We realize that when you leave your pet in our hands, we are accepting a great responsibility and are caring for a beloved family member. Both you and your pet are anxious about the time spent apart as well as the procedure itself. We understand and have many ways to help you both through the process.
Reminders
About 2 days beforehand, we will email you with preparation details for the big day. It will include information on preparation the night before, timing of drop-of and pick-up and expectations for recovery after you arrive back home. We will call you the day before as a reminder and to answer any last minute questions. We want you to know what to expect that day and afterwards.
Scheduling
If your pet has higher levels of anxiety with us or without your present, we can arrange for special drop-off and pick-up times that minimize the time spent at the hospital. In some cases we can even perform surgical preparation with you present. We are flexible to give your pet the best experience possible under the circumstances. Since we know your pet and regularly evaluate their personality and behavior with us, we will recommend this specialized process for those patients
The Importance of Odor
Smell is a critically important sense for our pets. Bringing something that smells familiar can be comforting and help reduce stress for your pet. Bring in their favorite small bed or blanket or a shirt you have worn. They’ll appreciate it.
Chemical Help
In some patients we can also use a quick acting ant-anxiety medication to help. It will lower their anxiety enough to bring them from panic to nervousness and can be given associated with anesthesia. We would plan ahead to have you give this pill about an hour before you leave to come see us. Every little bit of help with anxiety improves the overall outcome and experience with the veterinarian.
Updates
We know you put on a brave face and you trust us, but you are still worried throughout the day. When will the procedure start, how long will it take, when will I hear from the doctor, etc. We can now provide a few text updates with a photo for you through the day. You will still receive a phone call from the doctor after the procedure with a complete update, an pick-up time range and instructions for recovery.Instructions
Don’t worry – we know you might not remember all the details the doctor told you in the post procedure call. You will go home with detailed written instructions that one of our crew goes over with you before you head home with your pet. We will also call you the next day to check in and answer any remaining questions or concerns.
Our process is tailored to your needs and your pet’s needs. Our goals are to minimize the stress and anxiety in your pets. We realize that lowering your stress also lowers your pet’s stress. They respond to how you are feeling. Pain management is improved and recovery is shortened by lowering stress and pain. It is a critical but often neglected aspect of medicine that we feel strongly is a big part of our success in the short and long term.
