Veterinary visits – minimizing stress

It is extremely common for dogs to find going to the veterinary practice stressful – they may show signs of distress as they approach the surgery and their behavior may change as they go into the waiting and examination rooms. Pets who quietly withdraw may not be recognized as being terrified so it is important to recognize the signs of stress and learn how to make the visit to the veterinary practice as enjoyable as possible.

©Karen Overall

Every step of going to the veterinarian can cause fear for your pet. From being put in a carrier or crate, to entering the veterinary practice, moving from waiting room to examination room, being weighed to being examined, pets can find every stage stressful.

Owners usually recognize that their dog does not like to go to the veterinarian but the physical and behavioral signs of stress, distress and anxiety may be ignored because they are considered ‘normal’.

While most people recognize shaking or trembling as signs of anxiety and distress, they might not recognize the following signs:

• Social withdrawal with or without complete freezing
• Physical freezing and rigidity
• Salivation and/or clear nasal discharge
• Shaking/tremor
• Increased shedding of hair/exfoliation of dry skin
• Avoidance of stimulus that triggers response, eg metal table, flooring that isn’t non-slip
• Vocalization, eg whining, barking, growling, whimpering
• Dilated pupils
• Trying to escape
• Grabbing with mouth or paws
• Yawning/licking lips
• Scratching
• Chewing through restraint, eg leads
• Hiding, crouching, low body posture
• Tucking tail
• Panting, fast heart rate and breathing, hyperthermia
• Increased or decreased pain sensitivity
• Increased or decreased reactivity to touch or approach
• Exacerbation of any cardiac, respiratory or skeletal condition

Small dogs may be transported in carriers and should be trained to be comfortable using them. The vast majority of dogs can be taken to the veterinary surgery on a lead, either with a head collar or harness. If flat buckle collars only are used, care should be taken that the dog cannot back out of it. The dog should be able to walk calmly on harnesses, head collars or flat buckle collars – if not, ask your veterinarian for advice and possible referral to a specialist. Choke collars, prong collars, and shock/e-collars should not be used! If dogs are transported in crates, they should also be able to walk on a lead well.

If the dog balks either getting into the car, in the car park or when approaching the building, try encouraging them to go inside using treats, toys and verbal rewards. If at any point, they refuse to go any further, consider whether it is a good idea to carry on. Your veterinarian may consider giving your dog some medication and allowing your dog to wait in a quiet corner of the waiting room or examination room if they can get there without force. If your dog is calm in the car but not in the waiting room, your dog can wait in the car until the veterinarian is ready (staff can text or phone to tell you when the examination room is available).

Dogs can be taught to walk onto and stand on weighing scales. You can start at home by teaching your dog to ‘go to your mat’. If puppies are taught early to get on the scale by making it a fun game, you will have fewer problems.

Talk to the veterinary healthcare team about your pet’s needs so that his or her appointment can be as low stress as possible. It may be helpful to ask to be moved to a room immediately upon your arrival or to wait in the car. In addition, make sure to bring your pet’s favourite treats, bed and toys.

Fear worsens without proper treatment as dog’s age so early appointments should involve treats, play, massage and lots of fun activities before anything medical is attempted, eg examinations and vaccinations. Puppy visits should therefore be longer and the pets should be allowed to interact with the staff and explore the surgery. On-site puppy classes are excellent for this.

The veterinary practice should also try to keep the noise level low with use of acoustic tiles, cage doors, walls. Muttmuffs or ear plugs can be a good idea for hospitalized patients (www.safeandsoundpets.com). Non-harsh lighting should also be used. The use of Doggles (www.doggles.com), Thunder/calming caps (www.thundershirt.com), or eye shades can also be helpful. Proper acclimation to any gear to be worn by the dog should be done prior to use in the veterinary setting. 

It is also a good idea to put a T-shirt that you have worn into the cage if your pet has to be hospitalized.

Watch for any particular triggers of stress so that these can be addressed for future visits, eg if your dog doesn’t want to get onto the examination table, they might be able to sit on a yoga mat on the floor; if they slip on the table, the veterinarian should use a non-slip mat.

Further information

• Fear Free (online) How to Prepare Your Pet for a Veterinary Visit. Website: https://www.fearfreehappyhomes.com/video/how-to-prepare-your-pet-for-a-veterinary-visit/ (video). Additional tips on making the veterinary visit a pleasant one for your pet