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How do you cope when visiting the vet?

Bunny

I had to take one of our cats to the vet today, in what was supposed to be a quieter time slot.

As it was raining, I thought it would be unfair to ask the vet to follow our usual routine, in which they kindly fetch and return in the car park, to avoid me going in.

Inside, there were already two dogs, which I really don't like. My stress level was rising, but the wait was quite short. After the appointment, a HUGE dog was barking and misbehaving right outside the consulting room. I recoiled, the vet moved them aside, and I left through the two sets of doors of an enclosed, porch area (I think of it as an airlock).

As soon as I got outside, the alarm on the car next to mine went off, with a horrendous, high-pitched siren. I retreated into the airlock, feeling trapped and panicky. The alarm then stopped, so I went back outside - only for it to go off again. 

I then retreated all the way inside, now very agitated, and told the receptionist that I couldn't get to my car. Thankfully, it belonged to a gentleman who was being served, so he quickly dealt with it (he'd accidentally locked his colleague inside, but hadn't recognised the sound).

So it was a lose-lose situation. Even if I'd waited in the car, the alarm would still have gone off right next to me. Next time, I'll take my earplugs - which, of course, I didn't have with me :(

How do you get on with visiting the vet, and what coping strategies (if any) do you use?

Cat   Dog   Rabbit   parrot   Rat.   Chicken    

Parents

  • It may be good practice to keep several "emergency kits" in small bags to keep with you when you may be otherwise unprepared.

    Having something like earplugs, headache tablets, tissues, some of your favourite sweets, even an eyemask etc, maybe sunglasses, disposable gloves or whatever may be of use in an emergency would give you some confidence that this is just within reach.

    Keep a set in your handbag / coat pocket, in the cars glove compartment and one or two at home to slip into another coat if you need it should cover most circumstances.

    In your situation I would have "checked in" then told the receptionist I would wait in my car, giving some safe space from the other people / animals.

    The car alarm would have been unavoidable  but you may have been able to prevent being blocked in by asking the guy not to stop there - but there will always be curve ball situations unfortunately.

    I found that building my confidence in being able to cope with the unexpected or undesirable was the best way to conquer anxiety. It doesn't go away completely but I can shut it down much more easily now.

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  • It may be good practice to keep several "emergency kits" in small bags to keep with you when you may be otherwise unprepared.

    Having something like earplugs, headache tablets, tissues, some of your favourite sweets, even an eyemask etc, maybe sunglasses, disposable gloves or whatever may be of use in an emergency would give you some confidence that this is just within reach.

    Keep a set in your handbag / coat pocket, in the cars glove compartment and one or two at home to slip into another coat if you need it should cover most circumstances.

    In your situation I would have "checked in" then told the receptionist I would wait in my car, giving some safe space from the other people / animals.

    The car alarm would have been unavoidable  but you may have been able to prevent being blocked in by asking the guy not to stop there - but there will always be curve ball situations unfortunately.

    I found that building my confidence in being able to cope with the unexpected or undesirable was the best way to conquer anxiety. It doesn't go away completely but I can shut it down much more easily now.

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