Making veterinary visits stress free can be just as important as the reason for the appointment. It can also be the deciding factor in whether or not services are able to be completed. As a veterinary technician, I’ve seen many patients have to leave with a prescribed mild sedative and an appointment to return at a later date.

Veterinary professionals utilize many techniques and tools to make visits as pleasant for your pets as possible.

• Pheromone diffusers and spray infused towels
• Options for drop-off or in-room appointments
• Separate rooms and wards for dogs and cats
• Fear Free training for all hospital team members
• Happy Visits
• A wide variety of treats for distraction and rewards
• Mild sedatives

Pheromones

These come in spray bottles and as plug-in diffusers.

Many hospitals spray towels or blankets with pheromone products like FeliWay, Adaptil, ThunderEase, or NaturVet. They cover carriers, line kennels, or cover table tops to make the visit less stressful. The material should “breath” for a moment prior to introducing it to a patient as the initial odor can be strong.

Similar but even more subtle is the use of plug-in diffusers. These continually release the calming pheromone into the air. You should unplug the diffuser when the hospital is closed or an exam room will be unused for a long period of time to prevent waste.

These sprays and diffusers are also available for in-home use and can help with thunderstorm anxiety, lowering stress when introducing new pets, or any other stress trigger.

Appointment Options

Some pets do better with their pet parents present while others are less on guard when away from their owners. Through the flexibility of in room appointments or drop-offs, veterinarians have found a means to accommodate all types of situations. Understanding how your pet behaves in different situations is integral to knowing what type of appointment works best for them. It is, thusly, important to be open to exploring these different approaches with your veterinarian. Once we discover the best approach for your pet, we note it in their medical record. This makes it easier for everyone when scheduling future appointments.

Many hospitals have exam rooms and kennel areas specifically designed for cats and dogs, respectively. These separate areas within the hospital allow for appropriate diffusers, sound control, windows, and even music to make your pet’s stay as soothing as possible. Not all of these techniques are utilized in every hospital but typically one or two is all that’s necessary.

Fear Free Training

Founded in 2016 by Dr. Marty Becker, the “Fear Free Initiative” is a certification program for Veterinarians, Veterinary Technicians, and Veterinary Hospitals. It teaches techniques in restraint, reading body language, and knowing when to “stop the line”, among other things, some of which I’ve mentioned in this article.

Many hospitals are Fear Free Certified Hospitals. This means that the majority of their staff have completed, or are actively working towards completion of, Dr. Becker’s program. It also means that the hospital almost strictly practices by the approach and standard expected of a Fear Free Certified Hospital, making veterinary visits stress free.

I will cover this in more in depth in a separate article. In the interim, feel free to explore the program in the quoted hyperlink in the first paragraph of this section.

Happy Visits and Treats

When your pet almost solely makes trips to the vet, or even outside of the house, for vaccinations, annual exams, or when sick, it creates a negative association with the vet in your pet’s mind. For this reason, I often recommend “Happy Visits” to pet parents. This is particularly beneficial for pet parents struggling with anxious pets.

If you have a day off, bring your pet in for a visit. Most veterinary practices won’t require an appointment for this. It is still a good practice to ask just to be certain that time is available. Do a weigh in at the front desk. Let your pet receive some treats – there’s always a bowl of treats back there somewhere. A nurse might even be able to take your pet for a walk to see the doctors and other nurses. No exam, no vaccines, no kennels, and, best of all, they get to leave and head home right after. With a belly full of snacks and positive reinforcement through loving scratches, who could complain?

This will start to teach your pet that not every visit to the vet is a negative or traumatic event.

Sedatives

This is often the last resort for most veterinary professionals. When every other approach to reduce your pet’s anxiety has been exhausted, your veterinarian might prescribe a mild sedative to go home. Acepromazine, Alprazolam, and Trazadone are three most commonly utilized.

Some pet parents will try to use Benadryl for mild sedation. While this can be effective in some dogs, others can actually feel more anxious. Sedation is not one of the primary purposes of Benadryl but is rather one of the side effects. It is best to consult your veterinarian when seeking a medication to administer for sedation.

If mild sedation doesn’t help, the final approach would be in-house sedation. Veterinarians reserve this for the most severe cases of “white coat syndrome.”

Working Together

Many of these items require a cooperative effort between the veterinary team and pet parent, while many are subtle and likely not even noticed by your pet. A few final reminders for pet parents:

1. If you utilize an invisible fence, make sure you are switching off or removing the collar before leaving for your pet’s appointment. I recall one pet that reacted negatively every time they came in. As it turned out, the pet was receiving a shock every time the client would pull out of the driveway to take their dog for an appointment.
2. If your pet reacts negatively while leashed, around other pets, or around other people, call ahead to alert veterinary staff members. This way a room can be prepared for your pet to move to immediately upon arrival. You can also call from the parking lot to make sure the lobby is clear of triggers prior to bringing your pet inside. Trust me, the team will appreciate this as well as your furry friend.
3. In the case that your pet needs to be muzzled and will not permit veterinary staff to apply one in-house, place one prior to arriving for your appointment. If you don’t own one, you can request a hospital supplied muzzle and to be placed in an exam room to apply it before the doctor or nurse enter the room.

Never hesitate to communicate with your veterinary team to make your visits as stress free as possible. Your pet’s appointment is about them and you. Ask the questions. What tools does your practice utilize to reduce pet stress? What can I do to make these visits smooth and uneventful? Your veterinarian and their technicians are happy to answer any questions you have. We’re here for you and your pet.