Spot the hidden signs of dog pain and make vet visits more comfortable for them.
The signs Nellie was poorly were hiding in plain sight
Nellie's IBS flare
Nellie is currently dealing with an IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) flare. Her usual treatment is a course of steroids. This time I caught it really early, so she's on a short two-week anti-inflammatory course, and she should be all better in the next 6–8 weeks.
How I knew something was wrong
I noticed the flare because Nellie's behaviour started to change. She was:
- less tolerant on her loose lead walks
- sniffing to forage rather than to track
- itching all over and chewing her tail
- floor licking
- showing signs she didn't want me near her, like whale eye and lip licking
If I hadn't noticed those signs, I'm sure she would have growled or even bitten. Pain is often behind sudden grumpiness or reactivity in dogs.
Why vet visits are hard for Nellie
Getting Nellie through a vet visit can be challenging. Since she was a puppy, she's had several procedures for her IBS, and this has made her nervous and anxious at the vets (and quite rightly so!). So I've done lots of work to make her visits as calm and comfortable as possible.
Making visits calmer
We've spent lots of time just popping in for Nellie to have a fuss and some treats, then coming straight back out. This helps the vets become a positive place for her.
I always arrive as close to her appointment time as possible. If she seems extra anxious, I ask the team to ring me when it's our turn, and we wait in the car.
What I take with me
Every time we go to the vets, I pack:
- A really tasty lick mat for while we're waiting. Licking is calming, and it makes waiting a really positive experience.
- A tube of paste for her to lick while she's being examined.
- Treats to scatter feed in the consulting room.
- Her muzzle.
Why muzzle training matters
Muzzle training has been really important for Nellie. One of her flare symptoms is wanting to eat everything in sight, because she feels ill when her tummy is empty. This can be very dangerous: she could eat something that makes her even more poorly, or worse, something that could kill her. So when she's scavenging like this, she wears her muzzle to keep her safe.
She also wears her muzzle while the vet examines her, because any dog in pain could potentially resort to biting. It protects Nellie and, more importantly, the vet!
Need some help with vet visits?
If your dog doesn't like the vets and you'd love to make visits a more positive experience, click this link to book your free 15-minute chat. We can see how I can help you and your dog feel calmer and happier at the vets.