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Dr. Sally J Foote CFBC-IAABC
Okaw Veterinary Clinic
140 W Sale Street
Tuscola II 217-253-3221
This month articles and videos

Greetings! 

 

In this newsletter I am touching on  how our pets see some our common instruments, like a stethescope, as a trigger for fear.  It may not make sense at first but read on and hopefully you will become more aware of how pets associate fear with the tools of the veterinary trade. 

 

I have also posted some new videos on my you tube channel DrSallyJFoote  featuring a nervous dog for exam, and 2 lunging dogs in the waiting area.  I hope these give you help in your day to day work or with your own pets.   

 

leeza with cat on scale
scales can be scary

I am also available  to speak to veterinary, technician, trainers and any other animal professionals about behavior and reducing aggression during care.  I have presented to the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association, American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, as well as numerous webinar presentations. It is time to end the culture of fear in pets at the veterinary clinic.  It is possible, and does not have to take a lot of time.   

email me at [email protected] or call 217-253-3221  to find out more.  

 

Dr. Sally J Foote CABC-IAABC

 

ginger and shot
Instruments of Terror

Last week as I was offering  baby food that an anorexic cat was just starting to lick off the spoon,  my tech laid the ear thermometer next to me so I could check his temp.  The cat took one  look at the thermometer, stopped eating, turned away and crept to the back of the cage as I stayed motionless with the baby food.  I asked her to remove the thermometer, and when she did, the cat came right back up to me eating the baby food. 

So what was happening here?  The thermometer was an anxiety trigger to this cat.  That one item - an ear thermometer- was enough to shut this cat down.  How often have you had a happy dog suddenly snarl and become agitated  just before an injection is given?  Very likely this dog saw the syringe and that triggered the aggression.  That dog remembered the pain and irritation that the syringe injection gave.

 When I present to veterinarians and technicians, some  of the audience acknowledge the trigger effect of our equipment.  They too have had an episode like the one I had with the cat.  Others cannot believe that something so innocuous as a thermometer could set off that much anxiety.  These instruments are triggers.  They are items, or settings that predict for the pet what is coming next which may be unpleasant so the pet begins to stress. These are some of the most common triggers that I see ( and my face book friend have added!)

 

                Stainless steel topped tables       small room syndrome - exam rooms 

               syringe and needle attached       white coat/smock/scrubs  

               thermometers                              otoscope

               Stethoscope                      nail trimmers          electric trimmers

             

Here is the challenge.- how do we perform our work, needing to use these instruments and avoid setting off  aggression and anxiety?   Here are a few tips that have helped reduce the anxiety and aggression we see from patients.

 

1.   Hiding these triggers is a first step.  Be creative.  When you have drawn up the vaccines, keep the syringes hidden under a paper towel or piece of paper.  Hold the thermometer palm down so the pet cannot see it.    Cover your table with a beach towel to hide the stainless steel.  Use a towel or blanket as a hood  or a calming cap   over the pet's face so they cannot see what is happening.

 

2. Reduce  pain and discomfort when  using these instruments.  Use Lidocaine cream around the rectum and wait a few minutes before using a fecal loop or rectal thermometer.  Smaller gauge needles (25ga for most injections)   reduces pain during injection.  Give pain relief before a procedure such as oral Buprenex.

 

3.  Reduce the anxiety the pet is feeling.  Try the pheromone products early and often.  Adaptil may take 5-15 minutes to help reduce anxiety.  Give the client a bandana to put on their dog so it is taking effect in the waiting room and during history taking.   Spray Feliway on a paper towel to rub on the door of the carrier and on the exam table.   Offer food reward, verbal praise and petting that the pet enjoys throughout the steps of the exam and treatment.

 

  Whatever steps you take with a patient to reduce anxiety,  record it in the record.   This will save staff  time and improve every visit for that pet.  Use the Bella Behavior Label ( pat. pend) to make this process easy.   

 

Doctors - you have to be part of the low stress plan too!   Staff, tell your doctors what you notice when the pet became tense and that you want to try  removing a trigger or 2.  See what effect that has on the pet and document it!  Some of us doctors get so engrossed in  diagnosis and treatment we don't pay attention to  what may be triggering the patient's anxiety.  We can't see how the animal is responding as we bend over to look in an ear or are at the rear of an animal.  We need the techs and assistants to tell us what you see.  Lastly,  doctors - don't be skeptical.   B e open to changing a few things for the benefit of your patients and your staff. 

Clients, pets and staff will love you for this.  

 

 

Dr. Sally J Foote DVM CABC-IAABC   www.drsallyjfoote.com 

 

 

 


Featured blog post -    Thunderstorm fears no more

 
after the storm - much calmer  
 
Washington and Gifford Illinois were struck by horrible tornadoes just a few weeks ago.  Thunderstorm fears are common in central Illinois, and after severe storms like this, dogs and cats can be more anxious when the next one comes.  Here is my blog post describing how I set up a plan for Butterscotch my dog to help him settle during storms.  Storms can catch us by surprise, but if our pets know the plan, that can help be less upset.


Featured Video :   Nervous dog for exam 
 
helping a nervous dog be less stressed
Do you have friendly dogs that get scared and timid off and on during the exam? This video points out body language cues, reducing triggers and ways to reward even a timid dog during an exam to reduce stress
 
ranger on shoulder   Tired of getting bitten, scratched, growled and hissed at?
  Adding low stress handling techniques can be added quickly and effectively by developing  a plan for your office addressing the needs of your clinic.  I offer  in clinic training or remote location training.   

Call or email to find out more
217-253-3221  [email protected]

click here to learn more and schedule a consult for your office

Ranger and I would love to hear from you!  

 

Dr. Sally J. Foote, CABC-IAABC


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