We have separate dog and cat waiting areas with a calm atmosphere and pheromones (Adaptil and Feliway) to help keep patients at ease.
We do not have a TV or music but calm environmental sounds, such as birdsong, while you wait for your appointment.
The cat waiting area has blankets to cover your carrier, pre-sprayed with cat pheromones while you wait. We recommend use of this at home, and leaving the carrier out for a minimum of a few days before a visit for cats to become familiar with it.
Habituation visits to the clinic can help familiarise your dog with our practice. Calm, short visits to explore the environment and meet the team can help reduce the stress of a vet visit. We will note on the file any tips gathered to help next time, and any gains made in the visits.
Don’t forget that there is much more involved to build confidence including a good nights sleep, a calm trip in a familiar mode of transport and sometimes medication to support anxiety, fear or pain. If we need to use some medication, a note will be made of the response, whether successful or not, and a change to the drug or dose to help at the next appointment, if not.
Fearful dogs need a collaborative approach to settling into a relaxed lifestyle. We recommend working with a trainer or behaviourist, qualified with the ABTC behaviourist, to help with vet visits, the lead up to the appointment and their behaviour at other times. Medication is not the answer, but can be part of it.