What, our spring vet visit? It was such a nice morning! We had a short run, did some fun nose work hides, and then it happened. Before we knew it, we were in the vehicle, headed for the dreaded vet. Barring injury or illness, we end up there twice a year. Normally we go in March, so we were hoping Mom forgot this year, but that was not the case.
Don’t get me wrong, the people are super nice and friendly at our clinic, but we are super nervous about going there. I don’t mind so much, but Bailie is a furry basket case. The first thing we have to do is check out weight. Bailie is still holding steady at a muscular forty six pounds. Mom was happy I put on a couple pounds and now am at just under thirty pounds. I’m really skinny, despite eating almost as much as Bailie. Last fall, I was dropping pounds, so being back to thirty is a good thing.
We had to wait in the lobby for what seemed like weeks. Finally someone showed up to help us. She asked Mom a lot of questions, and then before I knew it, she was whisking me away all by myself. Mom said Bailie tried to come after me, but was not successful. Back in the bowels of the clinic, we had to get checked for heartworm. Of course, both of us tested negative, so we only needed to get more heartworm treatment for the coming season. Where we live, it is not necessary to take the pills all year long, but if we travel south to places like Florida we are apt to take it just in case.
We also needed to pick up some flea and tick prevention. The ticks where we live have gotten really bad the past few years. Many people are very against using any chemicals as a preventative, but for us, we find it is necessary. None of Mom’s dogs have ever had any reactions to topical or chewable flea and tick preventatives. Our furs, and especially me being short and shaggy, are tick magnets. In the fall of 2016, Bailie contracted a tick disease and became very ill, extremely fast. Thankfully, Mom got her to the vet early on, and they were able to treat her symptoms and get her on the road to recovery.
There are a lot of natural products for flea and tick prevention, but for us, they are not reliable enough, nor are they practical for our lifestyle. They often need to be applied every time a dog goes outside. We go in and out so often, it is just does not work for us. Everyone needs to decide on the best method of prevention for their own dog. Talking to your vet is often helpful in making these kind of decisions.
The entire vet visit didn’t take all that long, but we were stressed and exhausted when we got back home. Both of us curled up and slept for the rest of the afternoon.
I usually get to sleep in the wicker kennel in the afternoon. Bailie and I switch off all the time since it is our favorite napping spot. Knowing we are both healthy and set with preventatives for the upcoming season, we can rest without any worries. I guess the spring vet visit was a good idea after all. Is your pup ready for the battle against fleas, ticks, and heartworm?
bailie we are with you… and we dislike that place…. what kind of tick and flea prevention have you used? we are very unsure, frontline is no longer an option, bravecto caused a fb war and can be maybe deadly and seresto? IDK…
I use Nexgard, Madison uses Bravecto. They are all controversial, but we have to be well protected because of all the ticks around. Frontline is no longer very effective, that is true according to our vet, and what we have read.
I am so glad you both got a good report and I know you are both glad it is over!
We are sure you kitties are not thrilled about the vet either. Cat bro Bert is the only one in that family that enjoys the visit. Weird cat!
Thanks for the reminder. Just gave Katie her nextguard and hearguard.
Happy to help. Just a thought for the future, give them on different days, preferably two days or so apart. The reason is if there is any kind of reaction, you will know better which product caused it. Sometimes even if you have used something for a long time, they change a formula and it doesn’t agree with the dog 🙂
I absolutely know the stress of a vet visit! YIKES! I get my Heartguard on the first of every month – as you said a MUST here in Florida. I do not take flea and tick stuff unless I travel to Atlanta and far away places. Our back yard has proven to be safe from bugers! Have a happy, fun, and successful (if you have any events) weekend! XOXO, Sparkle
Florida is one state Heartworm is a serious problem. We get ticks right in our own yard, as they can be so bad here. Also being out and about a lot, we really need to be protected. Have a fun weekend.
Horray for a good check up.
Yes, we are happy about that so we don’t have to go back for a while.
Getting a good report from the doctor is a good thing. I’m happy for the both of you.
Have a woof woof day and weekend. My best to your wonderful and smart mom. ♥
This visit is pretty worry free for mom. Normally, if anything comes up, it is at the major tune up in the fall.
We have found that Frontline doesn’t help here in California anymore. The fleas have been getting more horrible every year! Although we put up a battle against them in our backyard, we still have enough small critters and cats that bring more in which is too bad since we love barking and chasing the squirrels, rodents and opossums.
Our vet told us about two years ago that Frontline is no longer very effective, so we switched at that time. Just like all drugs, the things being killed by it built up a resistance.
So glad all went well!!! Both of my boys are going next Thursday…Dakota is going to be groomed and he has to have pre-dental blood work done. Cody is going for one of his twice a year senior exams…I am a little concerned about Cody because he has had an issue going on for the past month. It might require xrays.
Oh no, poor Cody. Hopefully they will both be in good health. At least if you catch things early, that is a good thing. Mom usually thinks we are good, and then wham, the vet finds something, but hopefully our full service check up in the fall will go well too.
We posted about the fleas and ticks not long ago and the Ofhuh collar didn’t work for me and neither did the natural tick and flea wipes that we reviewed from Chewy. I”m back on Frontline Plus because mom can’t stand finding ticks on me and I have already had a tick borne illness and we need it to stay in remission. I take my Heartgard too and like you, we don’t have to use it 12 months a year.
Our vet told us Frontline is no longer as effective as it once was because fleas and ticks have developed a resistance to it, so we switched to other products. Ticks are nothing to take a risk with as Bailie knows. It was right before I came to live here that the ER vet said she might not make it overnight as she was so sick, but thankfully she pulled through.
Whew, we bet it was nice to have that over with for another 6 months! The ticks are also very bad here, and we make sure to take our Nexguard..because Lyme’s disease would be much worse!
xoxo,
Rosy, Jakey & Arty
We are always happy to be done at the vet any time we go! Bailie is on Nexgard too, and it seems to work well for her. Tick diseases are very scary.
That’s the other bad thing about spring….the bugs come back! We’re glad your vet visits went well, and that you are now well prepared for the battle!
We’re in the strictly natural camp here, but since we’re not as active as you are, it works well enough for us.
We can’t do the natural stuff. With two of us going in and out, it would drive Mom mad trying to keep us covered. In our case, the risk of chemicals are better than the deadly tick diseases we can get. Everyone has to do what they feel is right for their own dogs.
Glad you got a good bill of health!
The boys get their heartworm meds tomorrow. They get them all year since living in the south we can have mosquitos year round. BOL! Vet visits are so important to keep us healthy. We’re glad y’all are fine.
We know we have to go, but it doesn’t mean we will enjoy it. They are super nice people, but the place makes us uneasy. Glad you boys are protected.
I’m glad that your visit is behind you, and you are both healthy! We have vaccine titers coming up in a month plus exams. We’ve had only one dog who needed tick preventative. That was K who got anaphylactic shock whenever bitten by a tick. The natural stuff was nowhere near reliable enough for something so dangerous… I’m glad that you girls will be protected!
The ticks are so bad around here, we can’t mess around. Never heard of a dog going into anaphylactic shock from a tick, but that would be very scary.
So glad the visit went well. I use vet flea, tick and heartworm as well.
It’s such a bummer such tiny creatures can do us dog so much harm. We have to be protected.