by Bridget Webber

Created on: September 22, 2009   Last Updated: January 02, 2010

Visits to the vet's office can be a traumatic experience for pets and their owners. While one pet may be waiting for a simple procedure to take place, such as having his nails clipped, another animal may be waiting for a far more serious event to occur, such as an operation, or even worse, he may be due to be put to sleep.

Because there are usually, not just a variety of different species of pets in a veterinary surgery, but a variety of medical complaints accompanying them, making sure that you and your pet practice acceptable behavior and stay safe is essential. Important points to be considered at the vet's office for dogs and their owners are:

# Safety / Control

# Courtesy

# Consideration

# Safety / Control

It is the responsibility of a dog owner to make sure that their pet is safe, and doesn't pose a threat to other animals who are waiting to see the vet, or their owners.

Always secure your dog adequately. This will prevent him or her from running around the office and disturbing other people and animals. Dogs need to be kept on a short, strong leash, by the side of their owner until it it their turn to see the vet, when they should be kept close to the side of their owners legs as they walk straight into the appropriate room.

If a dog is known to be aggressive, they should wear a muzzle so that no danger can occur. Children, who haven't been taught not to fuss strangers dogs, often go with their pets to the vet. The last thing a dog owner wants is a hurt child on their hands due to their own lack of preparation, or to find that their dog has bitten another animal.

As well as keeping other pets and people safe from your dog, you should consider the possibility that other pet owners may not be so vigilant. Keep your dog from socialising with other animals while in the vet's office. Another dog may become aggressive towards yours, or have an infectious disease.

# Courtesy

Some dogs consider little animals, such as rodents, as possible breakfast. Just as many small pets, such as rabbits and cats, are terrified of dogs. Therefore, don't add to patients malaise by sitting down next to them. Instead try to sit in a chair next to another empty chair, and keep your dog close to you at all times.

Visiting the vets with a pet may be a happy experience for some pet owners, however, it may be a sad time for others. Remember that the person sitting opposite you may be feeling sick with worry about their pet, and appreciate a kind smile, rather than an update

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