Sometimes our pets' need some additional help to calm down and relax for their visits, especially for procedures like Echocardiograms and Ultrasounds. Wouldn't that be nice if our human Doctors gave us a little something too?!
Why Our Doctors Want You To Give Some Pre-Visit Calming Medications?
Just like humans, pets can experience anxiety in unfamiliar environments or situations. The veterinary clinic, with its unfamiliar smells, sights, and sounds, can trigger fear-based reactions in many animals. For echocardiograms and ultrasounds it can be especially difficult because we are asking your pet to sit very still for 20 to 60 minutes on their back or side which is alarming for them!
Pre-visit calming medications can:
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Reduce stress and anxiety, making the visit more comfortable for your pet.
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Improve safety for both your pet and veterinary staff.
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Allow for a more thorough and accurate examination by minimizing fear-based reactions.
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Make future visits less traumatic by creating positive experiences.
When you give these medications on our Veterinarian's orders you are helping us reduce the amount of injectable sedation we may have to use. It will also help us capture proper diagnostic images the first time, which will effectively eliminate the chances of you having to bring your pet back to us for a second attempt at the echocardiogram or ultrasound.
How Do These Medications Work?
Pre-visit medications are carefully selected based on your pet’s specific needs and medical history. They are typically mild sedatives or anti-anxiety medications that help calm nervous pets without overly sedating them. The medications will promote relaxation, reduce anxiety and alleviate stress reactions. We also use plug in pheromone sprays to ease anxiety.
When to Administer Pre-Visit Medications
For best results, pre-visit medications should be given at home before your appointment, as directed by our Veterinarians. Depending on the medication, it may need to be given 1-2 hours before travel to ensure effectiveness.