Minimizing stress in veterinary clinics

Question 1

What is the evidence of stress in clinics?

Answer 1

• over 50% of gos showed more than four signs of stress
• 78% of dogs on exam tables showed fear responses
• increased urinary cortiol:creatinine levels in dogs in exams, vaccinations

Question 2

What are the interventions that can be used to minimize stress?

Answer 2

• waiting rooms with barriers
• moves clients into rooms quickly
• keep dogs waiting in car
• medication
• keep owners with pet during check-ups and exams

Question 3

How can we use Pavlovian to reduce stress in animals at vet clinics?

Answer 3

• pair the office with good things
• no poke visits
• minimize restraints and aversive procedures
• prevent fear conditioning

Question 4

How can we use operant conditioning to reduce stress in animals at vet clinics?

Answer 4

• releasing restraint early and often
• use positive reinforcements for desirable behavior

Question 5

Cooperative Care in Clinics

What is the cooperative care for nail trimming?

Answer 5

Can use a scratch board and train the animal to paw at it by first training them with a towel, reinforcing the behavior with treats. Another method includes having a stratching ramp where the dogs are lured onto climbing the ramp with treats.

Question 6

Cooperative Care in Clinics

What is the cooperative care for vaccines?

Answer 6

Using a focus trained test to have the animal focus on something while the person first applies pressure to where the vaccine will go and then gradually repeat with a syringe while giving treats.

Question 7

How did handling cats passively improve welfare?

Answer 7

• fewer negative ear holds
• lower respiration rates
• less dilated pupils

compared to other restraint methods