Taking a photo to the vet

Caroline_a

Totally agree with the others, you cannot let this go on, or she could become seriously ill. The vet doesnt sound particularly interested to be honest, but sedation may be the only way - maybe with tablets?

I think we all know that you are trying to save her stress, but dogs can go downhill so very quickly sometimes that I would hate to think that I'd saved a bit of anxiety but had a gravely ill dog.

BJV

Change vets! Totally agree with the other posts sedation. I understand it is not nice and I am sure that it will be horrible for both you and her BUT !!! it is better that than something which will long term cause more pain and heart ache.

Gold_Dust_2

Pawsies, unfortunately, she really does need to be seen. As others have said, the vet needs to physically poke and prod etc.. They may suggest a different course of action because it is recurrent, or they may suggest a new test, but they need to see. Having said that, have you asked the receptionist to actually ask the vet about it? They must be able to accommodate somehow. Or have you considered trying another branch for a one off visit and asking your current branch to forward on the records if possible?

Well done on getting her to go past the door btw, that must take some patience!

lostinrates

I've been thinking more about this. Essentially I agree with the others that you need to get her to a vet, but I don't see why you cannot take some good photos before hand, go in, do as much as possible from the photos so that your dog has some chill time and some positive or neutral interaction time.

It might be the vet can work entirely from the photos, in which case your dog has had the experience of going in sitting there and not being handled, or being given a biscuit by the vet and that's it.

It might be the vet cannot, which means your dog gets the treatment she needs.

Tiddlywinks

pawsies wrote: »

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.

Whilst you're procrastinating, your dog is suffering - that is the bottom line.

I know you mean well BUT sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind - your dog needs medical attention NOW.

Don't let yet another day go by - would you like to live with that condition untreated? I wouldn't.

krlyr

I am going to go against the grain. I know of several animals (not just dogs) that have been issued treatment without physically attending the vets. Some of my own have - for example, an elderly rat with a nasty respiratory infection, her previous visit resulted in her going blue from lack of oxygen because of the stress of it all on top of her condition - my vet was happy to issue further medication after me just describing the issue to her when it reoccured, since she'd seen how the rat had reacted previously. I think in her case, another visit would have been the end of her (in a horribly stressful way) - she passed away a week or two later, but at least it was in some more comfort due to her medication.

I also have a friend with a large dog with anxiety issues, who's vet has happily issued medication for a recurrent problem (he has a habit of chewing his paw pads) without a visit, as she knows said dog gets very stressed and hates being handled by her. I believe her annual dental checks are done by my friend sending in detailed photographs of the dog's mouth too, as it would be impossible for the vet to examine the dog with a muzzle on, and to do so without a muzzle would likely end up in a bite. The dog has to have annual checks as a clause of its insurance, and sedating a dog annually when there is another way around it would put the dog under unnecessary trauma and risk.

However, in all the cases I know of, there is a good rapport between vet, owner and animal. I wouldn't expect a vet to go on my say so if I'd only ever visited them twice for example - however, having practically lived at my vets for many years when I was involved in some small scale animal rescue/rehoming (so plenty of sickly animals to take to the vet!), I built up a relationship as such with many of the vets there.

In the case of your dog, I would want to know why this issue was reoccuring. The Fuciderm isn't working, and I would want to know why. I would want more thorough examinations, for example, either of the area (I would expect this to be done with the dog fully sedated) or a full on MOT to rule out other symptoms - so temperature taken, possibly blood samples, etc. (again, could be done under sedation). It isn't a mild graze or a chewed pad, it's an undiagnosed/untreated condition which you need to get to the bottom of, and in this case I don't think photographs alone would be sufficient.

I know of someone with quite a reactive dog who has him sedated in her van in the vet car park, and returned before he wakes up - so as far as he's concerned, he's just had a little doze, when in reality he's had a thorough examination, a blood sample taken, whatever's necessary in that appointment, with minimal stress. Or my friend was told about a drug that can be given that has amnesic effect - she was told that if her dog ever needed emergency vet treatment, her vet would give him this drug that would effectively make him forget the stress, to minimise the longterm damage by putting him through the stress of the treatment. Other sedative medication can be given to make a visit less stressful too (though do be wary of ones like ACP - which can physically sedate a dog but leave them mentally aware and distressed).

If nothing else, I would use this opportunity to find a vet willing to work through your dog's anxieties - many vets understand dogs like her as they see them regularly. Dr Sophia Yin, for example, is a vet with lots of experience of dealing with reactive and fearful dogs. I'd perhaps join some dog forums, groups on Facebook, etc. as well as speaking to local dog trainers and behaviourists who may be able to recommend you a vet who will go beyond the normal level of service to make your dog's vet trip as stressless as possible, and then work with you in the future to manage her vet care.

dandelionclock30

pawsies wrote: »

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.

I think your putting a lot of your emotions here on the dog.

You need to stop messing about and take her to the vet. You dont want her to suffer or get past the point of no return because you have been messing about umming and arring.
Vets see stressed pets all the time and know how to deal with them. Your going to be more stressed if she ends up in a mess through your inaction.
Do the right thing and take her now and tell us how you got on.

GwylimT

If you had a gynecological problem would you send a friend to the doctor with a photo?

If you want this problem to be sorted you need to either take her to the vet, or have a home visit. I'm yet to meet any animal that is settled or happy at the vets, my dog hates the vets, but I'm not willing to put his health at risk because he might be a little stressed and unhappy for a few minutes.

If you're really that concerned about how you dog feels when she is at the vet you need to take her when she is well, so she isn't just associating the vet with pain and illness.

peachyprice

While I do think it's unreasonable for the vet to give an accurate diagnosis and treatment from photos alone, perhaps a combination of taking the dog AND the photos might work. The vet can see your snaps of her vulva so can have a good look at it without having to look at her, but at the same time can give her a good look over everywhere else, if swabs need to be taken he may be able to give you a kit to take home so that you can do it when she's relaxed.

The fact that it's a recurring problem and the current treatment isn't working really does mean that she needs further examination and tests.

RobotsinDisguse

Hi pawsies, I sympathise with your problem.

Is your dog a collie? (looking at your profile pic she might be) If so then as you know they are a law unto themselves. I'd ring a collie specialist for advice on attending the vets. I could recommend the one we've used (free phone advice). Feel free to pm me if youd like their details.

*im not the expert and am not advertising something you'd have to pay for.