Jackie has been with us three weeks! Yesterday I took her for her first appointment with our veterinarian Dr. J. Scott Mellina at Mellina Animal Hospital. He did an adoption exam and listened to her heart and lungs. Dr. Mellina prescribed her ongoing heartworm and flea and tick prevention. Since Jackie has been treated for heartworms recently, it is likely that she is still heartworm positive, so we will wait to do another occult heartworm test for another few months.
Due to concerns over covid and the new viral variants, Mellina Animal Hospital is continuing with their curbside service which I fully support and applaud. Dr. Mellina’s first comment (I stayed in the car and spoke with him over the phone from the parking lot) was what a nice dog Jackie is. He wants her to continue on Heartguard (ivermectin) due to probably still being heartworm positive.
When Dr. Mellina listened to Jackie’s heart and lungs, it sounded clear and healthy, with no indication of damage. Of course that was great news to my ear. Dr. Mellina took a radiograph of Jackie’s heart and lungs so we will have a baseline if anything changes in the future.
When Kristen, Dr. Mellina’s veterinary technician, came out to the car to take Jackie in to see the veterinarian, Jackie calmly and confidently trotted in with Kristen. After the appointment was over and Kristen returned Jackie to me in the parking lot at the car, Kristen reported that Jackie did great, wasn’t timid or scared at all, and received lots of pets and belly rubs from everyone. It was good that Jackie only got petted and examined; she did not have to have anything invasive like shots or blood tests which helped add to the positive experience her first time in her new vet’s office.
Since it was also Jackie’s first car ride with me, I had my treat pouch and was sure to reinforce Jackie for lying down quietly in the car. Jackie handled the whole ride, visit, and return home brilliantly, and it was a positive experience for her first visit with her new veterinarian.
As a little positive reinforcement of my own to the veterinarian staff, I brought Dr. Mellina’s office a goody bag of apples, a variety of chocolates, some mixed nuts, my favorite chocolate dipped cookies, and a card expressing my sincere gratitude. I am so grateful to the hardworking veterinarians and their staffs out there, keeping our animals healthy, caring for our family members, and adding value to lives every day.
- Another milestone: Jackie has been in our home three weeks!
- Jackie’s first veterinary visit went very well and was a positive experience
- Ongoing heartworm, flea and tick prevention were dispensed, and Dr. Mellina took a baseline radiograph of Jackie’s heart and lungs
- R+ works on people, too!
- Any time I have the opportunity to do so, I thank my veterinarians and their staff
