Question:
For all of you who have followed my posts, my nine week old westie pup, Tally, suffered a bout of gastric bug before antibiotics made her feel better. Today we took her for her injections and boy did she howl! She wriggled and yelped, and made it very difficult for the vet to help her. She eventually had the jab, and the vet gave us some worming paste. I wormed her when we got home, but with enoromous difficulty. Now she needs to finish ehr worming and I'm scared she will develop a fear of the vet, which may cause problems with future treatment. Also, Tally's bum is kept well cleaned with babywipes but recently all the dirt is sticking to her fur, making it matted and dirty. I've tried to clea it well, but she always struggles. The vet suggested cutting it with some scissors when she was calmer. Does anyone have any advice on how I can cure her vet problem, and what will stop her bum getting so mucky?
Thanks.
PS: My birthday 2day!

Answer:
I have no suggestions for the vet fear or the matting hair. But Happy Birthday!

Good luck with your problem.

Answer:
When you get to the vet what does he do? Does he calmly pet your dog, give it treats, let it sniff around first? Or is she thrown up on the table immediately and poked and proded (sp)? This can make an enormous difference in her reaction. If the vet is gentle and inviting she will become a little more comfortable with the surroundings and the stranger that is picking her up.
As for the matting hair, can you get her bum area shaved - I don't know if this can make her more prone to infection or not, but it might be more comfortable for the time being! Or try wiping the area when she's falling asleep, give her treats and tell her how good she is when she behaves. If she flips out, let her go and try again!!! If you can complete the cleaning in more then one stage, that's probably better for both of you!

Answer:
I can tell you what I did with an extremely unsocialized and fear aggressive foster I had.

Take you puppy to the vet when he doesn't need to go. The first time, just walk him in and out, with lots of praise and a treat if he doesn't act afraid.

Keep doing that, and give the staff a little treat to toss to him. Do this in stages, just a couple minutes at first and work up the time.

If your vet has time, ask if you can take him in and put him on the table for just a few seconds, and get him off before he acts afraid. Treats, praise and pets! IGNORE fear and do not comfort him, as he will think this is praise for acting fearful.

Let him pick out a little toy or treat from the racks that vets usually have.

I even did this with my present dog, who wasn't really afraid, and now she tries to pull me up the vet's driveway each time we go past.

Answer:
Okay I need more help - now it seems Tally is afraid of ME. My mum and I both held her when she had her jab. Now she is constipated again and whenever either one of us plays with her she yelps to be let free and wriggles. It's really hurting because we both love her so much and want her to be happy and healthy. No, the first vet was like that but the Scottish one just plonked her on the table. He tried to examine her but as soon as she started wriggling he abandoned it. Also, my Mum said she noticed he stuck the needle in, took it out when she yelped and then put it in again. Could this have had an effect on the way she's behaving?

Answer: