Jim Guntharp, DVM Gary Strickland, DVM Everett Rogers, DVM Erin Culpepper, DVM brought to you by 3231 E. Highland Drive TIPS ON FEAR-FREE HOSPITAL VISITS 26% of dog owners and 38% of cat owners say that just thinking about going to the veterinarian is stressful. As a result, many times necessary health care and treatment is often delayed or neglected. Dr. Everett Rogers and sights of a car ride. Also, the carrier should be securely carried to minimize movements while being carried Dogs should be taken on regular car rides to “petfriendly” destinations so that a car ride is not only associated with a visit to the hospital. Fear is the worst thing that a social species can experience. Fear in response to something disturbing or painful can condition the pet to experience more fear in response to repetition of those circumstances. Once a pet has been frightened, it never forgets the experience. Over the past few weeks we have been sharing actions that the staff of Jonesboro Family Pet Hospital is taking to remove or reduce the stress associated with visits to the hospital. This week’s article will share a few more The pet should not be fed prior to travel to the hospital. This reduces tips for Fear-Free Hospital Visits. the nausea which often accompanies a car ride and further eliminates a disturbing event for the pet. The Fear-Free veterinary visit must involve the pet owner. The owner should condition the pet to the carrier or restraint device and to car rides long before The staff is working to minimize the time spent in the waiting area upon the day of the veterinary visit. Cats and small dogs should be encouraged arrival at the hospital. As a pet owner, you can play a very vital role in this to use their carriers daily as a resting place so that the carrier is familiar and effort by making a scheduled appointment prior to your pet’s visit. This will comfortable. The carrier should not be gotten from the closet or storage aid the staff in getting you and your pet into an examining room as quickly room only when it is going to be used to transport the pet to the hospital. as possible. Also, if your pet is extremely fearful, the owner can check in The carrier should be covered with a towel to muffle the strange sounds alone and then return to the vehicle. The staff will notify and escort you and 870-932-7228 Mon & Fri • 7:00 am - 6:00 pm Wed • 7:00 am - 5:00 pm Tues & Thurs • 7:00 am - 8:00 pm Sat • 8:00 am - 5:00 pm your pet directly into the examination room as soon as possible. Our policy regarding seeing patients is: emergencies, scheduled appointments and then non-appointments. We strive to be as punctual as possible. However, emergencies arise during the course of a day and your patience is greatly appreciated when unexpected delays occur. Some pets are so psychologically damaged or fearful that they require an anxiolytic medication prior to leaving home. This should not be considered a last resort but as a tool to reduce the fear and stress on both the pet and the owner. Please contact the staff if you feel that this would aid in the implementation of your pet’s Fear-Free Visit. Many times a very fearful pet is able to be taught to tolerate procedures with time and effort. We have a person on our staff who is working with fearful pets and their owners to develop less stressful visits. The staff at Jonesboro Family Pet Hospital is dedicated to looking after your pet’s emotional well-being as well as its physical well-being. As a pet owner, you play a very vital role in achieving this goal. Please contact Jonesboro Family Pet Hospital or your veterinarian for further information on fear-free hospital visits
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