Vet Speak

vetspeak

Fear-free Practice

Going to the vets has always been seen as a stressful time for both pets and their owners, but this is something that we are working hard to change.

For pet, owner and vet there are many benefits from reducing the anxiety that often surrounds a visit to the clinic. How many cat owners out there bear the scars inflicted during the annual struggle to get their pet into the carrier for their shots? How many dog owners dread having to drag their dogs through the door?

And for us, less-stressed or -scared animals are easier (and in some cases safer) to examine and less likely to be hiding their symptoms behind an adrenalin surge – if I had a dollar for every time I have been told “Fluffy is making a liar of me, he/she looks fine now...” I could have retired long ago!

So; what can be done? For cats, pop into the clinic with your carrier and ask us to spray some Feliway (the happy cat pheromone) onto your carrier bedding before you put your cat into it. Once your cat is in the carrier, don’t swing it around; make sure that the carrier is propped into a flat and level position in the car and, once you reach the clinic, keep the carrier off the floor – cats feel more secure the higher they are. Carriers that allow us to examine the cat without having to pull them out through a narrow front door also help keep the peace.

Dogs are more easily “bribed” than cats, but still some dogs are too stressed to even touch the lollies we have for them. If you have a nervous dog, try skipping their meal just prior to their appointment. This has a couple of benefits – stomach churning anxiety on a full stomach is not a pleasant experience, regardless of your species – and also makes them more likely to fancy the treats being offered once the scary bit is over; helping to erase their fears.

For more information, pop in or give us a call and have a chat as we have many different tips and tricks up our sleeve.

Anna Day