Dog advice

[Maid22]

I cut the dew claws myself. It's a pain when they have them. 3 I've had with them now. I started going to a cheap groomer who used o work in a vet becuse one of mine would go nuts if I tried but then she got used to it and I did it myself. Was years back she was great and £6 a time then. Will be a lot more now. I put money aside now for the one I have.

I'm abit squeamish when it comes to claws, and his dew claw is black so couldn't see the blood vein.
Was annoyed because he didn't have an injection to numb it, they literally just pulled it out. No wonder he cried, another bad vet experience for him.
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And how are vets supposed to stay open, pay for their training and expensive equipment without charging for their time? Cost of living has hit everyone! My practice’s electric bill was £2500 last month alone.

Come on, vets are doing well, we changed vets recently, couldn't get over how many staff there was, and the first thing I get asked is, is your dog insured, so they can make more money and the insurance pays for it.
How much does your practice charge for pulling out a dew claw?

 

[Maid22]

Yeah that's the thing with black nails. One of mine had black ones and I cut the quick by accident a few times. My first two dogs didn't have any but my second two did front and back! The boy I have now just has front dew claws. My vet is soooo expensive it's like £50 just for the consultation let alone anything else but I've been going since I was a teenager so stick with them as I do trust them.

£50 is soo expensive though! You're in the same area as me, I used to use the same vets for many years, what did it for me was my I had to put my boy pts, he loved riding in our truck, so I spoke to vet to have him pts in truck, she quibbled about it, but agreed, I'm in the back of truck holding him, she says better off in surgery, I'm like no ( he was really docile, lovely little dog) so she injects him, I'm holding him, reassuring him, crying, she's checking his mouth, then says, oh his teeth are quite worn down, probably cos of stones, I didn't pick up on that for a while, upset over losing my boy, but what the actual fuck, what a thing to say, and she'd been his vet for years, I ended up being so angry with them, I did complain to them, but they weren't interested, so moved my other dog to another practice, not keen on this one either.

 

[G_man]

I agree, I do not think he has any respect for me at all. He's not my dog and I do not believe in hitting animals so I tell him off in a stern voice and say NO. His owner who I doubt will be able to have him back says to hit him so does my dad who is the partner of the owner and so I leave things to him. He never used to but he's also started doing this to strangers when they go for a meal and sit outside a pub, people walk past and he starts. People just laugh because he's small but it's not on imo and after being properly bitten on the hand by him it effing hurts. Dad has suggested that when he goes for me I pop him in his crate and shut the door BUT he loves that crate. It's done out like a little den with loads of fur throws and I don't think he would see it as punishment as he loves going in there.

Yes you dont need to hit him and dont crate him either as thats his safe place and he will soon resent it.

Firstly, I would remove access to absolutely everything apart from water, toys etc all get put away, dont let him access the couch etc, things like that have to be earned, make him work for things. If he does it again, grab him by the collar, firm no and remove him from the rest of the house, not saying lock him in a container but just pick him up and move him to the opposite side of the house. Clip him on a lead and show him that YOU are in charge and that what hes doing is unacceptable. Next time your expecting visitors, clip him on a lead and control him that way. I dont use treats for rewards as its a form of blackmail, use plenty praise instead.

 

[Pesky Tarian]

Youd need to find out the risks of leaving him as is.

I think undescended testicles left can increase the risk of cancer. So Id want to know what % increase. If its low then you need to weigh it up.

Also I hope youre ok. That sounds such a stressful experience. Your poor boy and you!

Thank you .

I found an article that says 10%. I am back Monday with the vet so will ask the question.

Poor lad (and poor you) Have they said why his heart rate crashed or was it just the length of time of surgery? Our vets around here are really variable in which ones are great with surgery and which aren't (according to local dog walkers, would it be worth having a chat with another surgery to see whether they could give you more reassurances?

Thanks for replying .

No they didn't say, only that it went down to 30. He is only slight 6kg, they did say they would probably refer him to a specialist. I'm just not sure I can put him through it again.

 

[ChiRie]

Wouldn’t waste your time spending £70 an hour on something what can be easilly stopped honestly, hes biting your ankles because to be put quite simply, he has no respect for you. When he does this, what do you do?

I agree, I do not think he has any respect for me at all. He's not my dog and I do not believe in hitting animals so I tell him off in a stern voice and say NO. His owner who I doubt will be able to have him back says to hit him so does my dad who is the partner of the owner and so I leave things to him. He never used to but he's also started doing this to strangers when they go for a meal and sit outside a pub, people walk past and he starts. People just laugh because he's small but it's not on imo and after being properly bitten on the hand by him it effing hurts. Dad has suggested that when he goes for me I pop him in his crate and shut the door BUT he loves that crate. It's done out like a little den with loads of fur throws and I don't think he would see it as punishment as he loves going in there.

 

[Former_Antelopee]

I'm abit squeamish when it comes to claws, and his dew claw is black so couldn't see the blood vein.
Was annoyed because he didn't have an injection to numb it, they literally just pulled it out. No wonder he cried, another bad vet experience for him.
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Come on, vets are doing well, we changed vets recently, couldn't get over how many staff there was, and the first thing I get asked is, is your dog insured, so they can make more money and the insurance pays for it.
How much does your practice charge for pulling out a dew claw?

Insurance usually just means they are able to do a higher standard of testing etc or referral. Obviously will offer this anyway but without insurance a lot of owners won’t be able to afford the gold standard of care so vets will likely go for the testing that they think is most likely to find the issue. Whereas if insured it’s more likely owners can afford more and therefore do it all at once instead of staggering from most likely to find the issue to least likely…

 

[aidil]

What kind of behaviours are you hoping to sort out? Is it basic obedience training or is your dog displaying antisocial behaviours? If it’s the latter, I’d be recommending a behaviourist rather than a trainer. Trainers have started springing up everywhere since the puppy boom in lockdown and a lot of them don’t have any official accreditation. The best place to look for a certified behaviourist is the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors to ensure you’re getting a professional - https://www.apbc.org.uk/

As the above poster says, there is no quick fix for behaviour issues and it’s important for you to play the biggest role in ironing it out. This will also be a bonding activity with your dog and allow them to trust you more. I wouldn’t be keen on anyone taking my dog for the day without me being there to learn, I’d be looking for somewhere that tries to involve you in the whole process.

Dogs Trust actually run a shedload of behaviour classes now from basic training through to problem behaviours. It may be worth checking that out if you have a local centre! They often offer discounted rates if money is an issue too (not means tested either!)

 

[allthingschocolate]

I know this thread is dead but I'm desperate. Had to have my beautiful girl PTS two days ago and I am struggling to cope. I don't believe in rainbow bridge or an afterlife. She's physically gone and my arms ache for her. I just had to share with people who might understand.

So sorry to hear this , I have been there, I lost my beautiful boy 2 years ago and it absolutely broke me I am now considering getting another dog but the thought of having to go through this at the end is really putting me off. All I can say is time is a great healer and I very much felt like you, my boy was my world and nothing will ever replace them, as was said to me, try to focus on the good memories I’m sure you gave her a brilliant life. I actually had some of my dogs ashes made into a beautiful necklace and it helps in some way that I always have a bit of him with me and still to this day I sleep with his teddy which might seem daft to some but it’s a comfort to me, sending you hugs

 

[ChiRie]

I don't know why I felt like this at the start, he was actually the first dog Ive chosen, my others have chosen me or my oh has picked them. I'm not anxious or anything around him, he really is a good boy, so this has come out of the blue, he's only 4 and a half, he grew up with my other dogs, when I lost my boy who was his best friend, we tried with another pup, but he was nasty with pup so we had to re-home which broke my heart, I really want another dog, but it feels like he's ruling me, if that makes sense?

I feel that ay about the boy I am looking after. It's like he thinks he's the boss of me.
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Oh gosh that must be upsetting for you, my dog loves my oh to bits, I really want another dog, have always had 2, but we tried it last year, he hated puppy so we had to re-home, which broke my heart.

I've always had two at a time too. I decided after my last girl went no more for me. I look after this little dog a lot and that's enough for me. I'm older but live at home and all pets seem to gravitate towards my dad. Cat's, dogs.

 

[Maid22]

Is anyone having problems with ticks? Last year was bad, but this year has been awful, my boy has a tick collar and I spray him numerous times a day with a tick repellent, but I've just had to tweezer one of those buggers off his eyelid! Any recommendations?

 

[ChiRie]

Not yet but my next dog is definitely going to be a Chi! I fell in love with them as soon as I started vet nursing, they’re such characters!

Oh yes they certainly are. Had them since I was 17 and I'm 45 now. I saw this big guy with in a market in town when I was a kid and fell in love. I've had long and short coat. Loved them al to bits.

 

[Alfie1234]

Thanks. His behaviour towards me is terrible. He does go for my dad too if we need to do anything like nail cutting. I'm currently shaking like a leaf after the ordeal of trying to bath him. Not because I was scared but I have neuropathy and it set off my legs and hands shaking trying to control him. I used my dog bite gloves to get him into the bath, washing him he was growling and turning to bite me. I managed to get that done. Got him out with the gloves and tried trying him and he went mental. Totally uncontrollable. I tried to calmly get him to sit so he could calm down a bit before I carried on. He totally refused and he knows sit. Managed to dry him off as best I could. Getting his collar back on was a nightmare and he bit me several times on my fingers and hands. The gloves are too thick to allow me to clip it closed so I took one off after I got it round his neck. Thankfully it's on so he can have his walk later.

It's so frustrating it's such an ordeal to do something that would have been over very quickly if he hadn't gone crazy. His owner said he loved baths but now he goes nuts. I noticed it's since he turned 2 his attitude changed. I ended up shouting for him to stop biting and I feel awful. He's probably scared I don't know? He's never been hit or anything. Btw I've only bathed him once before and he was the same. I bathed him today because he was covered in mud after his walk as it's been tipping down and he's so low to the ground it's all on his legs and belly.

I'll take him into the vet next week. I want him neutered too. For health reasons and hopefully it may potentially calm him down.

Think the vet is a great starting point as well, you never know when something may be a pain response or not and the vet can rule that out for you.

 

[ChiRie]

Not advice, more of a moan about vet fees, bloody dew claws, my boy had to go vets last year because he caught it, vet didn't charge, but we brought some metcam, always handy to have, he had to go back again this week with same problem, blimey cost over £80, and she was rough with him, he properly yelped when she took it out .
Blimey vet fees are soo expensive.

I cut the dew claws myself. It's a pain when they have them. 3 I've had with them now. I started going to a cheap groomer who used o work in a vet becuse one of mine would go nuts if I tried but then she got used to it and I did it myself. Was years back she was great and £6 a time then. Will be a lot more now. I put money aside now for the one I have.

 

[ChiRie]

Insurance usually just means they are able to do a higher standard of testing etc or referral. Obviously will offer this anyway but without insurance a lot of owners won’t be able to afford the gold standard of care so vets will likely go for the testing that they think is most likely to find the issue. Whereas if insured it’s more likely owners can afford more and therefore do it all at once instead of staggering from most likely to find the issue to least likely…

I had it until I found out who I was with refused s many genuine claims for stupid reasons. Say they had stomach cancer and had perviously been the vet for a tummy bug in their life. That exclueds the whole stomach in future. I put money aside now.
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Have to disagree with you on this one, the insurance is just a ploy for vets to make more money.
I've had awful experiences with pet insurance over the years, read the small print, they really don't like paying out, and the exemptions, id rather get a credit card to pay for vet bills, nice to know I won't get the gold standard of care, cos of no insurance. I've had dogs all my life, yep am an oldie, my boy had to have an op couple years ago, his testicles never dropped, worried about cancer etc, booked him in, had to pay over £500 before I could see him,
his stitches were awful, I was so worried about him, their attitude, he's a collie, so obviously a farm dog, they shaved his belly soo much, cos he was dirty, he wasn't, they just presumed because of his breed.

Yep agree
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Have to disagree with you on this one, the insurance is just a ploy for vets to make more money.
I've had awful experiences with pet insurance over the years, read the small print, they really don't like paying out, and the exemptions, id rather get a credit card to pay for vet bills, nice to know I won't get the gold standard of care, cos of no insurance. I've had dogs all my life, yep am an oldie, my boy had to have an op couple years ago, his testicles never dropped, worried about cancer etc, booked him in, had to pay over £500 before I could see him,
his stitches were awful, I was so worried about him, their attitude, he's a collie, so obviously a farm dog, they shaved his belly soo much, cos he was dirty, he wasn't, they just presumed because of his breed.

OMG one of my boys becam seriously ill, rushed him to the emergncy vet with it being a Sunday but when I came to get him to transfer him to my own vet they refused to let me see him until I paid in full. I was so upset. I had they money but how fucking heartless.
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Maybe I've been going to the wrong vets with all my animals, one girl (collie) ended up with pancreatitis, she was so poorly one night, rung vets, took her late at night, his first thing he said, oh look she's wee'd on the floor, she was very timid, and he didn't have a nurse with him, so he had to mop up floor, that's another example of poor vet care, I have a list tbh, most of them are only interested in the money.

I'll give another, I discovered (won't say how) nobody is on the prmesis at night for the sick pets there staying over. I find that terrible, they just as well be with me and go back in the morning. Why pay for overnight hospitalisation? Also my vet charges a cage fee on top for when they go in for dentaland stuff and are crated. I give them the flippin papers all the time for the cages plus nw they don't give them a meal after either.

 

[Maid22]

I have a dog 5 days after giving birth first pregnancy she had one pup. She also had difficulty getting pregnant. She isn't a great mom leaves a lot of it to me. Won't mother the pup unless she is laying on me. Even when pup is asleep very heavy panting. When away from pup no panting at all

How's the mum and pup doing, did you go to the vets?

 

[ChiRie]

omg he’s sooooo cute! 🥹 I do love my Chihuahuas, they’re sassy little demons but they have a special place in my heart He’s so handsome! Glad his bloods all came back normal and the vet checked him Keep us updated!

Have you got Chi's too? I've had 4 before Barney

 

[markcorriganscrisps]

I get that, it's so nerve wracking. Maybe the vet could advise on whether it might be doable when he's a wee big bigger if he still has some growing to do? They need to give you a bit more detail on why it dropped I think as that'll no doubt help guide you. If you feel like you're not getting the answers, change vets. It's much like us changing GP surgeries really if we're not keen on things.

 

[Maid22]

Must be lucky then. I couldn't believe my vets dog had so many on her. He posted it up and counted every one. Over 200. Crazy. I suppose you'll just have to keep getting the buggers out. Good job you can do it properly without leaving the head in and your dog lets you. Like I said Barney would flip, there would be no way in hell.

Blimey, over 200! Yes you need to get all of it out, it's a bugger when they don't come out in one go, my boy isn't keen on anything to do with his body, he hates being brushed, he gets mats so I need to sort that, he's an awkward bugger, you'd laugh if you could see me in an awkward position on the kitchen floor trying to cut them out!

 

[Maid22]

I know this is difficult and easy for me to say, but please think about his quality of life over those extra months. He will probably be ill from chemo and not eat, lose weight etc etc. And 20k is a hell of a lot of money for a few extra months of life. Personally I don't think I would do it.

I agree, as much as we love them, you really have to look at the bigger picture, my last boy was going off his back legs, vet mentioned him using a cart(think that's what it called) I couldn't do that to him, his quality of life would have been awful, and I'd be selfish for keeping him like that, when we made the decision pts, that little bugger broke my heart .

 

[Maid22]

Insurance usually just means they are able to do a higher standard of testing etc or referral. Obviously will offer this anyway but without insurance a lot of owners won’t be able to afford the gold standard of care so vets will likely go for the testing that they think is most likely to find the issue. Whereas if insured it’s more likely owners can afford more and therefore do it all at once instead of staggering from most likely to find the issue to least likely…

Have to disagree with you on this one, the insurance is just a ploy for vets to make more money.
I've had awful experiences with pet insurance over the years, read the small print, they really don't like paying out, and the exemptions, id rather get a credit card to pay for vet bills, nice to know I won't get the gold standard of care, cos of no insurance. I've had dogs all my life, yep am an oldie, my boy had to have an op couple years ago, his testicles never dropped, worried about cancer etc, booked him in, had to pay over £500 before I could see him,
his stitches were awful, I was so worried about him, their attitude, he's a collie, so obviously a farm dog, they shaved his belly soo much, cos he was dirty, he wasn't, they just presumed because of his breed.