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

[MM27]

I think they probably want you to do it because the dog would be much more comfortable with the owner lifting him/her than a stranger.

My dog that passed away last year hated going to the vet. A normally calm, loving dog, he turned into CUJO, to the point that they would have to muzzle him. I made the mistake of taking my other dog at the same time and he was even worse because he was trying to protect his little sister.

Our vet has a scale/table that lowers so the dog can just walk on, but I always had to "help" him.

When it was time to put him to sleep, he couldn't even walk on his own so I carried him from the car, into the vet and on the table (all 80 pounds of him)
They did offer help, but at that point, it was too sad to put him down.

 

[yeartolate]

Trust me, it would dawn on you real quick if you were Chloe's owner! She weighs 112lbs. More than her owner. There is no way my body, much less my mind, could ever imagine me lifting her onto an exam table.

When I bought her, I had no idea that I was going to be getting a mutant Golden Retriever. She's twice the breed standard for a female.

But wouldn't the vet normally examine a dog that size on the floor as much as possible?

But as I said before, if the vet has a "you lift" rule - and you don't like it, you are free to find a new vet. I see no reason to think the vet is a jerk as some posters have stated.

If it bothered me enough, I would find a vet that had better equipment (like ramps,etc)for my larger breed dog. But to think the vet is a jerk because they want me to take responsibility for my pet? Nah.

I don't go to Pack and Save groceries if I am unwilling to pack my own groceries. I would not think they are jerks because they won't pack my groceries - I just would not go back.

 

[Keli]

It never dawned on me not to get my own dog on the table.

Why would I put my child up on the table (at the pediatricians, not the vet ) and not my dog?

You know, by the time your kid weighs 70 lbs they are gonna be old enough to sit on the table by themselves (I know I was 4th or 5th grade by the time I weighed that much). There really isn't a good correlation between a child and a dog IMHO.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

But wouldn't the vet normally examine a dog that size on the floor as much as possible?

But as I said before, if the vet has a "you lift" rule - and you don't like it, you are free to find a new vet. I see no reason to think the vet is a jerk as some posters have stated.

If it bothered me enough, I would find a vet that had better equipment (like ramps,etc)for my larger breed dog. But to think the vet is a jerk because they want me to take responsibility for my pet? Nah.

It's not what the vet said, it's how it was said. For a vet to tell someone that they shouldn't own a dog that they can't lift... well, that's just stupid.

And you're right, she does have the option of finding another vet, but that doesn't give the vet the right to have a crappy bedside manner. I'm pretty sure that's why she asked our opinions.

I don't go to Pack and Save groceries if I am unwilling to pack my own groceries. I would not think they are jerks because they won't pack my groceries - I just would not go back.

Not apples to apples in this case, and not in comparing a pediatrician's office to a vet's either. Or a child to a dog.

 

[mylilnikita]

If I pay someone to do a service for me, I better not hear any lip or see rolling of the eyes, much less have them say something like that. If I didn't have my big dogs, I wouldn't be there in the first place to have them take my money.

Slightly OT, a couple years ago, I took DD to WDW and had someone companion aide with my DM, not because she needs it, but that is a whole different thing. I am at All Star Movies, and DM calls me and says that the aide told her I shouldn't take a vacation and get a job. I wasn't working at the time, because I resigned to take care of my DF before he passed away and some of the trip had been paid for in advance to that.
Now, if I stayed home, this aide wouldn't have been working for me that week. I called the office and someone else was out to the house the next day.

My point is : as long as you are getting paid and providing a service for me, keep your opinions and your bad attitude to yourself or you will go without working for me.

 

[yeartolate]

It's not what the vet said, it's how it was said. For a vet to tell someone that they shouldn't own a dog that they can't lift... well, that's just stupid.

And you're right, she does have the option of finding another vet, but that doesn't give the vet the right to have a crappy bedside manner. I'm pretty sure that's why she asked our opinions.



Not apples to apples in this case, and not in comparing a pediatrician's office to a vet's either. Or a child to a dog.

I guess what has me especially is that the OP stated her dog was 70 pounds of resistance. If the dog is 70 pounds and resistive to the owner, what about the vet? I think it is not unreasonable for people to have pets they can handle. A pet that is resistive is very difficult. THey probably have had workmans comp issues that lead to the decison not to lift. But one thing -- I think the signage in the waitng area should be clear "You are expected to (blah blah blah)" That way pet owners would know to find a different vet. One that had facilities more in tune to my pet's needs. ANd yeah, one without a vet with an attitude. If the OP otherwise really likes the vet, and the issue is only the lifting, not the attitude - maybe her DH should go from now on.

Again, my comparison was meant to say- if you don't like the rules, you are a consumer, go elsewhwere.

 

[mylilnikita]

Ok, what about when a pet is injured and is brought in, there is an animal in pain and needed to be checked out and maybe operated on, possibly trying to bite because it is pain.
They have to lift that animal onto the table to look the pet over, x ray it possibly and give it drugs for pain or drugs so they can operate on it.
They know with their profession, they are going to have to lift a heavy animal or possibly be bitten.

 

[yeartolate]

Ok, what about when a pet is injured and is brought in, there is an animal in pain and needed to be checked out and maybe operated on, possibly trying to bite because it is pain.
They have to lift that animal onto the table to look the pet over, x ray it possibly and give it drugs for pain or drugs so they can operate on it.
They know with their profession, they are going to have to lift a heavy animal or possibly be bitten.

Yes, and you will pay for that level of treatment. THere will be extra techs for the x-rays and procedures that may not be available in the normal rooms.

By the way. We have a 17 year old cat that is perfect at home but bad biting scratching kitty at the vet. I pay dearly for an extra level of care she needs just to keep her hyperthyroid condition in check.

One of the front office folks told me "just pop in with Murphy in 2 weeks for a lab test" -- the one that knew her "no, she needs an appointment" and we both laughed.


But again, if the NORMAL rule is "you lift" and you do not like it....go elsewhere - no biggie. But they should post a clear sign in the front office.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

I guess what has me especially is that the OP stated her dog was 70 pounds of resistance. If the dog is 70 pounds and resistive to the owner, what about the vet? I think it is not unreasonable for people to have pets they can handle. A pet that is resistive is very difficult. THey probably have had workmans comp issues that lead to the decison not to lift. But one thing -- I think the signage in the waitng area should be clear "You are expected to (blah blah blah)" That way pet owners would know to find a different vet. One that had facilities more in tune to my pet's needs. ANd yeah, one without a vet with an attitude. If the OP otherwise really likes the vet, and the issue is only the lifting, not the attitude - maybe her DH should go from now on.

Again, my comparison was meant to say- if you don't like the rules, you are a consumer, go elsewhwere.

I understand what you're saying. I've never had an issue with the fact the vet didn't want to lift the pet. Granted, and we both agree on this - if this is the case, then it needs to be posted somewhere so that clients know this.

My issue is with the "eye rolling" and the unnecessary comments on his part. This is where I think the vet is the jerk.

I think two different issues in the OP are getting mixed up here. Or maybe we have differing attitudes on how we expect to be treated by people. Maybe we have different jerk-o-meters... who knows.

Not to be argumentative; I'm really just curious:

Right now I'm 41 and in good health. I still can't lift Chloe. I don't know of too many people who can "handle" a dog over 100lbs. Even my husband, who's 6'2" and very fit, struggles with her.

Any dog that size is going to wiggle when someone is trying to pick them up. It's not natural to them and they're going to try to resist. But does this mean that we shouldn't own large breed dogs, because by definition, we can't handle them? Who in the world can "handle" a Great Dane, like the OP was expected to handle her dog? Mr. Olympia?

 

[Nana Annie]

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?

Our vet's tables lower to the ground, so you step your dog on it and then you hold it for the ride up.

And yes, the vet techs always help getting the dog on the table and securing it.

 

[yeartolate]

You go to a vet that has better facilities for large breed dogs. And again, a great Dane would probably treated on the floor unless there was a table worthy situation, and then (again) you would pay dearly for it.

When you get a pet, do you just pick someone out of the yellow pages? Or do you find a vet that is more in tune to your needs?


I started bringing my mom's dog into the vet when she was unable to handle him.

If the vet did roll his eyes, it was unprofessional. I might leave if that were really the case. That is not a grown up response.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

You go to a vet that has better facilities for large breed dogs. And again, a great Dane would probably treated on the floor unless there was a table worthy situation, and then (again) you would pay dearly for it.

Do people really pay more, for service, for a large breed? I mean, I know they'd pay more for vacs and meds, but for service?

When you get a pet, do you just pick someone out of the yellow pages? Or do you find a vet that is more in tune to your needs?

That first question is loaded and is worthy of a thread all its own!

And no, I didn't search for a vet that handled large breeds. I've had three vets total, and they just did. I never realized it was a question that needed to be asked, to be honest with you.

I do ask when it's a groomer, or someone of that nature, but I would think a vet would treat all domesticated animals. I've never heard of one that excluded large breeds, not to say it doesn't happen.

I started bringing my mom's dog into the vet when she was unable to handle him.

I love large dogs. I don't know what I'll do when I'm older, because I imagine that I'll always want them.

If the vet did roll his eyes, it was unprofessional. I might leave if that were really the case. That is not a grown up response.

From the OP:

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.

According the OP he did. That's why I called him a jerk.

 

[OceanAnnie]

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?

I would've wanted to say, "No, I shouldn't have a vet that isn't helpful.". Adding, "Never mind." and walked out.

Not sure it would've happened that way, as I usually think of the zingers after the fact. Sometimes when I'm mad enough a zinger will fly out without a pause.

He was a JERK.

 

[maelstrom]

I guess people shouldn't have Great Danes, Greyhounds, Mastiffs, St. Bernards, German Shepards, or other large dogs. Can you imagine *anyone* lifting a Mastiff or St. Bernard onto an exam room table? Even St. Bernard puppies are huge. I absolutely think that the vet or vet tech or someone working in the office should be there to assist in lifting the dog if necessary.

 

[dimimi]

Our vet doesn't even want us to try. He bends down! I'd find a new vet. Imagine, the dog is scared, he/she's heavy and the dog falls!

 

[yeartolate]

Do people really pay more, for service, for a large breed? I mean, I know they'd pay more for vacs and meds, but for service?



That first question is loaded and is worthy of a thread all its own!

And no, I didn't search for a vet that handled large breeds. I've had three vets total, and they just did. I never realized it was a question that needed to be asked, to be honest with you.

I do ask when it's a groomer, or someone of that nature, but I would think a vet would treat all domesticated animals. I've never heard of one that excluded large breeds, not to say it doesn't happen.



I love large dogs. I don't know what I'll do when I'm older, because I imagine that I'll always want them.



From the OP:


According the OP he did. That's why I called him a jerk.

I believe my great dane "pay dearly for it" comment" had more to do with any procedure that would require a very large breed dog to be up on a table (let us say drainage of a cyst, sutures, etc) would inherently be very expensive anyway. Not that they would cost more for a great dane. Basic care for very large breed dogs is not table worthy. My brother bred Newfoundlands and no way on God's green earth would they be up on a table!!!At least not the adults!


My comment regarding a vet that handled larger breeds, more had to do with the OP's inability to lift the dog. Finding a vet that was willing to do all the lifting is more than an acceptable answer. But I still can't fault the vet for setting a rule about owners lifting their own dogs in non urgent situations. But I think there should be a posted sign indicating this is the policy. So the owners would be forwarned. A vet that has this as a policy may find he loses a bit of business. But perhaps the loss of business is mitigated by decreased workman's comp premiums. Who knows.


THe roll eyes thing is unbelievable - totally unprofessional. If my pets vet rolled their eyes at me, I would be getting a new vet - pronto. That behavior is disrespectful.

 

[ilovepcot]

I know just how the OP feels. Never...not once, has the Vet ever offered to help me life my dog up on the table. You can see what a rough time I have.

But seriously, I like to hear his response to my neighbor. She's a single parent and bought a trained dog ($11,500) for home protection. He weights almost 130 pounds and she's a small woman. She's been the victim of home invasion and this was a well thought out purchase...not just a dog chosen for a cute face.

 

[Freyja]

Ours doesn´t but I´m sure she would if I asked her to.

 

[yeartolate]

I know just how the OP feels. Never...not once, has the Vet ever offered to help me life my dog up on the table. You can see what a rough time I have.

.

How could the vet not wanna help your big guy out?? Maybe he just doesn't want to damage the hair-do.

 

[ilovepcot]

How could the vet not wanna help your big guy out?? Maybe he just doesn't want to damage the hair-do.

Nah...truth be told, I think he's afraid of my bad as s dog!