As a pet owner, it is important that you take care of your animal and ensure that they are healthy. Feeding them and keeping them safe are both major parts of this duty, but you will also need to take them to the vet from time to time for checkups and possible emergency visits.
When you bring your pet to your vet in D’Iberville, MS, all parties may be overwhelmed. You may be concerned about your pet’s health, your pet will be confused about what is going on and your vet will be focused on getting their job done without being faced with any serious challenges. During this process, you may be quick to admonish your pet for not sitting still or behaving badly while being examined, but remember that your vet’s bedside manner has a lot to do with how your pet behaves.
What is good bedside manner?
Taking your pet to the vet isn’t always an easy task. Typically, animals panic when they know they are going to see the vet, so that fact alone may have your pet feeling suspicious about anyone who comes near him or her. They may trust you, but anyone else could be seen as a threat.
Good bedside manner for vets is similar to good bedside manner for doctors who see human patients. As a patient, you may already be concerned about what is going on with your health, so when you speak to a doctor, you want them to make you feel calm and treat you in a manner that shows that care for you and respect you. It is no different with pets and vets. Your pet may not understand exactly what is going on, but when your vet has poor bedside manner, they can easily become scared and uncomfortable.
Ways your vet can have good bedside manner
When visiting your vet in D’Iberville, MS, there are various things you can look out for and examine to help you determine if they have good bedside manner. From the moment your vet enters the exam room, he or she should make you and your pet feel safe and calm. Without making direct eye contact, they should address your pet by name and speak in a soft, non-threatening tone.
A gentle touch should be used when they start the examination, and movements should be slow. Ideally, if your pet was not calm before, doing these things should help them become more relaxed, but using restraints is an option if your pet doesn’t seem to be letting their guard down. In addition, vets can also offer your pet a treat to aid in them gaining your pet’s trust and reducing any stress they may feel while in the exam room.
Poor bedside manner can negatively affect animals and cause them to act out when visiting the vet. Your vet will want your pet to trust him or her, but it is their responsibility to create this safe, secure space and get the animal to allow them to do their job. As good bedside manner helps animals stay calm and makes future treatments easier, it is necessary for every visit to the vet. For kind, compassionate veterinary care and bedside manner that puts both pets and their human companions at ease, get in touch with D’Iberville Veterinary Hospital today.