BY BRYONY VAN NIEKERK
Top Tips
for aStress-free Vet Visit
Going to the vet is no fun for anyone. It is as if your pets can sense what is about to happen, and chaos ensues - wrestling your dog into the car, trying to coax your cat from under the bed and then the real interesting part; trying to get them into the carrier. All these raises both your and your pet’s stress levels, and you haven’t even made it to the vet yet. Recently I had to take Oliver to the vet to get the stitches removed after his sterilization. What should have been a quick and easy visit, turned into an hour long wait, that resulted in a very anxious puppy. Oliver already doesn’t like going in the car, so before we even got to the vet he was not in a good frame of mind. Pair that with the long waiting time, it wasn’t surprising that Oliver, who doesn’t have a mean bone in his body, acted aggressively towards the vet. Thankfully, I have the best vet and he recognized and respected that Oliver needed a moment. He sang to him, gave him some tasty biltong treats and let him walk around the examination room. After a few minutes, Oliver was calm enough to allow the vet to handle him without any incidents.
All vet visits don’t have to go down this way, though. There has been a major shift towards low-stress veterinary care. So, if you, like me, are struggling, read on to see what small changes you can make to have a massive difference on your pets next visit to the vet. As for your own stress levels, I don’t really have any good advice. If it wasn’t completely reckless and illegal, I would down a large glass of wine before each visit. On a serious note, the calmer you are, the more at ease your pet will become. So, if you haven’t mastered the art of Zen yet, fake it till you make it!
14
JANUARY 2022 | PETPRINTS
