Does your dog have a veterinary visit coming up? Here are some tips to make the visit go as smoothly as possible for both you and your pet!
How to Prepare
- Practice touching your dog’s paws, looking in their ears and at their teeth. Reward them with treats as you do this so that they are used to being touched in these places
- If your dog tends to be anxious or has shown anxiety or aggression at previous visits or during car rides, talk to your veterinarian about using an anti-anxiety medication prior to the visit.
- Anxious or aggressive dogs may also need a muzzle. Get your dog used to the muzzle by:
- Introducing it in a calm, neutral context
- Feed treats out of the muzzle until the muzzle is associated with something good
- Clip the muzzle on briefly, remove it before the dog is uncomfortable
- Gradually increase the amount of time they wear the muzzle
- Keep sessions fun and provide lots of treats so it is a positive experience
What to Bring
- Vaccine and medical record
- Any medications or supplements your pet is currently taking
- The name of the food and the amount (in grams or cups) that you are feeding your dog daily
- High value treats (like tiny pieces of hot dog or cheese)
- Bring your dog on a leash to the veterinarian
- A properly fitting Muzzle if needed
- Any concerns or questions you have for the veterinarian
What to Expect
- First, the veterinarian will ask you a series of questions to get to know your pet better
- Next, the veterinarian will do a physical exam to determine if there are any abnormalities in different organ systems
- The veterinarian may recommend other tests, like blood work or x-rays, depending on your concerns and their physical exam
Checklist to prepare for your pet’s Annual Exam
Questions your veterinarian will ask
- Lifestyle (where your pet spends their time)
- Exercise (type, tolerance, where, duration, frequency)
- Nutrition (What they eat, how often, how much, anything else by mouth)
- Dental Care (What is done at home, what has been done at vet)
- Contact (with other animals and at-risk humans)
- Medical/surgical history
- Preventative care history (What, where, when, any reactions)
- Behaviour (waht’s normal, any concerns)
- Any changes or concerns?
What to bring along
- Vaccine records (What they had, when and at what clinic)
- Any current or recent medications or supplements (a list, or a picture)
- Food type, brand, amount, and anything else they eat or chew
- If your pet has food allergies, bring safe treats with them
- Bring your pet fasted (if instructed to do so)
- Urine or fecal samples (if instructed to do so)
Additional resources:
Play a classroom KAHOOT based on this article: Click here!