Pre-Visit Pharmaceuticals
Does your sweet companion dread the vet? If your pet becomes anxious during car rides, nail trims, ear care, or even routine exams, we may recommend pre-visit medications to help ease that fear and improve their experience.
We commonly prescribe:
- Gabapentin – Helps relieve anxiety and also provides mild pain relief.
- Trazodone – A great option for reducing anxiety (but not pain).
If recommended for your pet, these medications should be given at home 2–3 hours before the appointment. For especially nervous pets, we may also suggest a dose the night before.
Please call us as soon as you schedule your appointment so we can help determine if pre-visit meds are right for your pet.
Fear Free Techniques
Our commitment to comfort doesn’t stop at the front door. We incorporate gentle handling techniques, calming pheromones, and pain-minimizing strategies throughout your pet’s visit.
Here’s what that looks like:
- Local anesthesia is used not only in surgery but also for things like ear care and hot spots on awake pets.
- In cases of pain or extreme anxiety, we may recommend light sedation to avoid causing unnecessary distress.
- Feliway diffusers are used in our cat areas, and our team wears Feliway-sprayed scrubs to help cats feel safe.
- Tasty treats are always on hand—dogs love our peanut butter stash, and for our more selective feline friends, we even have whipped cream.
We understand how stressful vet visits can be. That’s why every decision we make is with your pet’s emotional and physical well-being in mind.
