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  1. #1
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    On the table or off?

    Wondering how your vet examines your dog? We use to use a vet that would squat down to Remy's level to do his exams. It was great! We only left that place because they were extremely tough to get into, if not scheduled far enough in advanced...

    Our current vet wants all dogs to stand on a table. They would also like the owner to pick them up. Which I totally can't do. I asked for help the last few visits but sense an annoyance. Once the vet actually just grabbed Remy by his collar to lift him up. I was so mad, actually still upsets me thinking about it.

    If my husband takes Remy, he can totally lift him on his own. But he can't always do the appointments.

    I called today to see if the office has steps or something a dog can use to get up on their tables (the tables are non motorized). They said no. I said that we have to be gentle with Remy he is still early post op but coming up on being due for his yearly shots. The receptionist said oh we can help lift him. My response was yeah well I haven't been impressed by the help of lifting him, especially when it's by the collar.

    I am thinking about looking for a new vet for this reason alone.

    What about your vet, table or no table?

  2. #2
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    The dogs have always been seen on the floor...cats on the table.

    They shouldn't be expecting owners to lift big dogs...and, in my opinion, there are lots of times when a dog shouldn't be lifted.

    I would have had to find another vet if I'd been expected to lift our bigger dogs like that...especially after I hurt my back.

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    Remy (02-27-2017)

  4. #3
    Senior Dog Tanya's Avatar
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    I'd be pretty upset if they required a lab on the table.

    Rocky has always been looked at on the ground by all the vet's we've been to (we have had three vets as regulars over the years and a few visits with "random vets" at those clinics if my regular wasn't available - I've changed clinics 3x). He is 80 pounds, there is no way I can lift him. There is no room for him on most tables anyway. And trying to get him on a table would be VERY VERY stressful as due to his size, he isn't used to being picked up. Nor is that something I can physically do so I aint practicing that. We've come a long way in his allowing me to help him up and down stairs and in and out of cars as he has aged but it's a process we do together. If the vet gave no other option than on the table I would find another vet. Seriously they can't be lifting Newfs and other larger (100+) dogs onto a table!?

    Penny, my last dog who was 40 pounds, did go on the table for regular exams. It was my first experience with a dog actually going on the table. I could and did lift her up regularly so that part wasn't stressful. she was not happy on the table though (but since she wasn't ever looked at on the ground; I can't tell if that was the exam itself; or due to being on the table; or both!). I had no real issues with her being up there. Actually the ER vet and the Specialist didn't put her on a table they looked at her on the ground.

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    Remy (02-27-2017)

  6. #4
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    Thanks for the feedback! I was starting to wonder if I was the crazy one! Yes, Remy HATES being up on the table. You can see the muscles tense up. And with this particular vet not being gentle I am worried that his leg could be injured; by the method or even just from him tensing up.

  7. #5
    Senior Dog smartrock's Avatar
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    Neither of mine are put up on the table for exams, shots, or anything else. I could lift Lark if I had to, Chase, at 85-90 pounds, is too much for me to dead lift. Chase would not be happy up on a slippery steel table and would probably not be too cooperative. I wouldn't want either of them to try to jump off. We've seen probably 6 different vets in this veterinary practice and none of them (2 men, 4 women) have expected the dogs to be put up on the exam table. I don't have a weight or size in mind that is "ok" to put up on a table but thinking of the dogs at Westminster, the littles go up, the mediums and larges do not. I'd probably look around for another practice if they are insistent unless, maybe, I was wildly fond of the vet. And I'd have probably made that move right after the vet lifted my dog by his collar, which seems inexcusable.

  8. #6
    Senior Dog Snowshoe's Avatar
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    ON the floor but up for ultrasounds on his belly and up for X-rays. When I see the Vet crouching down, bending, sitting on the floor I often wonder if this is a hazard they learn in school, how it will affect their ability to do their job as their own joints age.
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  9. #7
    Senior Dog Tanya's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Snowshoe View Post
    ON the floor but up for ultrasounds on his belly and up for X-rays. When I see the Vet crouching down, bending, sitting on the floor I often wonder if this is a hazard they learn in school, how it will affect their ability to do their job as their own joints age.
    True
    I have to say my new holistic vet is...quite old. He hasn't asked Rocky to be raised in any way, he has a low stool to sit on as needed. But I can completely see this being an issue. Our regular vet is more middle aged and is down on the ground with the dog. Vet techs often sit on the ground with us for stuff like bloodwork and blood pressure (or crouching).

    I guess for grooming they have to bring dogs "up" onto a table so that would be an interesting place to look at. They can't possibly be lifting newfs and such I am pretty sure they have stairs and such (or ramps for self serve). I haven't ever heard of a large breed being groomed on the floor. i'd have to ask my friends (newf owners / fosters) as I know their dogs need grooming (most newf taking into rescue need a pretty darn good groom which takes many hours). SO if vet needed the dog to be "up" they would need to just set-up the office to allow that without dead lifing big dogs (who likely never get lifted!)

  10. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by smartrock View Post
    And I'd have probably made that move right after the vet lifted my dog by his collar, which seems inexcusable.
    I totally agree that it seems inexcusable. The big reason we stayed is we are very limited to the number of local vets. This office that I am currently going to is the closest and it's almost an hour away. I did just recently learn of another vet that is maybe 20 mins further but that office also requires large dogs to stand on a table and that vet is elderly and will not help lift. The vet office that I am thinking of switching to is over an hour drive each way, so it again is further... but it's very clean, dogs are on the floor, and the office staff is very competent. Just have to go with it and make the call. I just know that my husband isn't exactly thrilled to have to drive further, especially if there is an emergency issue.

  11. #9
    Senior Dog CraftHer's Avatar
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    When ours were puppies, up on the table. After a certain weight (I think it was 40 lbs), then on the floor. If they require the dogs on the table, then they need a way of doing that whether it's a ramp, steps or motor.

    Mocha is 28" tall and 96 pounds. If he were to stand on the table, then the vet would have to use a step stool to get to him.

  12. #10
    Senior Dog Tanya's Avatar
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    So I asked my friend with newf experience. She said most groomers have a ramp to get htem up but that many won't use it (would require some work/desensitization) and in that case two people lift the newf on the table (and that isn't actually isn't that bad with two). Interesting.

 



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