Most of us have heard of the term “White Coat Syndrome.” Just being around doctors can cause an otherwise healthy person to have elevated blood pressure. It is probably not a surprise that this also occurs in our pets. We are asking our dogs and cats, who do not typically venture out, to ride in a car and enter a building that is full of strangers with multiple unknown scents and noises. And then, we ask them to stand still while they are poked and prodded. We are asking them to trust their veterinarian after only knowing them for a few minutes.
In a perfect world, our pets would understand the purpose of their visit and know that we just want to take care of them and make sure they are healthy. They would come away from their visit feeling happy and calm. Obviously, this is often not what happens. However, there are steps we can take to help minimize their stress and keep everyone safe and as happy as possible.
Reducing anxiety should start at home. Try to acclimate your pet to being touched and gently restrained. Pay special attention to their mouth, ears and paws. Always provide positive reinforcement (i.e., give them tasty treats and/or lots of praise). This way, when they need to stay still for their exam, vaccines, nail trims, etc., the experience will be somewhat familiar to them. Most veterinary staff can help demonstrate what this can look like for your pet. When coming into the clinic, it is best that they arrive with an appetite. This helps reduce the chances of car-sickness, and also allows the veterinary staff to use treats as positive reinforcement and distraction during their appointment. It is also important to keep pets safe and secure during transit. A proper harness or carrier in the car, as well as a leash or carrier in the hospital, will help avoid escape, which of course would add major stress to the visit. Cats like to be high up if possible, so try to keep their carriers on your lap or a nearby table/shelf while waiting for your pet’s appointment.
Since we cannot spend as much time as we’d like allowing our pets to acclimate to a veterinary setting, (and no matter how hard we try, some pets really panic), veterinarians will often recommend varying degrees of sedation. It has been known that severe stress can have lasting effects and cause immune dysfunction and make each subsequent visit more difficult. While some people worry about the effects of medication on their pets, it is often far safer to use those medications rather than have the pet stressed. If we can avoid or reduce the stress of veterinary office visits, it is safer and healthier for all involved. For some pets, a mild oral anti-anxiety medication given before the exam is sufficient. For others, it could be full sedation.
Our goal in veterinary medicine is to improve the health and well being of our pets, and to keep the bond we share with them strong. Entering an unfamiliar place can be frightening, and we want to try to make the experience as pleasant as possible. Discuss your pet’s level of comfort when visiting the veterinary office with your veterinarian. Together, you will create a plan to help your pet feel as comfortable as possible for every visit.