Finding a path to ease troubled minds
Cedar is a shy and reserved dog, even at home with her people. As a breed, Corgis were originally bred to be cattle herders, and they are smart problem-solvers. With Cedar, this looks like deep thinking leading to a sense of worry.
Cedar is a city dog, and in the absence of a herd of cattle to manage, she uses her skills to keep the indoor cats out of perceived trouble. When required (according to a Corgi’s interpretation, that is), she and her fellow Corgi, Nell, can be found herding the cats into a semblance of control, much to the cats’ disdain.
As we can imagine, that level of thinking, problem solving and solution seeking can easily translate to worry and anxiety at a vet clinic.
Cedar has an ongoing health condition managed by routine health exams by her veterinarian, as well as diagnostic tests to check in on how her body systems are doing.
During her last visit to the clinic, Cedar became so anxious that the vet recommended they pause for the day and that her human, Dana, considered having a blood draw completed at home by reaching out to me. Dana did so and I had the pleasure of meeting Cedar, Nell, the herdable cats and two of Dana’s daughters, Chloe and Phoebe, as we convened at their home to see what Cedar would allow where she was calmer and more comfortable.
Blood draws for animals have some similarities to those for humans. Both require a lab requisition from a physician or vet and both go into a lab (or vet clinic) to have the sample taken. Then the physician or vet tells us the results.
Some clear differences are that we, as humans, know why we are being poked with a sharp needle, know that we need to sit still and not move our arm while blood is being drawn (and, of course, most humans will not need their “fur” clipped to expose skin for the procedure, thereby removing another stressor—the loud, scary-sounding clippers). Add in a Corgi mind that is prone to worrying and it is no wonder that Cedar feels stressed at the vet clinic, which makes blood draws a challenge despite how simple it may seem to humans.
When I arrived at Cedar’s house, I was met by a multi-species crew of calm, inquisitive individuals, and I set up my station of supplies while allowing the animals to get accustomed to me. Dana and her daughters were able to assist in setting Cedar up for success by getting her into a comfortable position for her blood to be taken.
While many veins can be used for a blood draw, often an anxious dog will better tolerate this procedure by using a vein located on a hind leg. Logistically, Cedar’s short Corgi legs needed to be taken into account as she is not tall enough to have her blood drawn while standing. Instead, we laid her on her side (for belly rubs), with 15-year-old Chloe helping to keep Cedar’s upper body still with gentle pats and soothing words while 12-year-old Phoebe fed Cedar yummy treats as a further distraction.
Dana followed my directions for gentle restraint to keep Cedar’s hind leg still. With Cedar enjoying the attention of her family, and with a fast final prep of the area, I completed the blood draw with Cedar none the wiser.
During my visit, Chloe and Phoebe expressed curiosity, specifically about animal care and veterinary medicine. Beyond their calm assistance with Cedar’s blood draw, and therefore her medical needs, I had the opportunity to answer questions from them one-on-one. This was a lot of fun in addition to being a helpful solution for this family.
Removing Cedar’s stress (which begins with a car ride and ends with stress at the vet clinic) helped to set her up for success. Her family’s ability to help Cedar in such a way allows them to manage her medical condition, ensuring her continued quality of life.
Once we finished the procedure, Cedar immediately went to help Nell herd the cats while I discussed timelines with Dana and what she should expect next from the vet clinic.
Knowing that the Corgis, with their short legs, would soon want to run around the yard, Phoebe went outside to dig further paths in the snow (as a kindness, so the dogs did not have to trail-break for themselves)—“Corgi-paths,” as they call them in that household. And on that laughable note, I took my leave to deliver Cedar’s blood sample to the vet clinic.
Author’s Note: Names of animals and people have been changed to protect privacy.
