Video of injured dog learning to trust the doctor is incredibly moving: 'What a sweet baby'

Editor's note: This article was originally published on July 24, 2023. It has since been updated.

You can find an animal doctor anywhere but the way one treats your pet and builds a relationship with them is what really makes them stand out. A veterinarian, named Dr Thomas Hamilton, shared his conversation with one of his patients in a TikTok video and the way the dog co-operated with him is so adorable that it has won many hearts on the internet. Hamilton can be seen holding one of the paws of a labrador and asking her, "Oh, is that the foot that hurts? Is it this one?" The owner from the background tells the doctor that it is the other one. So, he asks the dog, "Can I have that one?" She again gives him the same paw. 

Then, the doctor moves closer to the dog, pets her, and says, "I'm trying to help you, Ok?" Again, he asks the pet if he can look at her other leg, allowing her to smell his hands. "See it's not bad," says Hamilton. "Hey, good job." The animal again gives him the same leg, so, the doctor holds it and responds, "Moral support here, ok? Walk me through this. You hurt your dewclaw yesterday?" asks the vet. Then, the doctor slowly picks up her other leg and asks, "Can I see your paw?" and carefully looks at it. "We broke the nail here. I mean, just kind of maybe layered a little bit. I'm just going to manipulate here, see if that's ouchy, OK?" Hamilton tells her. 

The vet then slowly presses her paw and asks, "You hurt this one? No ok. Usually, if they did a break I'll be touching it, and they'll just pull around, you know? You caught on something?" The owner responds to the doctor, "My wife doesn't know. She looked down and she was limping on it. And then she wouldn't walk any further." Hamilton says while holding one of the dog's toes, "What I recommend is I think you dodged a bullet here, right? And I think it's still attached very well. Could you just give it a little trim? Yes, very good."

The video gained about 6.1 million views and 499k likes. The doctor captioned it, "This patient wanted to cooperate. Our dewclaw got caught on something and resulted in acute lameness that appears to be getting better. The patient was not licking at the nail and the nail was not fractured. Some rest and non-steroidal and we were on our way!"

People were impressed with the dog's cooperation. @Illanabrooks wrote, "'Actually it’s the other one' the drama! What a good boy!" @emmaehrgeiz commented, "The pupper was like 'I’m scared, but I can trust you, right?'” @melanie1961 said, "You definitely answered your calling to be a veterinarian your so awesome and caring. Great job, Doc!" @jandalziel11 expressed, "Awww my heart. What a wee cutie. What a great boy giving up his paws to get checked. Hope he’s better soon." @charleebooboo shared, "As a vet nurse, I wish I could work with you and give this level of care and time to every patient. We are far too rushed with our consults."