Vet Visit, part 2

Cody paces around the exam room.

While Cody and I waited for an exam room to open, he stayed busy by performing for treats. Cody knows sit, spin, and touch so we alternated those along with short recalls. We shared the waiting room with several other dogs, some relaxed, and some frantic and noisy. While the noisy dog made Cody a little nervous he redirected easily when I called his name. Finally an exam room opened up!

Exploring the room.

I was able to let Cody off the leash for a few moments and let him explore the room. In normal Cody fashion didn't remain still for very long and circled the room a few times checking everything out. After he finished it was time for a return to doing tricks for food to help him settle down and enjoy himself until the vet came. I packed Cody's two favorite portable treats - Ziwi Peak Fish and Venison and K9 Natural Air-Dried Lamb Tripe in hopes that such high-value food would head off any nervousness.

I put the treat bag on the exam table...

Cody first tried to reach it...

Unable to reach the bag, he tried a new tactic - puppy dog eyes!

The vet technician came in to take his temperature, and Cody let me pick him up and place him on the exam table without even a grumble. He didn't appreciate the thermometer, but he let me hold him and feed him treats.

We took a break between the temperature check and the vet exam.

Next came the vet, which was not a pleasant experience. If Cody gets scared enough he will bite. He has bitten me a few times but has never even left a bruise. At the vet's request I muzzled Cody. He growled and shook while she examined him, then they took him in the back to draw blood for a thyroid test, and microchipped him. It only took a few minutes but was very rough for Cody, who has a growly exterior but is sweet and soft inside.

Cody when he returned.

Cody was understandably freaked out when he came back from the back, and so my priority was to help him out of that distressed state of mind as quickly as possible and get him back to feeling good. Out came the treats, the baby talk, and the kisses. While Cody normally paces, he jumped up beside me and didn't want to go very far from me.

Getting back to the eager boy I know.

After a few minutes Cody started to relax and focus back on how to earn more rewards. We waited about 15 minutes for the results of the thyroid test, and that came back normal - great! The vet prescribed Cody clomipramine, a tricylic antidepressant. My hope is to use this for 3-6 months while working through Cody's touch sensitivity and insecurities, then wean him off it as quickly as possible.

 Once he had settled down we packed up and headed out to the car for a potty break and then some well-earned nap time for Cody!