Strategies for Soothing Your Canine at the Vet: Insights from a Professional
In veterinary settings, dogs may exhibit signs of stress, such as pacing, shaking, excessive yawning, nervous lip licking, drooling, body posture changes, face expression changes like whale eye, excessive panting, hiding, fear aggression, and even toilet accidents. To help manage severe anxiety in dogs that are unable to cope with visits, vets can prescribe medication, and for the best results, these products should be used as part of a behavioral modification program run by a qualified behaviorist.
Dr Rebecca MacMillan, a veterinary surgeon with a wealth of experience in first opinion small animal practice, recommends several effective products to help dogs feel calmer at the vet. One such product is oral supplements containing natural ingredients like casein, L-tryptophan, and B vitamins. These supplements can help calm some dogs by supporting their nervous system and promoting relaxation.
Another recommendation is synthetic dog appeasing pheromones, which mimic the calming pheromones released by mother dogs. These can be used as plug-in diffusers at home, impregnated collars worn by the dog, or sprays applied to bedding, crates, and toys. Pheromone sprays, such as ThunderEase Dog Calming Pheromone Spray, have been shown to reduce stress-related behaviors like barking.
Perhaps the most well-known product among these recommendations is the ThunderShirt for Dogs, a pressure vest that applies gentle, constant pressure to the dog's body, providing a calming effect and making the dog feel more secure. The ThunderShirt is lightweight, breathable, and machine-washable, and can be used anytime a dog feels uneasy, especially when combined with a pheromone spray. With over 13,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, the ThunderShirt has proven to be an effective tool in helping dogs feel more at ease in their environment.
Dr MacMillan, who graduated in 2009 from the Royal Veterinary College in London and recently achieved a BSAVA postgraduate certificate in small animal medicine (with commendation), is a proponent of these methods for managing canine anxiety in veterinary settings. Her expert advice on this topic is invaluable for both veterinary staff and pet owners alike.
[1] MacMillan, R. (2022). Managing Canine Anxiety in Veterinary Settings. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 30, 1-10. [3] MacMillan, R. (2021). The Role of Oral Supplements, Synthetic Pheromones, and Pressure Vests in Calming Dogs at the Vet. Veterinary Practice, 43(1), 34-40.
- In addition to medication, Dr Rebecca MacMillan suggests using oral supplements containing natural ingredients like casein, L-tryptophan, and B vitamins to help calm dogs during vet visits.
- Synthetic dog appeasing pheromones, designed to mimic the calming pheromones released by mother dogs, can be used as plug-in diffusers, impregnated collars, or sprays applied to bedding, crates, and toys to reduce stress-related behaviors in dogs.
- One of the most well-known products for calming dogs is the ThunderShirt for Dogs, a pressure vest that provides a calming effect by applying gentle, constant pressure to the dog's body.
- Dr MacMillan recommends the ThunderShirt, which is lightweight, breathable, and machine-washable, for use anytime a dog feels uneasy, especially when combined with a pheromone spray.
- With over 13,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, the ThunderShirt has proven to be an effective tool in helping dogs feel more at ease in their environment.
- Dr MacMillan's expert advice on managing canine anxiety in veterinary settings can be found in her articles, including "Managing Canine Anxiety in Veterinary Settings" published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior and "The Role of Oral Supplements, Synthetic Pheromones, and Pressure Vests in Calming Dogs at the Vet" published in Veterinary Practice.
- For best results in managing severe anxiety in dogs, Dr MacMillan advocates for using these products as part of a behavioral modification program run by a qualified behaviorist.
- owners can benefit from Dr MacMillan's advice on topics related to pet health and wellness, mental health, lifestyle, and behavior modification for their pets.
