Yesterday, we took the dogs to the vet for their yearly exam, shots, and teeth cleaning.
Things went well, and Shiba Sephy was behaving much better than he usually does. There was no whining, and he was very calm around people and in the vet examination room.
Our vet told us that February is Pet Dental Health month,
so they took $20 off our teeth cleaning bill.
Apparently, pet hospitals and vet clinics all over the country participate in this event, so now might be a good time to consider teeth cleaning for your best pal. If your vet does not offer this, tell them about it, and maybe they will decide to participate as well.
Like people, different dogs can be more or less susceptible towards tartar buildup on their teeth. Husky Shania did not need a cleaning this year, and she did not need one last year either. However, Shiba Sephy has needed one every year.
I clean both dogs’ teeth in the same way and with the same frequency (3 times a week) so it is interesting that Sephy collects so much more tartar. Both dogs also get a Greenie every night to help with cleaning their teeth.
I hate going to the doctor, and I can’t say I very much enjoy going to the vet either, but this visit had gone pretty well, so maybe they aren’t so bad after all.
The next morning … after Shania went out to potty and play, she came back in and her whole face was swollen. YIKES! She couldn’t even open her eyes fully.
Guess the vet Gods weren’t letting us off easy this time either.
We rushed her to the vet clinic and she got a Benadryl shot as well as a steroid shot to help with the allergic reaction.
According to the vet, this could have been a result of her vaccine shots but it also could be from a bee bite or spider bite.
Total bill for both days = approximately $700 US.
I don’t know about spiders, but I am definitely allergic to the vet; so is my wallet! But still, it is a necessary thing to keep our furry companions healthy, happy, and living a long and wonderful life. If you are thinking of getting a dog, make sure to put some money aside every month for vet bills and possible emergencies.
If you have any vet stories – please share them with us below. All stories are welcome whether they are funny strange, funny haha, or just plain bleh. I am always interested in hearing about people’s experiences at the vet.
Hi, I came across your website and finally met a pet owner who has both a Shiba Inu and Siberian Husky! 🙂 Well my boyfriend got “Hachi” a mini Shiba Inu puppy and he loves to get attention everywhere we go. My dog “Angelo” I’ve had him since I was a teenager in high school. He is still energetic and loves the magic word “WALK” or “EAT” but I introduced my Shiba pup when I went back home to visit. Hachi likes to play rough and gets jealous when Angelo sits next to me. I’m trying to housebreak Hachi because he will only poop on the 2nd floor of my townhouse, but for some reason he doesn’t do that at my home in Chicago when I went to visit my parents. He’s been really good doing his business outside to pee, but we’re working on getting him to not bite so hard. I noticed Hachi gets upset when we ignore him for a split second that he scampers around the house or barks at us then jumps up to get our attention. What I’m more concerned about is why does our Shiba Inu keep scratching? We used hot spot treatments, anti-itching sprays, and even oatmeal shampoo with conditioner to see if it will relieve his itching spree. My Siberian Husky has so much energy that it will literally tucker Hachi out when they play in the backyard. Hachi is well behaved in the vehicle when traveling; while Angelo cries or whines non-stop during the ride. I wanted to ask for your advice on how to properly train a Shiba Inu puppy. He hates being confined behind a doggy fence or crate training. What type of treats do Shibas like to eat for training?
There could be many reasons for unusual or persistent scratching. Here are some common reasons for dog itching and scratching.
Is there any hair loss? Is the scratching only in a particular area or all over? A vet can probably provide the best diagnosis.
Here are some of my experiences with training Sephy. I had a difficult time with him in the beginning, but he is now a little teddy bear. Well, maybe not exactly a teddy bear, but much closer to teddy than terror. 😀 I learned a lot from him.
http://shibashake.com/shiba-inu-tips-information-care
Congratulations on your Shiba puppy and big hugs to your furry gang!