From: MISPKB1@kentvm.kent.edu
Subject: Re: dog on table at vet
Organization: Kent State Univ.
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1992 11:45:34 GMT

   My old vet always lifted my heavy dogs onto the table
for me.  My new vet asked me where I thought my dogs
would be more confortable - on the floor or on the table.
Of course they are happier on the floor so that is
where they are treated most of the time.  There are
occassions when the dog does need to be on the table
but at least for my dogs that is few.  My dogs also
have a command to tell them to lay on their sides
which helps.  I don't know if this vet gives
everyone a choice or I was given a choice since
we are acquaintences and knows they compete in
obedience and are people friendly.
 
 
In article <BvGnIA.G0x@news.cso.uiuc.edu>
kjt34420@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Kristin J. Thommes) writes:
 
>
>lpj@col.hp.com (Laura Johnson) writes:
>
>>Seriously (but it was funny to watch)... I knew I had the wrong vet
>>when he insisted on lifting my very mellow, 110-pound setter onto
>>a table for routine exams and shots. Allie hated it, I hated it (I
>>had to help lift!), and I found a new vet ASAP.
>
>Wait a minute....I know this is just your opinion...but I have to give
>this my two-cents-worth (which I am sure is not worth two cents to some ppl,
>but anyway...)
>
>Having worked in a number of animal hospitals, I have been able to watch
>many physical exams being done on dogs and cats alike.  Most of the time,
>when the doctor is giving a P.E., he or she prefers the animal to be on
>the table, for several reasons.  One reason is that this puts the animal off
>of the floor where he feels "safe" and thus it sometimes helps to prevent
>the animal from snapping.  (Yes, I realize that some animals will try to
>jump off the table, but that is another story altogether).  Another reason
>is that, should the animal require restraint, the assistant can get
>leverage to hold the animlal still while the doctor does his/her job
>without needing to worry about getting bitten or having the patient try
>to hide under a chair.  Most importantly, to my way of thinking, is that
>for most doctors to do a physical, they need to be able to see the
>skin on the belly, palpate the abdomen, listen to the heart, etc.;  all
>of which would require the vet to sit or even lie on the floor.  What's
>wrong with sitting on the floor?  Nothing...if the animal won't snap and
>you have to get away quickly, or if you don't have a bad back.  If you DO
>have a back problem, leaning over animals all day certainly won't help, and
>it is possible that you might not do as complete an exam you would have
>done if your back had not started hurting.  (I know I can barely rinse my
>dog off after giving her a bath and leaning over the tub for 1/2 hr,
>I can imagine how it would feel to lean over a dogs all day long).
>
>Like I said, this is just my opinion, but from what I have seen there
>are too many advantages to having the animal up on the table versus
>having them on the floor, especially when needing to restrain.  At least
>*try* to see it from the vet's point of view...if you aren't happy with
>what they are doing, let them know or have them explain it to you.  If
>they won't answer your questions, well...then it's time to find another
>vet.
>
>--
>
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs