Combined Minimising Canine and Feline Stress in the Practice Setting

An extensive learning series containing nine videos with specialist Sarah Heath focused on minimising stress and managing challenging behaviour in both canine and feline patients, as outlined below:

Minimising Canine Stress in the Practice Setting and Dealing with Challenging Patients Series:

When patients are challenging it is all too easy to misinterpret their behaviour and overlook the potential for them to be experiencing negative emotion. Not only is it important to have a better understanding to protect patient welfare but also because challenging patients can increase the potential for human injury. In order to deal effectively with these patients, it is essential to consider the veterinary visit from their perspective and to learn how to anticipate and prevent potentially harmful situations. During this learning series, viewers will develop skills for dealing with the more challenging canine patients and learn how a behaviourally aware approach can reduce the potential for these issues to arise. Creating canine-friendly practices involves decreasing the potential for negative emotion and increasing the triggering of positive emotion.

Minimising Feline Stress in the Practice Setting and Dealing with Challenging Patients Series:

Veterinary visits can be challenging for even the most passive of cats, as well as for their owners. Fractious behaviour is one possible indicator of emotional challenges and can make it difficult for the practice team to accurately assess and treat the cat, while also increasing the potential for human injury. Considering the visit from the cat’s perspective and using a behaviourally aware approach, not only ensures the welfare of the patient but also helps to reduce the risk of confrontational situations. This learning series explores the feline patient’s perspective of a veterinary visit and outlines appropriate strategies with practical advice to help minimise the stress of the patient, their care giver and members of the veterinary team.