[Lara's mom]

I've been using Revolution on both of my girls for flea, parasite and heartworm prevention. Bailey doesn't mind it at all. However, Lara runs away as soon as I pull out the vial of medicine...Could it possibly be burning her skin? I don't see anything after I've applied it.

[MrAndrew]

I don't think so. Is the area where it gets applied red, puppy or discolored? A vet would have a better more accurate answer but it's my believe she just doesn't like the process of getting the medicine applied to her body. There are oral flea/worm medicines on the market also.

[Lara's mom]

The area where I apply it (the back if her neck) has never become red or appeared inflamed. It just seems odd to me that one dog doesn't even take notice of the medicine being applied while the other one runs and hides and then squirms as if the stuff is hurting her. Lara is a very small dog (14 pounds) so, the vial only contains a tiny amount of the stuff.
Their vet wants them on this particular brand.

[MrAndrew]

Here's what you can do to figure out if the 'acting out' is caused by pain, fear or general anxiety. Simply pretend to apply medicine to the dog, don't use the actual medicine but use an object of similar size and follow the same procedure you use now when giving the medicine... I have a hunch your dog will react the same way, as if it were actually medicine.

Let us know what happens.

[Lara's mom]

OMG!!! You're right! I pretended to use the one remaining vial of Revolution and she STILL hid and then squirmed as if she was being tortured!!! That little sneak has been "playing possum!!!" Now I know that she's acting up for no good reason. Thanks!!!

[bandcsaletta]

Originally Posted by MrAndrew

Here's what you can do to figure out if the 'acting out' is caused by pain, fear or general anxiety. Simply pretend to apply medicine to the dog, don't use the actual medicine but use an object of similar size and follow the same procedure you use now when giving the medicine... I have a hunch your dog will react the same way, as if it were actually medicine.

Let us know what happens.

that was great advice - so sneaky and clever- I will remember this advice- I bet it could even work on my kids

[Lara's mom]

It was a stroke of genius! It reminds me of when Bailey cut her paw on the ice a few winters ago. We went to the vet, got it cleaned and bandaged. For weeks afterward, whenever she didn't get her way, she would hold up her foot to remind me of her suffering...I fell for it until I noticed that sometimes she forgot and held up the wrong foot!!!

[MrAndrew]

Glad to help you figure out the cause of her reactions

Dogs can be really sneaky and manipulative

[Lara's mom]

My Lara wrote the book on sneaky!!!