A week ago I took Emma and Scarlett in to get their routine shots - and whatever were necessary for their international travels. They both were just happy to be riding in the car with me, and excited to get out. Once we got there, I had to fill out paperwork about their previous shot records - which I wasn't able to find from last year - so I just had them get all the necessary work done, so their paperwork would be in order when we leave.
Scarlett is usually the most skiddish one - and sitting in the waiting room with them both while trying to fill out paper work on my lap - and attempt to quiet them from wanting to bark at the other dogs in the room, was a nice lesson on what I get to look forward to while going around more public places with them. Especially, if the dogs are larger, while in the waiting room they both encountered a large poodle, a rottweiler, a bugle hound, and a boxer! Little Scarlett especially feels she's at least their size when wanting to growl or bark at them..she's a warrior.
We finally were escorted back into the exam room, where I snapped some shots of what was in the room. Some very informative posters and diagrams/models of dog anatomy!
The vet tech came in and asked me if they had any health issues she should note on their charts - I said, no - except that Emma tends to do these backward sneezes (Sounds like she can't get her breath), but the tech said that can be a symptom of allergies. I did let her know I only chose kibble which is corn and wheat-free - if I could afford something else, I would pick the best they could have!
Then came the exam part where the veterinarian came in with the necessary shots (3 separate syringes for each dog and a nasal spray administration each). What's nice about this administration is that the Rabies vaccines will last 3 years - so, I won't need to worry about that for a while!
One shot was administered in the upper shoulder of each pup, and the other two were administered in the lower bum areas. Scarlett, especially doesn't like being handles anywhere behind her or on her back - she had to be held down full force by the vet tech - I felt really bad - but I have to follow the rules and regulations, so they can fly with us!
(Personally, I am not a proponent of immunizations - unless deathly necessary)
Both of them did a great job - then were taken to the back to be weighed and get their nails trimmed. I found out that Emma weighs 12lbs and Scarlett weighs 11lbs. This is vital information for travel - because each airline has different weight requirements for the pups to be transported in cabin during flight. Preferably, I am going to try my best to get them in the cabin with us on the long haul flight across the Pacific!
They did really well, considering, and I was happy to see they weren't forever traumatized! They bounced right back off the table and jaunted with me out the door and to the front to pay their bill
(which was around $100 each, for everything, I feel that was very reasonable!)
Afterwards, when we got back into the car, I drove over to the local drug store and got them a cup of vanilla ice cream to share for doing such an amazing job - of course they loved the treat!
Now all that is left to make them flight ready is to get them a Health Certificate from the vet 10 days prior to take-off, which will basically be their 'doggy passports' for entry into another country.
What do you do to help your dogs endure the visit to the vet? How do your dogs act while there?
