11 year old Jack Russell w/anemia, dental problems-and he hates the vet

[mata]

I'm at a loss. I recently brought our 11 year old Jack Russell in to the vet because he was limping. He doesn't let anyone touch his paws, teeth, etc.-it's just the way he's always been no matter how we tried to make it otherwise. So when he was limping for a couple of days and he wouldn't let us examine his paw I knew I had to bite the bullet and take him to the vet. Now, at the vet he is a biter. He can't be muzzled, or restrained by wrapping him. It's awful! He had to be sedated (not my first choice, obviously) and the vet checked him over, took xrays, etc. He also suggested blood work while he was out, since we hadn't been able to do that for a couple of years. I left him for a few hours and called the vet to get an update on his condition-fortunately his paw isn't broken-it's just a wound, possibly from an insect, and we get medications for that. Then the vet also tells me he's anemic and that his teeth are in bad shape. Prescribes iron and antibiotics, and says he's unable to address the teeth that day, but would like to discuss it in two weeks after a course of antibiotics, at which time he'll also run another blood test to check if there's been any change with the anemia. Vet office was a zoo-it was closing time on Friday and packed-I wasn't able to get all my questions answered and frankly just wanted to get my baby home where he could recover comfortably from his ordeal so I didn't prolong things.

When I got home I googled anemia in dogs and was alarmed to see it's more serious than in humans. But he has none of the symptoms (lethargy, off his food, no blood in stool or urine, etc.) I don't know to what degree he was anemic-that's on my list of questions, but this guy acts like a puppy and lives for his food. And as for the teeth-again, I intend to ask for specifics, but I had taken him to a holistic vet (who only does chiropractic, acupuncture, etc.) a couple of months ago and she said his teeth looked fine. Granted, she didn't really get in there and check things out because those teeth were snapping at her, but I trust her opinion. I guess I don't feel very trusting of the vet that handled his paw-I can't help but suspect he's padding charges and perhaps my boy doesn't need to go through all that? I'll be honest and say I'm embarrassed to take the dog elsewhere because of his behavior-the only other vet I would consider going to has children at the same school as I do and I'd be mortified if she got bitten.

I have two weeks to decide what to do, and I'm hoping I'll have more clarity by then. I want to do what's best for him, but going to the vet is so upsetting to him (and I give him rescue remedy before hand, too) that I have to consider that, and I certainly don't want to put him through something traumatic that he doesn't need to go through. I'm thinking about getting a second opinion-but that will put him through twice as much stress if it ends up being true.

Not sure what I'm looking for here-but I'm fretting over him, of course, and I feel guilty that I've failed him by not effectively dealing with this vet/handling phobia. I've learned the hard lesson that it's one thing when your young dog doesn't like the vet, but they will eventually age and need the vet.

[Neuromancer]

Well, I can certainly understand. I posted earlier in this forum because I had to take my cat to the vet for a urinary tract blockage. He does not like the vet when he just needs shots, and this time we had to leave him overnight -- actually for 26 hours. He yowled and hissed and tried to strike people walking past him. He was a terror. And it took him 6-8 hours to calm down once he was home. I felt terrible about his distress, and wondered if I could have done something to "make him" a calm and happy cat around strangers. So I know how you feel. I'm a little worried that he's not completely recovered, but I can't bear to take him back to the vet unless he seems bad off again (I'm keeping a close eye on him, though, since I know this can be fatal in male cats).

Anyway, on the phone this afternoon my dad said to me, "When you have to take them to the doctor because they're in pain or injured, it's for their own good, even if they don't recognize that or agree." That made me feel a little better. It's not like I want him to be upset. And he did forgive me, so he can again. Of course, you have to determine whether the treatment is really necessary for your dog, weighing the risk to his health against his stress about the vet, and that can be tough.

I'm sorry this is so stressful for you. I can relate.

[Noelle C.]

You haven't failed. Keep in mind a lot of humans hate going to the doctor to. Shots, probes, etc., aren't fun, even when we know the reason. Your little guy doesn't know that the sticks and pokes will make him feel better.

[ReadingMama]

We have a 12-14 yo Jack Russell who would definitely bite the vet without the soft muzzle he puts on him before every exam. (We found Mac two years ago running loose in a neighborhood with no tags or chip. He was in poor condition, lots of arthritis pain, skin problems, etc. He's lived with my mom across the street from us for the past year. He likes a quieter household than ours.)

Surely a vet and vet tech together can get a soft muzzle on a Jack! IMO, it's much more difficult and time consuming to deal with a stressed out, snappy dog than it is to use a muzzle and do a quick exam/shot, etc. Plus, letting problems go leads to more health problems which require *more* stressful vet visits.

I know in our case, our vet doesn't want to anesthetize Mac to do anything with his teeth because he's so old. He thinks the anesthesia is more of a risk than gum disease. I'd be wondering why your dog has anemia. Did the vet have any theories? And what's the treatment--a transfusion?

[mata]

Originally Posted by ReadingMama

Surely a vet and vet tech together can get a soft muzzle on a Jack! IMO, it's much more difficult and time consuming to deal with a stressed out, snappy dog than it is to use a muzzle and do a quick exam/shot, etc. Plus, letting problems go leads to more health problems which require *more* stressful vet visits.

yes, well-every dog is different and ours simply can't be muzzled. He can flick off a basket or wrap muzzle quicker than I can blink. And being restrained in any manner is what makes him stressed out and snappy. The only way we can get anything done on him (shots, quick exam, etc.) is if he's loose on the floor with his head and front paws in my lap, and if I engage him. But that's limited to seconds, usually.

I know in our case, our vet doesn't want to anesthetize Mac to do anything with his teeth because he's so old. He thinks the anesthesia is more of a risk than gum disease. I'd be wondering why your dog has anemia. Did the vet have any theories? And what's the treatment--a transfusion?

As I said in my OP, I don't have specifics about the anemia-the vet put him on iron supplements and will run another blood test in two weeks, I'll go over my list of questions with him then.


Thanks for the support Neuromancer and Noelle C.-and Neuromancer, I hope kitty is doing better? I feel somewhat less stressed-he's got a good appetite and is running around as usual-happy as can be. I'm just not looking forward to taking him back. I really wish I could find a different vet that I trusted more-perhaps I'll call the one and give her a fair warning-see what she says.

[ReadingMama]

I'm sorry if something I posted offended you. I didn't know that your dog can get out of a muzzle. My comment about the muzzle was directed more toward a vet who it sounded like, was unable to muzzle a smallish dog.

[Asiago]

If possible ask for a copy of the test results, you are likely going to look at Hematocrit and Hemoglobin. There are so many reasons a dog can be anemic (hypothyroidism, auto-immune disease, parasites, tick-borne illness, eating onions/garlic, GI bleed, the list goes on).
If your vet sent him home, likely it is not a severe anemia. Hopefully upon retesting results will show improvement

I don't know what to say about his teeth. Some vets just look at the canines, the long front teeth, and assess. That's not really adequate. Looking in the back at the molars and premolars will show a lot more. If your boy gets upset though, then it's not easy to check his mouth. Depending upon anesthesia and pre-op blood work results many older dogs very well with dentals. Iso and Sevoflourane are usually tolerated well. It all depends upon the individual though, and his health condition weighed against any risks of anesthesia and surgery (such as extractions and sutures).

I'm sorry he is so afraid while at the vet's. Maybe tiring him out before hand with a lot of play and excercise will help reduce his energy and anxiety. We used to do that with horses that were not good van travelers, and it really did help.

[mata]

Thanks for that, ReadingMama-I am just upset and sensitive.

Asiago-thank you-what you said is helpful. This morning I had the vets' office fax his records over to the new office (I decided to switch-regardless of what his condition is I need to have him treated by a vet I am comfortable with. I'm sure I made a fool out of myself telling them he's a biter over and over, but worst case scenario at least they can give me something to sedate him at home if need be.) And yes, I had figured what with the vet sending him home the anemia wasn't an emergency. But our dog did have a tick a month ago (while on Frontline, no less,) so I'm bracing myself. I know the anemia could be caused by so many things, though. I do feel better having switched vets, at least.

[Asiago]

I'm glad you are feeling better Mata. My dogs are my babies too. It's so important to work with a veterinarian that you trust and feel comfortable with, otherwise you would always be second guessing his diagnosis and treatments. So changing makes sense to me.

I have a vet that I do trust and it makes all of the difference in the world. He listens to me and respects my thoughts and the research I do about all aspects of my dogs health care. I respect his thoughts, experience and education and we work together to keep my dogs healthy in a way that I am comfortable with.

Good luck and please keep us posted. Hopefully the anemia will resolve and all will be well. He sounds as if he is healthy, he's energetic, good appetite and feeling well. I hope his paw is healed soon.

Keep us posted.

[Neuromancer]

Originally Posted by mata

As I said in my OP, I don't have specifics about the anemia-the vet put him on iron supplements and will run another blood test in two weeks, I'll go over my list of questions with him then.


Thanks for the support Neuromancer and Noelle C.-and Neuromancer, I hope kitty is doing better? I feel somewhat less stressed-he's got a good appetite and is running around as usual-happy as can be. I'm just not looking forward to taking him back. I really wish I could find a different vet that I trusted more-perhaps I'll call the one and give her a fair warning-see what she says.

Thanks for asking. He's doing mostly better and seems to be in good spirits. He is definitely using his litterbox and eating more.

Keep us posted.

[mata]

Today was his visit with the new vet, and I'm so happy I bit the bullet and made the change. I was so worried all weekend! At first the technician came in and quickly determined doggie wasn't about to allow a blood sample to be taken from his jugular, so the technician went off to consult with the vet. A little while later the vet came in and I loved how she sat down on the floor and let my dog take his time sniffing her and getting comfortable (although he was not!) We tried wrapping him with a towel, which didn't work, so she decided to give him a reversible sedative (this option wasn't offered at the other vet's office) so they could do bloodwork. And it turns out he's mildly anemic-she showed me his chart and he was just barely out of the normal range. Tick titer will be done too, and in a couple of days we'll have results. She gave me ace to have at home when I need to bring him in for the dental work. I feel relieved.

And I just have to say in all of this my love for him has deepened so much-I just want him to be happy and feel loved in the winter season of his life. He has made me smile every time I see him for 11 years and I can only hope we've done the same for him and will continue to do so for a long time!

[Neuromancer]

I'm glad it went so well -- and especially that you feel relieved! Thanks for updating. I've been thinking about you and your dog.