Veterinary visits can be a source of anxiety for many pets, turning routine check-ups into stressful experiences for both animals and their owners. However, with proper desensitisation and socialisation, these trips to the vet can become more manageable and even positive for your furry friend.
In this blog, we’ll discuss why these sessions are essential, the signs that indicate your pet might need them, and share the story of Frank, who has personally experienced the positive effects of these sessions.
What are veterinary desensitisation and socialisation sessions and how do they work?
Sessions and their frequency are individual to each pet as they can be anxious about different things such as certain pieces of equipment being examined, going into the consultation room, or coming into the practice itself.
We must take our time and go at a pace that is appropriate for each pet as our goal is to get them as comfortable as possible with being in the practice and examined.
To help us with this, we use positive associations alongside a trigger such as verbal praise, stroking, high-value treats, and even a favourite toy to build up positive associations and build on the intensity of a trigger as their comfort level increases.
These sessions are not a quick fix for anxious and fearful pets, they can take a long time, and progress is constantly reviewed and adjustments made are made to help in achieving the end goal. Sometimes, it may be that these sessions are not suitable for your pet and seeing a trained accredited behaviourist is more appropriate.
Does my pet need veterinary desensitisation and socialisation?
Here are five signs your pet might need some additional attention:
Anxiety or stress at the vets:
- Excessive panting, trembling or drooling during vet visits.
- Hiding or trying to escape when you arrive at the vet’s office.
- Refusal to enter the clinic or reluctance to leave the car.
Aggression:
- Growling, snapping, or biting at the vet or staff.
- Lunging or showing teeth when approached by unfamiliar people or animals.
- Defensive posturing, such as raised hackles or a stiff body.
Excessive fearfulness:
- Freezing in place or becoming immobile when approached.
- Ears pinned back, tail tucked, or cowering in the presence of strangers.
- Fearful reactions to common veterinary equipment or procedures (e.g., scales, stethoscopes).
Hyperactivity:
- Jumping, barking, or whining uncontrollably in the waiting room.
- Difficulty calming down even after spending time in the clinic.
- Inability to focus or respond to commands in a veterinary setting.
Difficulty with Handling
- Resistance or panic when touched, especially in sensitive areas like the paws, mouth, or ears.
- Struggling or squirming excessively during routine exams or procedures.
- Refusal to allow certain procedures, like nail trimming or ear cleaning.
Case study
Meet the very handsome Frank
Frank has been coming to the Practice for socialisation sessions with nurses Donna and Erin for just over a year to build up his confidence with coming into the veterinary practice and being examined.
After being adopted by his wonderful owners, and a particular trip to the veterinary practice for his back, it was clear that this was a very frightening and stressful experience for him. Although it is very rare to see Frank without a wagging tail these days, initially just coming into the building was a challenge as he would pull towards the door or hide under the chairs.
At first, we saw Frank weekly, then every other week, and then monthly.
In the initial stages, Frank’s owner would also incorporate visits to the waiting area during his daily walks, they would come in and take a seat for a while and then leave, but not before Frank received treats and fuss from our Client Care Team. Frank soon became so comfortable in the waiting area that he would become bored! Our Client Care Team was an integral part of making Frank comfortable with coming into the practice and it soon became clear he had his favourites, especially team member Lindy!
At the start of Frank’s weekly visits, it was important that nothing clinical occurred, so these sessions involved lots of treats and confidence building around the consult room, equipment and being touched. Sessions progressed to using equipment (such as the stethoscope) on or around Frank for increased periods of time. Other members of staff were also introduced into the consultation environment. All sessions were taken at a pace that Frank was comfortable with and adjusted as necessary.
Frank’s owners were very committed to his socialisation and continued desensitisation to equipment and experiences at home between sessions, which massively helped Frank progress in practice sessions.
This February, Frank came in for his annual booster. He happily walked into the practice and consult room, where he had a check-over and his vaccination! Frank was even relaxed enough to play with his ball next to his owner while they chatted to the vet. A massive well done to Frank, his owners and the team for all their hard work in building up his confidence!
We will continue to see Frank periodically throughout the next year as it is important to keep a positive bond with Frank and his owners.
His owner has kindly provided a statement on their experience:
“When we got Frank he was a very frightened little staffy. He hurt his back one day and when I took him for examination, the vet couldn’t get near him. I agreed with Donna that we would try socialisation sessions. It was honestly the best thing we could have done for him.
To begin with I dropped in with him every evening for a minute or two so he realised nothing bad would happen. When he had his first appointment, Donna came out to meet him and he hid under my seat in fear. He wouldn’t make any eye contact with her and tensed if she went near him, getting ready to bite – his only form of defense. Over the weeks he relaxed and was quite happy to be in the waiting room, especially when the reception and hydro teams came out with treats for him!
Fast forward a year and Frank is so relaxed he gets bored when he visits and shouts at Donna and Erin for treats. He can have all his health checks done (well maybe not his temperature!) He even had his vaccinations without being muzzled and was a really good boy.
He’s gone from being terrified to a relaxed and calm dog at the vets and it’s all thanks to the patience of Donna and Erin and the whole Aldgate team who have taken time to make him trust strangers and realise that actually, being at the vets isn’t so terrible. I can’t thank you all enough”
If you think these confidence-boosting sessions would be beneficial for your pet, call or speak to your vet on your next visit to find out more information. If we think your dog could benefit from this when they attend our practice, it may be something we recommend anyway, to create a more enjoyable experience for all involved.
