Reduce your pet's anxiety during appointments with our Chill Protocol

As mentioned, we truly hope that being examined in the comfort and safety of your home helps your pet feel less anxious and therefore less reactive. We also use gentle, natural handling techniques to support them in settling and remaining calm.

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However, if your pet is very fearful, they may bite or scratch as a natural protective response.

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To help reduce your pet’s anxiety and minimise the need for heavy physical restraint—which can worsen fear and stress—we recommend a Chill Protocol as part of a Pre-Appointment Plan (PAP).

While this approach does not always eliminate the need for measures such as muzzling (for dogs), towel wrapping (for cats), or injectable sedation, it significantly reduces how often these are required.

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A Chill Protocol involves administering prescribed oral anti-anxiety medication at home, typically 60 minutes before your appointment:

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• Dogs are usually given trazodone, with or without gabapentin (sometimes other medication(s)

• Cats are most commonly given gabapentin alone (or other medications)

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These medications gently reduce anxiety and stress without fully sedating your pet. Your pet remains awake, but is less fearful, less reactive, and better able to cope with handling and examination.

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In simple terms, a chill protocol helps to:

• Take the edge off fear before the visit begins

• Improve comfort and cooperation

• Reduce the risk of defensive behaviours (e.g. biting, struggling)

• Avoid or minimise the need for stronger sedation in many cases

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The Pre-Appointment Plan (PAP) must be organised at least 10 days prior to your scheduled appointment. This is conducted via a telehealth consultation (up to 15 minutes), during which we assess your pet’s needs and prescribe the most appropriate medications.

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The cost for the PAP is $89, which includes:

• The telehealth behavioural assessment

• One dose of prescribed “happy pills” (chill protocol medication)

• Postage of the medication to your home

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This proactive approach is highly effective in creating a calmer, safer, and more positive experience for your pet, for you, and for us.

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If your pet is often anxious, please follow those steps:

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Important:

Please do NOT punish your pet (verbally or physically) would they display fearful or reactive behaviour during the appointment. This can increase anxiety and worsen reactivity over time. Pets use these behaviours to communicate fear, and our goal is to work with them using calm, positive approaches—not to suppress those signals.

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Please note that a chill protocol does not always eliminate the need for additional sedation. This decision is made collaboratively with you on a case-by-case basis.

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Our goal is to ensure that each visit is as low-stress and positive as possible—not only on the day, but for all future veterinary experiences as well.