Tips to Improve Vet Visits
For years we had a home visiting vet whom all of our senior adopted dogs were happy to see and vet visits were a breeze. Then our crew changed, medical needs changed, and vet visits were not a breeze. Here are some tips if you happen to fall into the 2nd camp.
Tip #1: Go on happy (non-procedure) visits
A great way to desensitize your dog to the vet is to take them on a visit where they only get the best treats, prance through the lobby, maybe visit an empty room where there are even more amazing treats and then leave. A major key to making it a happy visit is your ability to observe and understand your dog’s body language which is how they communicate whether they are in fact having a happy visit or starting to get a bit stressed or worse and what we don’t want to let happen, getting more stressed. I’ll put in yet another plug if you don’t already have it, get Doggie Language by Lili Chin and become a better communicator with your pooch. Learn to observe your dog closely for subtle signs of anxiety like yawning, licking, raising a front paw or looking away.
Tip #2: Be your pooch’s advocate
Here are a few things to consider:
If needed, ask ahead of time about whether there is an alternative entrance to get to the exam room
When you arrive leave your dog in the car and go in to check in and find out when they are ready to then go get your dog and go directly into a room vs wait in the lobby if that’s going to cause worry for your pooch
If vet staff want to take your dog “to the back” and especially if your dog has separation anxiety, ask to go back with them or whether the procedure can be done in the exam room to avoid separation
If your dog is stressed, review what things the vet wants to do and which things must be done that visit, whether any can wait to not add more distress, and/or plan to come back after you’ve rec’d some pre-visit anti-anxiety type meds from your vet to try to reduce stress on the next visit
Tip #3: Practice at home
Introduce a mat (or section of yoga mat that’s non-slippery) that you will use for husbandry processes, i.e. not just practice for things that might happen at the vet, but things like nail trims, brushing, ear cleaning, getting eye drops. Bring the mat with you to the visit. Get your dog used to being handled, you can get a play stethoscope or gerry rig something to mimic when the vet listens to their heart usually just behind their shoulder/arm-pit area. There is a lot more that can go here which I’ll cover in another post, but the key thing to keep in mind is giving your dog agency in their care, i.e. never force your dog to accept touch or handling—always allow them to walk away if they are uncomfortable or unwilling to participate. This includes not literally dragging them in for their appointment (go back to Tip #1 practice).
Tip #4: A muzzle means fun
At some point in your dog’s life, they may experience pain or injury which may make them communicate with an air snap or maybe a bite; or vet staff may be concerned that a procedure they need to perform will result in your dog being bitey. This is why I recommend all dogs be desensitized to wearing a basket muzzle in advance of that situation. It sucks to be in a situation when a dog is forced to have a muzzle slapped on in the midst of an emergency so working on this issue in advance helps a ton. More on this topic later too.
Tip #5: Pre-visit meds can be a support
If your pooch has big feelings going to the vet, then talk with your vet about pre-visit medications; these can go a long way toward alleviating the stress dogs (or cats) experience.
My last comment isn’t a tip per se, but high value treats are not only for happy visits. See Kao always got doggie ice cream at the vet and I never leave home without my travel tube of cream cheese for Boon’s visits. Think about what your dog might enjoy.
Cheers, Tracy
