Setting up for success: How to get the most out of your pet’s vet visit

Authored by Dr. Sarah Wolff, BVM&S

I took my three-year-old son to the dentist today and was amazed at the difference in his experience versus my own. He started cheering when we pulled into the parking lot, ran down the hall and jumped into the “spaceship chair”, ready to have the dentist “tickle his teeth”.

Compare this to how I anticipate dental cleanings: two days of poor sleep and nightmares beforehand, full-body sweats as I walk in, then “white-knuckling” the arms of the chair the entire appointment. I only go every few years because the whole experience is so difficult.

What’s the difference? Both of us have kind, gentle dentists and healthy teeth. It’s not us, and it’s not the dentist. It’s the experience of going to the dentist. He is growing up having low stress dental experiences, whereas I grew up with traditional no-nonsense dental care.

My own minor anxieties around dental care were left unchecked until my fear became a filter, coloring the entire experience in a negative light, and leading to a full-blown dentist phobia.

Why am I bringing you on a journey through my own dental anxiety? Because it is incredibly similar to the experience our pets can have of veterinary care.

Even routine handling and care can generate tiny amounts of stress and fear that build on each other over time, making objectively minor experiences into nightmares for pets.

Luckily, there’s a better way. In the same way my son thinks the dentist is a magical adventure, we can help our pets see veterinary care as a fun experience from start to finish. Drs. Jankunas and Frederick purchased Companion Pet Hospital with that exact goal in mind: to bring positive veterinary experiences to pets and their families in the Hudson Valley.

The key to success is making sure we provide a low stress experience each time your pet comes to see us. For some pets this means tons of yummy treats (we keep many options on hand in order to please even the most discerning palate). For others, it means medication to prevent motion sickness during the car ride over.

For many pets, a low stress experience means taking a dose of anti anxiety medications before their visit. Taking the edge off allows them to relax and notice all of the enjoyable parts of their time in our office — petting, cuddles, treats, and toys — so they don’t experience the snowball effects of anxiety over time.

This low stress approach also allows better care during their visits. Calm pets can receive more thorough physical exams, enjoy yummy distractions while blood draws are performed, and get needed ear cleanings and nail trims without pain. When they get home, there’s no blaming you for orchestrating the outing in the first place, and no fear hangovers around handling or grooming.

Our own Dr. Hope Jankunas was recently featured on the podcast Your Vet Wants You To Know, discussing just how these pre-visit medications can be used in a safe way to dramatically improve the care our pets receive.

The episode can be heard at the link below and covers everything from how low stress veterinary care improves your bond with your pet at home, to what medications can be used, and what side effects may be experienced. As always, the entire team at Companion Pet Hospital is here to help you and your pet experience veterinary care at its best. If you have questions about how we can improve your pet’s next visit, please reach out.