When you go to the vet, do they help you lift your dog onto the table?

[Skywalker]

I know it is kind of a strange question, LOL.

We have a couple dogs, the largest one being about 70 pounds. Usually when he has to go to the vet my husband takes him but this time I had to take him.

When the vet asked me to lift him onto the table for examination, I just couldn't do it. I struggled and hoisted and did my best but I guess I just don't do well with 70 pounds of resistence.

Finally, I asked him if he could help me and he said, "You shouldn't have a dog that you can't lift on your own." So I got frustrated and said, "Well then I guess we'll have to reschedule the appointment." Then he rolled his eyes and helped me lift up the dog.

Is this normal or is this vet a jerk?

 

[MushyMushy]

My last vet was elderly and couldn't do much to help other than grab on to the hind legs. Our latest vet just got down on the floor with her. I think they have a ramp or something for a dog to walk up to the table, but I honestly don't know what they'd do if the dog was too sick to walk up it.

She's 100 pounds, so there's no way I could get her up myself!

 

[becjlek]

Our dog is about 50 lbs. but she gets scared so our vet gets down on the floor with her.

 

[Oreo Cookie]

I know it is kind of a strange question, LOL.

We have a couple dogs, the largest one being about 70 pounds. Usually when he has to go to the vet my husband takes him but this time I had to take him.

When the vet asked me to lift him onto the table for examination, I just couldn't do it. I struggled and hoisted and did my best but I guess I just don't do well with 70 pounds of resistence.

Finally, I asked him if he could help me and he said, "You shouldn't have a dog that you can't lift on your own." So I got frustrated and said, "Well then I guess we'll have to reschedule the appointment." Then he rolled his eyes and helped me lift up the dog.

Is this normal or is this vet a jerk?

It sounds like your vet is a jerk, and I would find a new one.

At the vet I use, she always comes in with a tech or assistant. I have an 80 lb lab, so usually the exam is done on the floor, he's not lifted onto the table. If the table needs to be used, first it lowers down, and then we all work together to get him on it, and keep him there. My dog is well behaved, so I don't have any problems.

At my vets office there are tons of people with large breed dogs, and the staff is always helpful.

 

[Regina]

That's ridiculous. I'd be looking for a new Vet.

 

[Skywalker]

My last vet was elderly and couldn't do much to help other than grab on to the hind legs. Our latest vet just got down on the floor with her. I think they have a ramp or something for a dog to walk up to the table, but I honestly don't know what they'd do if the dog was too sick to walk up it.

She's 100 pounds, so there's no way I could get her up myself!

Too bad this vet doesn't have a ramp or anything, that would make sense. He didn't want to treat him on the floor he wanted him up on the table.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Maybe he has an injury or something that makes it so he can't lift, but there are nicer ways to ask, and more modern equipment that makes it so nobody has to lift (our vet has a table that goes up and down). Maybe he was having a bad day but what he said was IMO, rude, and I disagree with the sentiment, too.

I lift my dogs when needed (luckily I'm able) and my vet will lift them sometimes, too. Vets are a hearty bunch and know going into that line of work it's rough. Ever read James Herriot's books?

 

[sunlver]

I would think this is NOT common. I have two large dogs. My vet always gets down on the floor to do the exams. The vet ALWAYS has a vet tech assistant with them.

I volunteer with an all breeds doggie rescue group. We have a specfic vet we take the foster dogs too. At this place, the vet tech assistant ALWAYS lifts the dogs to the table.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

My vet always got the dogs on the table. Granted, mine were shelties and max 30 pounds. Also, their table was their scale and it had a lift in it so the dog could step up onto it and then they raised it. And this wasn't some new fancy office but an older country vet office.

 

[Pam]

Our vet has a sign in each treatment room stating that the staff will do all the lifting, etc. during the visit.

He has at least one assistant with him during all of the procedures.

Last year our 13 yr. old chocolate lab was having serious heart problems (she died last July) and she just couldn't tolerate being confined in the small treatment room and had a major panic attack. Our vet had my husband and son take her outside, where he conducted the examination and treated her.

Your vet was out of line.

 

[java]

Yes vet being a jerk. First off our Vet has a table that goes up and down for the heavier guys. But honestly when I had my 75 pound bulldog - they always helped me get him up.

I would find a new vet.

 

[vettechick99]

Your vet is a total jerk! Does that mean all mastiffs and great danes shouldn't exist because they are 200#s plus? What a tool. Find a new vet.

Oh and I have a 40# basset that I doubt my 100# frame could lift to a table. I guess medium-sized dogs should be killed off too.

 

[Iansmom]

Chrissy wasn't that big. She was all hair... she really only weighed 40 pounds. And I could lift her...

but my vet didn't always require she be on the table. All of the vets in our vet's office always did everything they could to make the pet as comfortable as possible. If the table spooked the pet, the vet would "follow" the pet to find where the pet was most comfortable. If that meant the vet would get down on the floor, they did.

 

[mamamary]

yep - sounds like vet is a jerk.

My lab is about 65 pounds. They do the exam on the floor. The tables in my vet's office have to be at least 3 or 4 feet off the ground. I assumed only little dogs and other small animals need to go on the table.

The scale in my vet's office is a few inches off the floor. My dog is so afraid of it. I have a hard time getting him on that. Luckily the vet asst. always helps with that without even being asked.

 

[NikiM20]

Wow you vet is a JERK!!! My vet gets down to examine Ozzy (Great Dane). Ozzy tried to jump on the table once and ended up with the front half over one side and the back half over the other LOL Hes a goof!! I also have a shepherd mix that weighs 40 lbs max. I could easily put her on the table, but he does her exams on the floor. He used the tables for small breeds and cats

 

[yeartolate]

I have always gotten my pooch on the table myself.THey never asked. If he had to go to a procedure room, they did it. Although Binky was only 50 pounds, I can't remember anytime when we had a larger breed dog that we didn't do it ourselves either. They never asked, we assumed....so maybe we were the only ones? But I doubt it.

I can't speak for every vet , but ours is a very busy practice and I can't imagine them lifitng all day. The other issue is pets are not always predictible in unusal enviroments and the are more amenable to handling by the owner.

I think the vet is within his rights to ask, and you are within your rights to pick a different vet.

I would get my kid up on an exam table.....why wouldn't i get my dog up there too?

 

[sweet angel]

My vet gets down on the floor with my dogs. The comment that you shouldn't have a dog you can't life is stupid.

 

[Tinkerbell2002]

My dog is around 40 pounds and the vet always examines him on the floor. They have never asked me to lift him on the table. I think it is the comment that you shouldn't have a dog that you can't lift is the reason I would be finding a new vet. That is an unnecessary remark on the vet's part. If that is truly the case, there would be even more large dogs at the pound than there already are.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Your vet is a jerk for the comment.

If my vet wants my dogs on the table, they put them there.

Most of the time the exams are on the floor.

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

I would look for a new vet.