now having said that, when I have a special dog, I may or may not ask to stay with them. But because I don't just use any vet and spend a fair amount of time building a relationship with them, they also know my abilities. Which, just the other day, I told them, I would not hold the dog I brought in as it was a stray Pit and I did not want to endanger their techs. I had no idea what the dog may or may not do during the vaccinations.

[sjones]

I don't think I've encountered this. When its routine stuff like shots, I'm the one who holds my dog while the vet or vet tec. does what they need to do. I know how to handle my dogs and everyone at the vet clinic knows this. I'm sure there are plenty of people out there who can barely contain their dogs at home let alone at the vets, so thats probably why many vets prefer to not let the owners help.

[Kian's Mom]

I agree with sjones.

Almost anything that is done at my vets I'm there with my dog. But I have had this same vet for 30 years.

He knows many moons ago I used to be a Vet Asst.

Only when I had my cocker there for spay and my rot they were running a bunch of test on did I ever leave my dog there.

When I had my Shepard neutered I took him in and even went back an assisted with it then took him home instead of leaving him there to recover. But he is so big the my vet felt he wood do better at home as their biggest crate would not really be big enough for him.

I have also been at friends houses when he has made farm calls and have assisted him. So his feeling is that I know my animals and how best to control them. He can tell me what he need and I follow through.

[Maralynn]

While I definitely understand that it's often easier to just take a dog to the back for some routine stuff, I really appreciate vets who understand that I'm an above average dog owner with above average training and handling skills and accommodate accordingly when possible. I think it's standard practice to take dogs out of the room at my regular vet but I asked a couple times if I could hold them in room instead. It worked just fine and they must have made a note of my wishes as ever since then they assume that I want to be present for the basic stuff. At the vet where I ended up taking Kipp for his cancer stuff it seems to be regular practice to do basic blood draws at least in the exam room.

[Gloria Atwater]

When I go to the vet's office (and this has happened at 3 different vet practices), if they want to take a blood sample or urine sample or whatever ...., they escort the dog out of the examining room while I wait for them to bring the dog back. I HATE this, but have theorized that they do it because 1) they keep their supplies in "the back" or 2) they think the owner will be squeamish and not be able to deal with the procedure or 3)the owner will try to protect their dog or .... another reason???

 

When Torque was a puppy (almost 7 years ago), I probably pissed my vet off because I insisted that any sample had to be taken in my presence. I saw the technician roll her eyes, and they had to bring the syringes, tubes, etc. into the examining room from wherever they keep them, to take a blood sample for a TBD test. I would not let them take him out of the room because I wanted him to always think the vet was a great place. When he was a puppy, he got fed LOTS of treats during his vet visits, and he now thinks the vet office is just another fun place he gets to go.

 

So my questions are:

Is taking the dog away for a sample common practice - and specifically why (maybe more than one reason?)

 

Do you agree with or disagree with this practice? And how do you handle it?

 

Since I now have my new puppy, I am thinking that I will insist that the dog stay in the room with me since I believe that the heavy reinforcement I used before has resulted in a very happy dog, even in a vet's office. Or am I just being too over-protective?

 

 

I think the reason is what Liz said: on the average, it's probably a lot easier for a vet and their technicians to do a procedure without the owner hovering over and possibly getting in the way. I know that some people, however well-meaning, can actually feed their dog's anxiety with inordinate fussing or they may inadvertently interfere with the vet by distracting them and asking questions. People on these boards may be more savvy than most, but John Q Pet Owner is apt to be pretty clueless and over-reactive about some things - and yes, squeamish.

 

My own vet does things like vaccinations and drawing blood with me right there, but I've also been with the same vet hospital for about 15 years and they're used to my hands-on approach. They've allowed me in the back to help hold my dogs for various things over the years. plus there's stuff like the time I brought my dog in for them to check the three stitches I'd put in, when my dog cut herself open on a Saturday afternoon when the office was closed.

 

However, I think, like any doctor, it's often faster, simpler, less complicated and certainly more efficient without a pet owner hovering at their shoulder. It's not meant as any insult or slight to the pet owner, it's just simpler for a vet to have a blanket policy for most or all clients. My take, anyhow!

 

~ Gloria

 

[Sue R]

My vet(s) all do the same and it does not bother my dogs nor myself. Maybe that's because they enjoy the vets and the techs because we all make an effort to make each appointment as relaxed and enjoyable as possible, from multiple drop-in-for-a-cookie visits when pups (or sometimes any time we are passing by).

 

I also feel it's good for every dog to be able to walk off at the vet's or other treatment place, with the vet or tech without getting anxious because it's so foreign to them. Just like crate training for that just-in-case situation where they have to be crated, even if you don't use the crate regularly.

 

Sometimes, one or more of the dogs is as eager to go "in back" as they are to stay with me as they don't have a fear of going there - or at least not an overriding fear. And they are more eager to get back to me after the blood is drawn!

 

And I trust my dogs' caregivers. Everyone's mileage varies.

 

As for that cat, even with good precautions, animals react differently and things happen.

[Shetlander]

It is about 50/50 whether they take my dogs "in the back" for blood draws or other procedures. I am fine either way and confident my dogs are being treated well. I have only been with this practice for 8 years but it has been an eventful 8 years. I feel incredibly fortunate to have this vet and his staff looking after my dogs' health. But even at other vets, I was ok when they took my dogs back.

[G. Festerling]

I have to admit, this question does make me a bit sad though. As I said, my best friends are vets. I see how hard they work. Not just with the animals. But also with trying to hire good help. With trying to offer product like flea meds at reasonable prices (it appears that they actually have to pay more for the some of the flea meds than it can be bought for at certain retailers). It makes me sad to hear so much mistrust. Not here as much as many other conversations. Sure, there are some dogs that are special. And for this purpose I use special in a not so good context. I agree with Sue. A well adjusted dog should have no issues. I work hard on it as do others and am proud of my guys for it. Although,yes, as I said, I do have special dogs myself.

And yes, I have stepped in when a new techs restraining method freaked out one of mine before. It is done nicely.

But between a mindset of people that they know everything better in today's age, vets being often more corporate than ever before, a climate of being in danger of being sued for everything and a few vets very, very poor and sad choices...I suppose it is the way life goes.

Which btw...I just attended a friend's graduation. The speaker threw out that these vet students put in an estimated 17000 hours for those three little letters.

I also have to admit, I am a cynic, I have had encounters with vets that made me wonder.

[Tea]

I am cool with the Vet taking a dog away. However I must share this - I had Taw AI'd to Dewi Tweed last year and the tec said...ok we need to take her off to draw blood to test. I told her, 'be better if I held her.'

Tec said, 'its ok..we do it all the time'

I said, 'ok,,'

Taw quietly is led off.

 

seconds tick by...minutes...look up, Vet came out...'you need to hold her'

 

Taw was perfect for the tecs if I held her. It is pretty weird, drawing blood from jugular. But Taw would not allow anyone else to hold her.

[RoseAmy]

I could see where it can be easier to not have to deal with an owner being present. But dealing with owners comes with the territory.

 

There is no way I would use a vet that did not allow me to stay with my pet. Nor to see the "behind scenes" of their office. At my vets I have been welcomed in every area. I have seen first hand how the vets and techs act and interact with the animals and each other. Also that the "back" areas are just as clean as the front areas.

 

Even dogs coming in for surgery..owners stay with their pets until they get "drowsy". With my fear aggressive dog I even carried her to the OR myself and stayed with her until she was totally "out".

 

All dogs but especially puppies are give treats and played with.

[waffles]

I don't think it's really about mistrust. If I had to bring my dog to a groomer, kennel, or daycare I would ask for a tour and not just the front area customers see. I would want to see where my dog would be. I don't see why a vet would be any different. I don't mind them taking my cats away for things like blood draws but for my dog I ask to stay with him. It's never been a problem plus they do routine vaccines an such in room anyways. If I was a problem I would excuse myself and I think working with the same vet for years sure helps build a relationship where they know me and I know them.

 

It isn't that I mistrust them, I wouldn't go there if I didn't trust them!

[Smalahundur]

You would be suprised how many 'average' dog owners are incapable of holding their dogs securely for even simple procedures.

I have full understanding for vets that don't care for someone in the room that does nothing but stand in the way.

They are often than not pretty busy.

[Tommy Coyote]

My vets take my dogs back. It's fine with me. They behave themselves better if I'm not there.

[jvw]

Here, if you are holding your pet while the vet does something and your pet bites you the vet is liable.

[RoseAmy]

At my vet's the tech restrains the dogs and the owner is directed to stand at the head of the table.

[G. Festerling]

And having been around vet clinics for decades I see the ignorance in people as well. They DEMAND because the can. Not because they have a clue. I work around animal people. They are fine. The wannabe pseudo folks....not so much.

 

And having said that....people like the vet that kept the dog alive in filthy conditions....they don't help the vets.

[bcnewe2]

If I have a relationship with the vet I'm ok with either method. Most of my vets have over time realized I am capable of restraining or helping with my dogs. Either of us make those decisions. Some dogs are better without my presence for them to lean on.

A new vet has to be given the chance to establish a relationship. So before going to a new vet, I have usually researched that vet way before we get there.

 

The vet I go to now has one exam room and does most stuff right there. He has always used me as his tech with my dogs. Even putting on an apron and helping with x-rays a few times that were after hours with no one else around to help.

But I would be just fine if he chose to ask me to stay somewhere else.

I think it's about trust, between you and your vet. Why would you have your dog somewhere that you didn't trust? (given this is not a new situation)

 

And I can also imagine the average dog owner to not always be helpful. My DH bless his heart, can't even hold a sheep still while I administer meds or whatever I need to do. He's afraid he might hurt the animal. And that anxiety can transfer over to the dog/animal so easy.

 

Just think about all the internet experts that are now running around out there telling vets (not to mention human MD's) what they dog has and how they want it treated. I'm sure it makes a whole new category of stress for the doctor(s).

[alligande]

My vet does not really have a back room, all minor procedures are carried out in the exam room. The dogs go back for xrays and surgery that is it. Having been very hands on with my pets care, giving fluids, enemas, temperature taking etc I like to know what is going on and prefer to be with my dogs. I feel vet care is like going to the doctor, you should understand what is happening and asking questions and expecting good answers is part of the service. It is not about lack of trust and or respect but wanting the knowledge to be a better carer for my dogs.

With Brody and Bandit I would always hold their heads for needles as they both would bite, even with a muzzle, my vet still had me do it as they seemed calmer with me at that end rather than a tech.

[Mom of Mya]

I have had it done both ways. For the shots or blood work they have done it in the room with me. I held her for the shots but the tech said she needed to hold for the blood work in case she jerked with the needle and i was fine with that, I was still there petting her to calm her.

 

However, when they had to drain the fluid off when she swell up after being fixed they did take her back to the back room and she was fine. Next time we went in for her flea medicine, she walked right in and even let the tech come around and pet her so it seems no harm was done being away from me.

 

I can see both ways, if I had been very anxious and nervous watching them stick the needle in to drain off that fluid Mya would have fed off of that and I can see that it might have actually taken longer. They did it very quickly in the back and she was back to me in no time. Also they said she expressed her anal glands when they put the needle in and left a nice stinky mess so that part I am definitely glad I missed LOL!!

[dogrsqr]

My old vet took most blood samples in the exam room. I think there were a few times in 20 years that they took my pet in the back when they had to get the sample from the neck. The few times that they needed a urine sample that I wasn't able to bring in for them they took the dog in the back.

 

My new vet is a friend of mine. They do minor blood draws i.e. heartworm tests in the exam room. For some of the other draws and other procedures they have taken the dog in the back. Sometimes I've been asked if I want to go along. I guess I haven't paid all that much attention since I'm a personal friend of the owner and their "back room" is pretty open to the lobby .... can't see everything, but can sure hear everything.

 

I do think they probably have a general procedure based on what most of the human clients can handle seeing.

[medic09]

"Taking the dog in back" is common practice that I've seen in several places over the decades, in several countries. Liz P explained it.

 

Pediatric healthcare is often compared to veterinary medicine. This is one of the similarities. In the ER we often have to size up parents and decide to let them stay and reassure their child, maybe hold them, while we work; or occasionally suggest they step out while we work.

 

Our vets have a big operation with a lot of staff. Most of them know us pretty well, so when I say "I'd like to come back with him" they're good with that. They know my wife and I both work in human healthcare and aren't squeamish. Over the years I've helped restrain my dogs for just about everything but x-rays. (And that too at the rural vet's the time my dog was apparently shot.) On the rare occasion when a newer tech or doc doesn't know us and says "we'd rather not", I let it go. I trust them, and as noted it is a good thing for my dogs to know they can trust them too.