Use this handout, courtesy of Virox™, to show your clients how you go the extra mile when cleaning your spaces to provide a truly Fear Free experience.

We’ve compiled the top 10 reasons why Fear Free Certified Practices & Certified Professionals benefit both pets and their people. Use this handout to educate your clients on the benefits of Fear Free care.

By Dr. Marty Becker

I’m sure that many of you, like me, can become numb, inured to human violence, whether it’s the war in Ukraine or the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. But when those of us who love or care for God’s creatures see instances of animals suffering, harmed, or killed, we are always ready to speak up or take action. What did you think when you heard that four horses died ahead of the 149th Kentucky Derby in May of this year?

Caring for animals is important. It has certainly been the bedrock of my life. But I care, too, about my fellow humans and the world we create for ourselves and all the rest of God’s creation. As members of the human family, we need to animate and activate our discussions, disgust, directives, and donations for all forms of suffering and injustic.

I’m sure the vast majority of people spoke out in support of the “Me Too” movement following the repulsive actions of Harvey Weinstein and Jeffrey Epstein. When George Floyd was killed, we were horrified by the actions of those police officers, and many marched. When white supremacists descended on Charlottesville, Virginia, for the “Unite The Right” rally spouting hateful rhetoric such as, “Jews will not replace us,” “You will not replace us,” and “Blood and soil” (a phrase evoking Nazi philosophy on ethnic identity), we were shocked and sickened; I know there were many kitchen table discussions asking, “How can this kind of hatred still exist against a people vilified for most of modern history?”

Here we are, almost eight decades after the end of World War II, and anti-Semitism, yet again, has grown in breadth, intensity, and violence. And yet again, too few speak out to confront the rot we see exposed on the street, on campuses, in churches, and on the media.

I have made it a point over the past month to repeatedly call my Jewish colleagues and friends to see how they’re doing. My shoulders fell as I heard stories of their rabbi killed, of their children being bullied at school and no longer feeling comfortable wearing their Star of David, of them seeing anti-Semitic graffiti in their neighborhood. It’s bad enough to see global anti-Semitism on TV or your mobile phone, but it hits harder when you see it on a wall as you drop your kids off at school or pick them up from soccer practice.

I know in the Becker family, we talk about injustice and try to live up to the words in our constitution: “We the people,” or those in the Pledge of Allegiance, “One nation, under God, indivisible.” What also ping pongs between my heart and head is the congregational prayer I’ve heard and recited since childhood that includes the words, “All God’s children.”

This is not just a message of support for the Jewish population. There’s room in our hearts and wallets to support races that are discriminated against, ethnic groups like the Palestinians, the cruel crackdown on Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, violence upon the LGBTQ+ community, and of course, any animal abuse.

Let’s make it a growing chorus of people who speak out against discrimination, violence, and abuse, and speak up for human rights, diversity, and equal opportunity.

Grow hoarse from making your voice heard.

Dr. Marty Becker, “America’s Veterinarian,” is the founder of Fear Free, which works to prevent and alleviate fear, anxiety, and stress in pets by inspiring and educating the people who care for them. This includes veterinary and other pet professionals as well as pet parents through FearFreeHappyHomes.com and animal shelter and rescue group staff and volunteers through FearFreeShelters.com.

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You’ve worked hard to become a Fear Free Certified Practice! Help your clients understand the new level of care you provide to their pets, and what you will & won’t do during their visit, all with this printable poster.

Use this handout to educate your clients on the benefits of receiving a TruCan B (Oral) vaccine and how it can protect their pet from tracheobronchitis.

One of the most common questions that pet owners have is, “can my dog catch a cold?” Use this handout to help educate them on the the dangers of Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease and how a vaccine can help protect their pet.

By Tracey L. Deiss, DVM

The word anesthesia is of Greek etymology and means “without sensation.” It  is defined as the condition of not feeling pain, with or without the loss of consciousness.

When we think about pain in veterinary medicine, we often consider the physical suffering or discomfort caused by illness or injury but often overlook the equally important emotional and psychological component. Veterinary visit and hospitalization fear, anxiety, and stress (FAS) affects many of our patients and can be compounded by being separated from care givers, unfamiliar environments with loud sounds, unusual lighting, strange smells and people, and the presence of other animals. ¹

As good stewards of the anesthetic continuum of care, we partner with pet caregivers in managing the emotional and physical components of FAS and pain before arrival and upon discharge from the veterinary hospital and partner with our VHTs in the time between. While most of us worry about the induction and maintenance phases of the anesthesia, it’s important to remember that between 47 percent and 60 percent of anesthetic-related complications and deaths occur in the recovery phase. Maximizing a smooth return to consciousness is essential for patient wellbeing since prolonged or rough recoveries can harm the patient and the surgical site as well as compromise the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. ²

Close your eyes for a moment and picture this: A tranquil post-op recovery ward filled with resting patients. Sounds like a dream, right? What if I shared with you that patients having an anti-emetic added to their pre-medication protocol, especially protocols containing highly “barfogenic” drugs like opioids, have smoother recoveries compared to those without.  In a study looking at Cerenia® (maropitant citrate) injectable given in the perioperative period for the prevention of vomiting caused by emetogenic medications, Cerenia-treated dogs recovered smoothly, meaning they were lying comfortably without vocalization or panting and had a relaxed posture. Two dogs in the placebo-treated group experienced a rough recovery in the first 30 minutes, characterized by thrashing, paddling, shaking, and vocalizing; 25 percent of placebo dogs recovered moderately, meaning they exhibited a hunched posture along with panting and frequently changed positions. ³ A post-op patient lying comfortably, without vocalization, panting, or a hunched position is a rare moment of Zen for every veterinary health team. Bonus: Improving the quality of recovery may allow dogs to be discharged sooner and is less worrisome for the pet owner. ⁴

Another important attribute of the recovery period for pets and their people is a swift return to normal behaviors, like eating. Quick return to feeding indicates that our canine patients are most likely FAS-free and helps maintain normal gastrointestinal integrity and microbiome health; supports the immune system; and improves tissue healing. ^5,6 In addition, return to feeding is crucial for glucose regulation in diabetic patients and prevention of hypoglycemia in toy breeds and young patients. In the previously mentioned study, 66.7 percent of canine patients receiving Cerenia returned to feeding at 6 hours compared to 33.3 percent of placebo-treated patients. By post-op hour 20, 93 percent of Cerenia-treated patients returned to normal feeding vs. 46 percent of placebo-treated dogs. Additionally, the average amount of food consumed by the Cerenia-treated patients (190 grams) was nearly 5 times that consumed by placebo-treated patients (39.1 grams).³

Achieving smoother recoveries and quicker return to feeding by preventing perioperative vomiting, benefits our team members as well. Perioperative vomiting causes our technician to have increased worry and concern about patient wellbeing and negatively affects client interaction and satisfaction. Cleaning up after a vomiting patient increases workload and redirects focus on other patients, which negatively affects veterinary team members’ efficiency and wellbeing. ⁷

Managing FAS in the anesthetic continuum of care is beneficial to our patients, pet care givers, and practice, as is being an equal opportunity advocate of perioperative vomiting prevention for all patients. Reducing fear, anxiety, and stress through implementation of perioperative vomiting protocols can help us in our journey from Anesthesia to Zen.

To download an expert panel review of the benefits of preventing perioperative vomiting and learn more about Cerenia® (maropitant citrate) injectable for prevention of vomiting from emetogens like opioids, visit relievePOV.com.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:  Use CERENIA Injectable subcutaneously for acute vomiting in dogs 2 to 4 months of age or either subcutaneously or intravenously in dogs 4 months of age and older.  Safe use has not been evaluated in dogs with gastrointestinal obstruction, or those that have ingested toxins. Use with caution in dogs with hepatic dysfunction. Pain and vocalization upon injection is a common side effect. In people, topical exposure may elicit localized allergic skin reactions, and repeated or prolonged exposure may lead to skin sensitization. See full Prescribing Information, CereniaPI.com.

1. Riemer, S.; Heritier, C.; Windschnurer, I.; Pratsch, L.; Arhant, C.; Affenzeller, N. A Review on Mitigating Fear and Aggression in Dogs and Cats in a Veterinary Setting. Animals 2021, 11, 158. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11010158  AR-21729
2. 2020 AAHA Anesthesia and Monitoring Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. AR-14689
3. Ramsey, D, et al., Int J Appl Res Vet Med, 2014. AR-03556
4. Ettinger S et al. Rethinking Perioperative Vomiting in Dogs. Zoetis Advisory Board. 2019 CER-00425
5. Hay Kraus, BL., Vet Med (Auckl), 2017. AR-08024
6. Kasiraj, AC, et al., FEMS Microbiol Ecol, 2016 AR-09087
7. ZMR: Cerenia Quick Poll Survey Results Aggregate July 24 2017 TI-04680

All trademarks are the property of Zoetis Services LLC or company or a licensor unless otherwise noted.
© 2023 Zoetis Services LLC. All rights reserved. CER-00631

By Julie Liu, DVM

Years ago, I would routinely walk into the doctors’ office in the morning to see one of the other vets typing away with the overhead light turned off. The exterior wall to the office was a large window that faced east so there was always some early morning light, but still, I didn’t get it. Wasn’t it always better to have more light? Why toil away in the dark like a cave creature? After a while, I started getting used to only having natural light in the office, and noticed that I felt a lot calmer. If another doctor turned the light on, it felt way too bright and jarring. I realized that something as simple as decreasing the intensity of the light in my environment could magically decrease my stress without me even noticing.

When it comes to our feline patients, many of the surroundings in a vet hospital can be similarly disruptive, and may even lead to fear, anxiety, and stress (FAS). By reimagining the environment and catering to the feline senses, we can promote relaxation for both cats and humans. Here are some simple, budget-friendly tips for creating Fear Free feline exam rooms.

Provide a Safe Place

In 2022, the AAFP/ ISFM updated their guidelines for a Cat Friendly Veterinary Environment, in which they reference the 5 Pillars of a Healthy Feline Environment. Pillar 1, “Provide a Safe Place”, is paramount. So what makes cats feel safe?

When cats are experiencing FAS, hiding becomes a major way in which they cope. Think of all those cats you’ve seen hiding behind the computer screen in the exam room-–they’re trying to cope with the stress of being in a scary place. Ensuring that every exam room is stocked with towels will facilitate hiding and comfort during the visit. You can even go next level and get a towel warmer. The thermoneutral zone for cats is 86-100.4℉, and warm bedding is so much cozier.

Cats also feel safer when they can be elevated. Non-slip cat perches and cubby holes mounted onto the wall will let them survey the room from a height. Just make sure that any cubby can be opened easily to access the cat, as removing them from their “safe” place will increase FAS. Similarly, if budget allows, replace exam room chairs with a bench that extends to the floor so cats don’t have to be pulled out from their hiding spot.

Instead of taking cats to the noisy and stressful treatment area for samples, treat each exam room like a private, “safe” treatment area for that kitty and stock it appropriately:  tubes, syringes, smaller gauge needles, butterfly catheters, slides, and EMLA cream to reduce the pain of needle pokes. If team members aren’t comfortable collecting samples in front of the owner, most clients are more than willing to hang out in the waiting area until you’re done.

Considerate Approach

When we use Fear Free Considerate Approach, we want to consider how our felines are experiencing their environment during care.

• Touch. Exam tables are slippery and cold, so ensure all tables have a non-slip surface like a yoga mat to act as a base under your warm towel. Every room should also have a non-tippable cat scale with a stable surface, which could be a Feliway-sprayed towel that you “tare” prior to weighing the cat.
• Taste. While many cats will be too fearful to eat treats, others can readily be distracted by Temptations, Churu, squeeze cheese, tuna, turkey baby food, and other snacks during interactions. Also be mindful of taste the next time you’re dousing cats with alcohol to collect samples–unless you wipe the alcohol off with a damp washcloth, you’re contributing to a negative experience when they groom themselves after the visit.
• Visual. Photorealistic depictions of cats or other animals may cause cats to react, so abstract art often works best. If you’re lucky enough to have a quiet exam room with a window, consider making that a feline-only room. Many cats will explore the room and gaze outside during a visit, which works great as a distractor. Cats are also better able to see in lower light than people, so install a dimmer switch to decrease light intensity.
• Auditory. Noise can significantly increase a cat’s FAS, and should be minimized wherever possible. Installing soft closers on cabinets/ doors and hanging a “Shhh….feline appointment in progress!” sign on the treatment area side of the door will remind team members to use their inside voices and keep environmental sounds low. You can also hook a speaker up to the computer and play soft, cat-specific music. A 2019 study published by the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery found that cats listening to cat-specific music in a veterinary clinical setting had lower cat stress scores and lower mean handling scale scores than cats that were exposed to silence or classical music.
• Olfactory. Pets leave behind lots of scents during visits, and smelling them may increase FAS, particularly if a dog was just in that room. Having a cat-only exam room decreases olfactory stressors, and Rescue will allow you to disinfect and remove traces of the previous patient while minimizing harsh smells from scented cleaners.
• Pheromonal. When your cat rubs their cheek against your leg or the furniture, they’re depositing the feline facial pheromone that marks an area as “safe”. Feliway Classic mimics this pheromone, and comes in diffusers that can be plugged into every exam room. You can also pre-spritz room towels with Feliway spray at least 15 minutes before the first appointment, then reload for afternoon kitties since it wears off in 4-5 hours. Don’t forget to label your diffuser with some client ed so cat parents see the Fear Free value.

The exam room can be a scary place for many cats, causing them to experience FAS even before handling. Adding some Fear Free tools and considering the feline senses will help turn your exam rooms into kitty havens.

Resources

https://fearfreepets.com/cat-friendly-exam-room/#:~:text=Avoid%20chairs%20cats%20can%20get,Choose%20light%20colors

https://fearfreepets.com/top-10-treats/

https://fearfreepets.com/helping-our-feline-friends-feel-fear-free-with-dr-tony-buffington/

https://fearfreepets.com/providing-the-optimum-environment-for-cats/

https://fearfreepets.com/creating-a-comfortable-environment-in-the-clinic/

JFMS: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1098612X221128763

JFMS: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1098612X19828131

Cat music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGyElqvALbY

Use this handout to educate your clients on the benefits of genetic testing. Genetic testing is a tool that can provide peace of mind during your clients journey with their new puppy or kitten. Providing this service can give them a comprehensive overview of their pet’s genetic health predispositions, so they can make informed decision about their pets health.