Re: Stressed Dog and Vets
Queenie, I agree with both Meg and Muddy.
How do you feel about your vet?
Do you like then? Is it the sort of surgery you wouldn't want leave?
If you are not that happy there, I would do your research, ask around, then go elsewhere, as has already been suggested.
I am not saying it will work, but unless your vet is fantastic and you can't visualise leaving there, what have you got to lose, because it sounds like your poor dog has got such fixed ideas about the place, and his trust has gone.
I can see why he is best muzzled, but on the other hand, that only adds to his stress.
If you want to stay where you are though, all I can think of is ask them for a couple of ACP or some sort of suitable sedative to keep at home which you can administer before you take him next time.
You
don't want something to 'knock him out', but perhaps something mild just to calm and steady him a little if possible.
That's all I can think of I'm afraid.
Oh, one last thought - does he go out in the car with you for lots of other things, or only to go to the veterinary surgery?
I ask because if he only goes in the car to go to the vets, he is going to be afraid to travel soon, because he will associate the car with unpleasant, scary things happening to him at the other end.
Best of luck, it's very difficult when he has got himself in such a state about this.