What are the signs of fear in the dog and how can you support four -legged friends before and in the veterinary practice? Zoetis explains.
Berlin. In everyday life, dogs are often faced with situations that trigger stress or even fear. Basically, fear and uncertainties are individual and a variety of factors such as socialization, trauma, but also feeding or pain play a role. At the latest as soon as the fear gains upper hand and important occasions, such as a visit to the veterinary practice, are no longer perceptible, dog owners should deal with the topic. It is not only important in emergencies that dogs can be treated by veterinarians, but also for precaution or for necessary, individual pain therapies. For example, for dogs suffering from osteoarthritis, regular visits in practice are essential to relieve pain effectively and in the long term.
Incidentally, fear in practice is not uncommon: Studies show that over 75 percent of all dogs behave anxiously in a veterinary practice (*1). Zoetis expert Kristina Lagerwei, veterinary specialist and dog trainer, explains in Zoetis Q&A, what is important for fear and how to make visits to the vet in the future more pleasantly for all two and above all four-legged friends.
When should you go to the vet with the dogs?
Apart from an acute emergency, regular visits are in practice (Check-ups) Important in order to recognize diseases early and to be able to treat properly. For example, osteoarthritis, chronic, progressive joint disease, occurs at around 40 percent (*2–4) all dogs open in the course of their lives. This zoetis checklist helps to identify signs early, in order to then visit the veterinary practice if you suspect osteoarthritis. Because there are now well-tolerated and innovative therapy options to relieve arthrosis-related pain effectively and in the long term.
Why are some dogs afraid of the vet?
Fear in itself is not a bad thing: “Proper fears are evolutionary biologically innate and vital protection instincts,” emphasizes Kristina Lagerwei. Before visiting a veterinarian, one should therefore think about the origin of fear: “Most think: 'Perhaps the animal has been hurt'. Excessive behavior react, ”explains Kristina Lagerwei.
How should you deal with fear when visiting the practice?
What should be avoided so that fear does not increase?
When visiting the practice, you should keep in mind that there is no “patent recipe” for dealing with fear. However, the following four tips can help reduce fear:
Before visiting practice
A visit to the vet can be simulated in advance: “Already in the puppy age or if an animal moves in, for me in every training session also belongs to training. This means that you can look at your teeth, eyes, ears, paws, simply every part of the dog- without compulsory measure! Technical concept, ”explains Kristina. She also emphasizes:
“It is much easier for animals when an action is linked to a signal. This knows how the dog knows what will happen next or what it should do.”
During the medical training, dog owners should consider that it is based on trust: “You cannot demand trust to the same extent when it comes to strangers such as the veterinarian, because our animals have a similar way like us,” emphasizes Kristina. You can also include the practice in the training before the appointment: “After consultation with the practice, you can only pick up for the treat or sit in the waiting room for five minutes. Many practices already offer something like this and if not, please ask for it. Sometimes a change of veterinarian makes sense to start there as well: nothing or just something like cookies are looking for in the waiting room.”
During the practical visit
In the waiting room: “Unfortunately, I have repeatedly seen animals in the waiting room, probably on my own uncertainty. For us humans, this falls under self -calming, but for the dog it is the opposite. He is looking for a signal in every sentence with which he can do something, but mostly finds none,” explains Kristina.
Do not let the dog to other animals
“An otherwise socially acceptable dog can react very differently in the veterinary practice and, if necessary, the contact in the waiting room on both sides on both sides leads to a sustainably poorly linked situation, because the anxious dog behaves defensively aggressively. In the worst case, this experience is so extreme for both dogs that the uncertainty/fear is strengthened or even triggered,” explains Kristina.
In the treatment room: Easier said than done: “You will not work yourself cool and relaxed yourself, because if you are excited, you are excited. Our highly sensitive dogs take the increased heartbeat or a changed sweat composition and often reflect this. Sometimes it helps to send another person familiar to the animal to the veterinarian,” advises Kristina.
“Basically, you should get notes on illness courses, symptoms, behavioral problems or questions so that the appointment is made as quickly and smoothly as possible.”
After visiting the practice, before visiting the practice
“You should make sure not to develop unconscious rituals before visiting a practice at home: to get the folder with the animal history of the animal only then. Our dogs are incredible observers and will quickly understand what this means. Uncertainty or fear is already building up beforehand,” recommends Kristina.
Sources
1: Riemer, S., Heritier, C., Windschnurer, I., Pratsch, L., Arhanhant, C., Affenzeller, N.: (2021). “A review on Mitigating Fear and aggression in Dogs and Cats in A Veterinary Setting.”, Animals 11 (1), 158
2: Wright A., et al., JSAP 2022 1-10
3: IHS Markit and Stonehaven Consulting: Canine and Feline Pain Market Animal Health Market Analysis, 2021
4: Enomoto M., et al. Sci Rep. 2024 Feb 3; 14 (1)