As an accredited Dog Friendly Clinic we take the emotional wellbeing of our patients very seriously.
We know that most of our patients can feel stressed and scared when visiting the vets; and just like with humans, stress can cause dogs all kinds of problems such as increased risk of infection, delayed wound healing and a traumatic recovery from anaesthesia.
In order to achieve the Dog Friendly accreditation, we have introduced a range of dog friendly initiatives to help make our patients' visit as stress free as possible, these include:
- Associate training with a professional dog behaviourist on how to approach and handle dogs in a low stress way
- A quiet area in the waiting room for nervous dogs
- Frosting on kennel doors so that patients are unable to see each other
- Dog friendly pheromone plugins and use of a calming spray on bedding
- Use of medication to help calm and relax patients before and during their visit (known as the Chill Protocol, see below)
- A dog admit form that pet owners can use to tell us about their pet’s behaviour, likes and dislikes
- The use of non-slip mats around the Hospital to help patients feel safer and more comfortable
- Easy listening music in kennels to mask loud noises and create a calming environment.
Clients are encouraged to bring items from home to help their pet settle. This can include toys, blankets, or item of clothing with the owner’s scent on.
Chill Protocol
At West Midlands Veterinary Referrals we want your dog to have a calm and settled experience, which is why we offer a service called the 'Chill Protocol'.
As part of the Chill Protocol our veterinary surgeons can prescribe medication that will help your dog relax when/if they are admitted for surgery or further investigations. The cost of this service ranges from £4 to £21 depending on the size of dog.
To help you decide if this would benefit your dog, it is worth considering if any of these statements apply to your dog:
- Hard to handle at the Vets e.g. when having vaccinations
- Nervous around new people or animals
- Have sensitive areas they do not like to be touched, such as paws or face
- Have been prescribed calming medication previously
- Can be anxious and/or timid
- Have separation anxiety
- Easily stressed e.g. loud noises, new places.
To find our more about our Chill Protocol speak to a member of our team today on: 01543 414 248.
