On the table or off?

[Java]

At current vet (all three dogs), floor. Previous vet (who retired) looked after my beagle for ten years - floor for regular stuff. Table for closer examination.

[MightyThor]

Yikes, that would worry me. Thor gets so excited at the vet (see previous threads) that I would be afraid that he'd fall off the table in one of his happy wiggle fits. I'm thinking of the stainless steel table that our vet has. On our last visit, when he was going in for his neutering, he kept trying to 'counter surf' the table but his paws would slip off. I can't imagine him trying to stay still on it!

He's always been examined on the floor, even as a small pup, probably because of that wiggly energy.

[outrag]

I've had it both ways. Current Vet for both my dogs have motorized tables. One is a newer model with a thick padding mat on table top. That one is not bad because the dog doesn't slip. The other one is terrible with just a stainless table top. It depends on what's being done and which vet is looking at the dog. A lot of times it's just on the floor. I will assist with securing the dog to prevent a fall and keep him calm.

[POPTOP]

Go to a local vet who is in a single practice. She also has a bad back and she does not do lifting. She will get on her roll around stool, low to the ground and do exams. Sometimes she needs the dog on the table and has a "large dog" room with a power table. There is always a tech or two, beside myself, surrounding the dog as it is not a comfortable, secure, place for them to be. The techs are very good at getting the dogs up and keeping them safe although none of them appreciate it. I know it makes it much easier for the vet to do a good exam and am used to her routine.

If they every tried what you described, my dog and I would be walking out.

[Macy]

Our vet and his techs are on the floor. Our derm vet is on the floor with her as well.

[Shelley]

I train my girls from puppyhood on, to be comfortable on the exam table and grooming table at home. It helps when we are doing breedings, ultrasounds to confirm pregnancy, OFA hip and elbow x rays, nail dremeling, etc... I teach them "paws" to put their front paws on the table, (or my van, etc...) and I boost their rear up. Usually though, my examines them on the floor, kisses and all LOL

[smartrock]

I boost Chase into the back of my SUV and that works fine but the steel exam tables at my vet's office are so high and so narrow that I'd either be boosting him up and over the other side or he'd skid into the wall it's attached to. I've never seen any motorized tables. Why can't they have padded benches that are a little lower, like seat height, for the dogs to stand on? If allowed, most of our dogs can hop up on a sofa. That's what I vote for for larger dog exams.