Blood Tests?

[BabyElephant]

Poppy has to have some blood tests to check that the rabies vaccination has "protected" her (I can't think of the proper wording for this). They will have to shave the area where they take the blood from - some vets will shave the leg, some the neck area - so I've been told.

My question is this - have other people had this done and how did your dog react to the sound of the razer (I'm assuming they'll use an electric one)? Also, how do they find a vain - when they do it on us humans they use an elastic strap to make the vain stand out but how do they manage it with dogs?

I just don't know what to expect so any experiences would be greatly appreciated!

[GretaJack]

I have never even heard of this. I never even thought it was an issue. That tells you how much I know!

I have shaved my dogs before, My old stud, Moby, always got a nasty skin infection after hunting season so I would shave him down so I could treat. He never seemed to care at all and it was right on his neck. I don't think Poppy should be too bothered by it.

I am interested to know why your vets practice this with rabies. Any info you have would be great.

[BabyElephant]

We don't have to vaccinate against rabies in the UK. But if we want to take our dogs (or cats or ferrets) on holiday with us to certain EU countries then we have to have a PETS passport if we want our dog to come back in to the country without having to spend 6 months in quarantine. The order is this:

Have dog microchipped > have rabies vaccination (dog must be at least 3 months old) > have blood test 30 days after having rabies vaccination > if blood test is OK then passport is issued and dog can travel back in to UK 6 months after having a successful blood test. As well as all this the dog has to be treated for ticks and works 24 - 48 hours before checking in to travel back to UK. If all this is done then no quarantine required!

It's quite a lengthy process to get the passport but once you have it, as long as you keep the rabies boosters up to date you don't have to go through the blood tests again. It's because the authorities are scared to death of getting rabies in to the UK - we haven't had a dog with rabies for decades.

[GretaJack]

Gottcha. I am just wondering since we haven't had too much of an issue with Rabies until recently. But about a month ago a 15 year old girl where I live contracted rabies from a bat. The bat was flying around in a church during mass and hit the choir balcony so this girl picked it up and took it outside. She was either scratched or bit (not sure) and contracted rabies. She is at the children's hospital in Milwaukee I think. Still alive but not expected to make it.

Gives me something to think about since I know that I had bats living in my barn. Just wondering what would happen it my dog caught one and it got bit, even though they are vaccinated.

Thanks for the information. It is good to know.

[BabyElephant]

The rabies that bats get is a different type (bat lyssaviruses) to what dogs get (classic rabies) - but I don't know if that means they can't contract the disease from one another. The bat strain can obviously be contracted to humans and we did have somebody die in Scotland a few years ago (he was a bat handler) - that is the only time we have had anything like that since the 1920s. He died from the rabies because he wasn't vaccinated despite recommendations to do so.

In the UK all bats are protected species so we aren't supposed to touch them anyway. It doesn't sound too good for the girl, I hope she makes it.

Some dogs don't get proper protection from one vaccination that's why the blood test is necessary. If yours have had more than one then I suspect that they would be OK.

Thanks for the info on the shaving - I'll let you know how I get on.

[Dax]

My dogs have been shaved by the vet lots. Never had any problem. It’s usually so fast and they are being restrained. Dax even had the top of her head shaved – she looked miserable before, after and during but nothing more serious than hurt pride.

[HeartSong]

To make the vein stand out, if it's on the leg, a vet assistant will squeeze and hold the leg in such a way to make the vein stand out. If it's from the neck, the front legs will be held down over the side of the table and the head held up and at an angle. I've had to hold dogs in both positions, but we didn't shave the dogs, just wet down their fur with alcohol. I guess it's more sterile if they shave it.

[Lessica Jake]

The only place Bailey doesn't like the shaver is her ears. I believe they use the same one as I use to clip her only without the guard things. She pretty much just curls up and revels in the attention. I should have had Hubby take a photo of the last time, she was draped across my legs sleeping while I was clipping her.

I wouldn't worry too much about it.

[SouthPaw]

Basil had his neck shaved for his blood test and the worst thing about it to me is waiting for his hair to grow back plus in all the areas he lost hair with his condition. He is starting to look better and is on skin/hair vitamins.
Don't worry about the shaving, Baby. Poppy will take it in stride.

[Moo]

They shave some patches off of Kirby for anesthesia... (Dental, Neuter)... and even sometimes for just the vaccs. His leg is prickly and has a big tuft hanging over and looks a little funny after. He couldn't care less, he loves noises. How does Poppy react to other noises?