Yearly Visit to the Veterinarian

Today was Kodiak's yearly visit to our Veterinarian.

This afternoon we got ready, put his Halti and leash on, grabbed his stool sample and medical records and went to the car.

At the Vet's office, Bud went in first to let them know we were there, as the last time he was at the office the three or four small dogs that belong to the staff were running loose in the building and when they opened the door to allow us into the exam area, he was rushed by all of them at once. He slid on the floor and fell into the metal display shelves where he cleared the bottom of products. I didn't want a repeat of that incident, so they restrained the other dogs before we came in.

"Kodiak will be entering the building momentarily, please restrain his adoring fans!"

The first time we'd been to this office we saw "Dr. Dave", a very animated man who has a great attitude, but was a bit too 'enthusiastic' for Kodi. This time we were treated to "Dr. Stephanie", the wife of Dr. Dave.

Kodi's sample was clean. He received a quick once over. His teeth are looking good, she said we're doing great with brushing his teeth. His eyes look clear, his ears were clean. She gave a dew claw a quick trim for me, listened to his heart and told me he looked really good.

She gave him his distemper and Lyme Disease vaccines. This time he also got a Kennel cough vaccine as they told me there is a 'dog flu' that the kennel cough vaccine has been proven effective in preventing. We have to go back in 3 weeks to get the booster for the kennel cough. The Vet shared that a service dog should have kennel cough vaccine just to be sure they are fully protected.

When we saw Dr. Dave the last time, Kodi weighed about 54 lbs. I asked Dr. Dave at the time if that was something to be concerned about, as Kodi seems thin to me. He reassured me that there are leaner and lankier huskies, then there are stocky and heavier huskies and in his opinion Kodi is just a leaner dog, nothing to be concerned about.

Today he weighed approximately 54, 55 lbs. Dr. Stephanie said she was NOT concerned, but thinks he's a bit on the thin side, as his vertebrae are easily felt down his top-line. She said he's not seriously under weight, but she would like him to gain another pound or two to be ideal.

I explained that he's a very thrifty eater and very finicky about his food. She asked about the amount of exercise he gets so I explained that he was walking about 2 - 2 1/2 hours a day as well as playing in the backyard up to 2 hours a day, though his time outside has been limited by my power chair's inability to navigate in the snow and weather.

She believes that his metabolism is so high and he eats so little that he's literally burning off everything he's taking in. She laughed and reassured us that needing to put on a little weight is a rare situation with pets, that we should be thankful we don't have to take weight off, as that's a much more difficult process.

She gave us some ideas for higher calorie additions to his diet. She doesn't want to see us reduce his activity level as she reminded us he's still a very young dog and all dogs as they age tend to gain weight because not unlike their human companions, their metabolisms slow as does their activity and energy level.

She also noted that as a working dog, he will likely be more lean because he has a natural desire to be busy and active.

She provided us with two oral doses of a general worming formula, just to be sure he doesn't have an undetected parasite hitching a ride, but was pleased with his condition, health and care.

I can't emphasize how important it is to visit your Veterinarian for yearly physicals, maintain good communication with them so you are always supported in caring for your pet.

The Battle to Groom is WON!

Anyone familiar with Huskies knows that they are big 'shedders'! They shed all year round and experience two times a year when they 'blow their coat', Spring and Fall.

They have double coats, a fluffy under coat and a smoother outer coat. Having two coats provides them with insulation against cold climates where they've been bred to work. When they shed, the under coat can come out by the handfuls. It ends up EVERYWHERE!

When Kodi was a little puppy, he seemed to enjoy grooming. He would let me brush him a little every day. He cooperated with the clipping of his toenails, cleaning of his ears, bathing and brushing of his teeth.

While he still enjoys having his teeth brushed (peanut butter flavored tooth paste) and allows his ears to be cleaned, he's not so cooperative about the rest of the process.

As he's gotten older, undergone surgery to have his dew claws removed, been neutered, etc. he's become less comfortable with 'handling', especially around his hind quarters.

When we groom, it's a 'team effort'. My husband sits on the floor with me where he pets and massages Kodi while I brush. It's a long process because everyone is moving and wiggling and not necessarily on the same page.

Tonight, I sat on the floor with Kodi's slicker brush and shedding comb. He came right over to me and sat down between my legs. I hugged him, he leaned into me. I told him I needed him to lie down. He did, without resisting.

I started slowly brushing him, smoothing his fur with my other hand as I brushed. He lay still, allowing me to brush him without the distraction my husband usually provides. When I got to his hip he lifted his head up and looked at me, but I stroked his head and face and spoke to him until he put his head down and sighed heavily.

I finished one side of his body and allowed him to get up and take a break. As a reward for being such a good boy, we played for about ten minutes, tugging and playing catch with a ball. When he came back to me I told him I needed him to face the other direction and guided him with his collar. He turned and sat between my legs. Again, I hugged him and he gave me a kiss. I asked him to lay down and he did so immediately.

I was able to brush his whole other side from head to tail with his full cooperation. I was even able to take the shedding comb over the base of his tail and down its length.

When we were finished, he looked wonderful, though I know his Spring shed, blowing his coat, isn't over yet, in fact, it's just begun. That picture at the top of the blog is from a previous shed and only about a third of what we got off his coat tonight.

He has shown a great deal of maturity lately, being obedient, even in distracting situations. He's overcoming some of his fears and insecurities. We continue to work on obedience as well as assistance skills.

I couldn't be more proud of him!