Selecting a Veterinarian without Distress
Is it time for veterinarians to concentrate on managing “distress” in patients as well as pain? Distress–the kind caused by vaccinations, nail trimming and yes, even taking temperatures–distress from a squirmy puppy or a growling cat! Recently, a veterinarian in a “Letter to the editor” published in a veterinary journal noted that it was important to acknowledge an animal’s distress and then develop strategies to help deal with distress. For nail trimming he advised the use of lots of treats throughout the procedure–and, not to expect every pet to accept this as a distraction and show good behavior. Never try to force, he advised. Also, sedation should not just be used with painful procedures, he wrote and can be helpful with distress. Pay attention to timing and move slowly especially when taking a temperature. Consider altering and eliminating a procedure from a routine examination if it is distressful. His advice to his colleagues –”Press on as best you can. Sometimes as we all know we just have to do a procedure and do it now. In these cases, be as quiet, fast and respectful as you can.” His final advice–ACCESS EACH INDIVIDUAL and be prepared to try alternative strategies to reduce distress.
I have found that sometimes if the veterinarian thinks there might be a distressful event which could cause DISTRESS IN THE PET OWNER –he or she takes the animal out of the examining room so the procedure can be done privately on a level field without owner anxiety. However, this makes some owners imagine the worse. But why? If they don’t trust the veterinarian, or staff member or hospital the pet won’t either and neither of them should be there.
One leading Pennsylvania veterinarian says the easiest dogs to examine and treat are those who have passed a Canine Good Citizen evaluation. The “stand for examination” exercise makes the veterinarian’s task quick and easy and he claimed–gives a more accurate pulse and blood pressure reading.
WORLD VETERINARY DAY TO CENTER ON “ONE WORLD, ONE HEALTH”. The theme of WORLD VETERINARY DAY 2010 April 24th is to raise awareness of the links between animal and public health by fostering and encouraging more cooperation between veterinarians and physicians.
CALIFORNIA CONSIDERS ANIMAL ABUSER REGISTRY. California is considering a list of persons convicted of animal cruelty similar to listings of sex offenders and arsonists. The publicly accessible list would be useful to animal shelters, animal sellers as well as law enforcement. Persons listed in the proposed California law would have been convicted of felony animal abuse such as torture, sexual abuse, animal fighting or neglect. Animal abuse can be a sign of domestic violence and other criminal activity. (The Latham Foundation, a California-based humane education organization, has long worked in the field of these “cycles of violence” tracing the connection of animal cruelty and domestic violence particularly with children.) Similar legislation has been introduced in Rhode Island, Louisiana, Colorado and Tennessee.
Apr 20, 2010 | | Uncategorized