LOW-STRESS HANDLING IN THE VETERINARY CLINIC

1. Veterinary behavioural medicine
The advent of animal behaviour studies
Behavioural medicine
The role of the veterinary professional
How to identify a behavioural problem
What is a behavioural problem?

2. The emotional world of cats and dogs and agonistic behaviour
Identifying emotions
Fear and anxiety
Agonistic behaviours

3. Communication
In dogs
In cats

4. Nonassociative learning
Habituation
Sensitisation
Exposure to new stimuli

5. Associative learning
Classical conditioning
Operant conditioning

6. Behaviour modification techniques
Systematic desensitisation
Classical counterconditioning
Operant counterconditioning
Extinction
Flooding

7. Travelling to the clinic
Home treatment
Training to use a carrier
The car journey
Handling on the lead
Placing a muzzle

8. The reception and waiting room
Entrance
Reception
Waiting room

9. Consultations
Consultation room
Equipment
Protocols

10. Hospitalisation
The hospitalisation area
Intensive care unit (ICU)
Rest
Visits from owners

11. Pheromone therapy
What are pheromones?
Pheromone release sites
Pheromone therapy

12. Psychopharmacology
Anxiolytics
Antidepressants
Mood stabilisers
Antipsychotics
a-2 Agonists
Practical sedation protocols

13. Handling techniques
Guiding or luring
Venipuncture
Examining the head
Towel techniques
Syringe extension
Ninja technique

Appendix

BIBLIOGRAPHY

This book is intended as a practical guide to enable small animal clinical veterinary surgeons and their teams to improve various aspects of their everyday practice: how they understand and relate to patients and clients, how they manage their work, the handling of animals during different procedures, and the implementation of programmes to deal with behavioural issues. These aspects will have a highly positive impact on the wellbeing of the patient, the client, and the veterinary and support staff, with the implementation of smoother and effective procedures.