Vet visit with Romeo

Well, Tuesday's vet visit wasn't a great success, but Romeo got two vaccines and an appointment to be neutered next Tuesday.

My vet's office has been open but they have changed the way they operate. They come out to the parking lot, take the dog inside, do what's needed, while the owner remains outside. That's fine for the most part and it's perfectly fine for "easy" dogs. It's not ideal for a dog like Romeo, however.

Della came along for the ride. She likes to bark
at people on the street from her spot in the van.

Romeo is fine with other people being around, but he doesn't like other people to touch him. That's a problem at a vet visit, especially one where I can't accompany him. He's never bit anyone and I don't really think he would, but he growls, jumps around, and makes himself impossible to handle. If I could have held him it might have gone somewhat better but it still wouldn't have been easy. Even with a muzzle on they were only able to jab him with two vaccines, a blood draw was impossible.

Romeo isn't unique in this problem. Our Trooper would have been challenging to treat under these circumstances. Vince was virtually impossible and had to be sedated. Arby would certainly require a muzzle. He's such a beautiful dog and people naturally want to touch and pet him. He'd prefer they just look but not touch. Again, we had similar problems with Trooper when he was a foster. He didn't like people looking directly at him. He still doesn't unless you are me or Clay. Trooper's response was very aggressive, Romeo's isn't nearly as extreme, but it is still problematic and I can't say with any certainty that it will ever be completely resolved.

The growth is partly hidden by the crate but
it's on the right side of her forehead and it's
been getting larger.

But he's got the rabies and parvo vaccines now at least, and we have a game plan for next Tuesday's neuter appointment. I'll give him Trazadone the night before and then the morning of the surgery. Instead of an early drop-off, I'll bring him in just before the surgery, he'll get another shot of happy juice and then go directly to surgery. They will draw blood for the heartworm test while he's under.

My sister Paula made and sent masks.

That will get the dog neutered, but he's probably always going to be a difficult dog to vet. Although he's becoming quicker to accept new people, it's doubtful that he'll make a complete change of personality. I still think he's adoptable, but the adopters will have to be a good fit for the dog.

Maya went along so the vet could see that growth on her forehead; it's been getting larger and I want it off. She's on the schedule to have it removed the same day as Romeo's neuter. When he got home Romeo zonked out in a crate to sleep off the stress of the day. I took the Danish girls out for a four mile hike in the evening.

Trazodone for the next appointment