Visiting the vet's office can be a problem for many pets. In fact, your pet may start to have a problem before he even gets to the office. He may pick up on your own feelings of anxiety or the car ride may make him anxious, particularly if your pet isn't used to riding in cars. Once there, the vet's office is filled with unfamiliar scents from other pets, people and cleaning products, and there are different sounds, many made by other animals who may be scared or ill. To top it off, your pet then has strangers handling him who may cause pain or discomfort. It's understandable that your pet would feel anxious or frightened in this situation.
Problems, however, can occur if your pet becomes so fearful that he risks injuring himself or others. Further, some dogs become aggressive in these situations. If the aggression results because the dog is being protective of his owner in a situation he perceives as threatening, removing the owner from the exam room may help. While your dog may still be fearful, your veterinarian can at least do what he has to do. Separating owners from their dogs can also help if the dog's behavior is in reaction to their owner's feelings. Other times, it may be necessary to muzzle the dog for both your vet's safety and your dog's. Some pets, particularly cats, may need to be tranquilized. While these options may sound scary to you, it's important that you have faith in your veterinarian and trust his suggestions. |
