Taking a photo to the vet

pawsies

My dog is very anxious in general and I am trying to gradually expose her to walking past the vet door without panicking and so she knows that actually not all bad things happen there.

Now she has a reoccuring red and itchy vulva which needs some form of treatment (vets keep giving her fuciderm for but that doesn't help!) so I thought this time rather than stressing her out and the vet not being able to access the area (she cowers and jumps when the vet goes near that area) I wanted to take a picture of this problem when she was fully relaxed with legs wide open

I got a good picture with good detail which is more than you would see if she was physically at the vets and rang them to ask if they would accept this instead?

The receptionist basically thought I was ridiculous and that she should be sedated when she goes in. Well that's going to help with her anxiety isn't it?! She compared it to taking a photo to a doctor instead of being there which tbh I don't see the problem with either if it alleviates some anxiety for the patient?

I've got her to a stage now where we can walk past the vets with no fear but opening the door is the next challenge.

Needless to say we won't be going there for her treatment and I will have to consider other options.

Has anyone successfully ever used a photo for their vet rather than physically taken their animal in? (I would pay for the consultation fee regardless)

Tiddlywinks

There is more to diagnosis though than just looking... there is touching, prodding, smelling (ugh but true), examining the surrounding area, checking temperature, eyes etc.

I wouldn't trust a vet that would make a diagnosis just based on a photo.

In the meantime, can't you call the vet out to your home instead?

pawsies

The area is very very sensitive already and she is reluctant to let me look at it. Prodding would be the worst thing a vet could do it would cause her pain and make her even more fearful.

She has been to the vets before for this at least twice so I think it wouldn't need that much of a diagnosis

BJV

Would your vet not do a home visit? I know it may be slightly unusual but it is worth a try?

Artytarty

Yes, but she has been at least twice and Still has the problem.
Any vet worth having will want to do a proper hands on examination and diagnosis.
I think you are coming at this all the wrong way. She needs expert treatment, perhaps a home visit is the way forward.

Tiddlywinks

pawsies wrote: »

The area is very very sensitive already and she is reluctant to let me look at it. Prodding would be the worst thing a vet could do it would cause her pain and make her even more fearful.

She has been to the vets before for this at least twice so I think it wouldn't need that much of a diagnosis

Sorry but I disagree.

Conditions worsen or they become infected or they mask other similar things... the list is endless.

Examinations can be painful - that is another unfortunate fact.

You are not helping your dog by keeping her from being examined. The receptionist has suggested sedation or I'd suggest a home visit.

However, I stand by my view that I would not trust a vet that was prepared to give a diagnosis based on a photo... particularly given that she has already had two treatment and it has still returned.

BJV

I agree a photo sounds all well and good but as other posts have already said any vet worth their salt will need to examine the whole animal.

Ps I would also try a different vet!

Stephb1986_2

Could you not take her to a different vets? She must be in pain the poor little thing.

lostinrates

I have used photo and video messages with my horse vets before. This was with an ongoing case pon a very old horse. My horse vets are about half an hour or so a way and we were essentially on a 'death watch' deciding when was right to put this girl down, and we were sending video of things like unusal breathing and pictures of things like abcesses.


I know that sounds gruesome, but she really wasn't the kind who wanted to be put down, she was, by that stage, living not with the others, but in out garden, and still eating like a...horse....and the vets were popping in twice a week and agreed that she was not 'ready' and that because I was not the sort of yard that had to put her down there was no need to ethically. If I worried about anything I sent a video or a photo as appropriate.

I also use photos for myself with some of my consultants.

dandelionclock30

I think you've got to grasp the nettle and take your dog to the vets or get them to come to you. If shes in a really bad way they can sedate her. Its not nice for a pet to have their intimate parts looked at when sore but if the pets ill, you and them just have to get on with it really.
I'd rather have my pet getting a bit stressed out for a few minutes than suffering from a poorly bottom.

pawsies

Home visits aren't an option as this is the only place she feels safe. I can't let her think that the 'scary vet' could come in at any time when she is already so insecure.