On a related note, since we started doing only drop-off appointments we have noticed that many of our patients are more nervous/anxious/fearful during their visits. This has been the case for patients that used to be slightly nervous during visits with their owners as well as for patients who had never before seemed nervous.
This development concerns us for two reasons. The first is that we don’t ever want our patients to have negative experiences at our hospital! The second is that nervousness during visits now will likely lead to more nervousness in the future, even once owners are able to accompany their pets into the clinic. And so begins a cycle that, for some pets, will lead to extreme nervousness and fear that impacts whether, how, and when they receive veterinary care.
We encourage all of our clients to think about whether your pet has been nervous during vet visits in the past, or whether you think they would be nervous during a separation from you. If so, please contact us at least a few days before your pet’s visit so that we can arrange for you to give a pre-visit calming medication or supplement to your pet. We are happy to discuss these medications and supplements with you and to offer advice about how to make your pet's drop-off visit easier on them. Being proactive about managing nervousness now can help spare your pet from developing a deep fear of veterinary care in the future.