Why fear and pain go hand in handMarch 10, 2020A Fear Free pain management roundtable discussion, held at VMX 2020, explored the role pain plays in elevating fear, anxiety, and stress (FAS) in patients.
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Fear Free founder helps owners identify, address FAS in new bookApril 18, 2018Even though a good dog owner is attentive to their companion's physical needs—feeding, bathing, and playtime—they sometimes overlook a dog's emotional needs because it can be hard to identify the triggers of a dog's fear, anxiety, and stress (FAS), according to Marty Becker, DVM, founder of the Fear Free Pets program, who has released a new book aimed at teaching the program's principles to owners. In From Fearful to Fear Free: A Positive Program to Free Your Dog from Anxiety, Fears, and Phobias, Dr. Becker; Lisa Radosta, DVM, DACVB; Wailani Sung, Ph.D., DVM, DACVB; and Mikkel Becker explain how FAS is the underlying cause of many concerning behaviors such as excessive barking, aggression, destructive behaviors, and house-soiling. Further, the book discusses how FAS is the source for deterioration of the human-animal bond, and can make a trip to the veterinarian, pet groomer, or boarding facility miserable for pet and owner alike. If misinterpreted, overlooked, or left untreated, these negative experiences can lead to devastating consequences and permanent damage. Dr. Becker and his colleagues address FAS and share their own experiences, and include techniques and resources to implement Dr. Becker's Fear-Free program (fearfreepets.com and
Behavior basics for the emergency clinician and technicianJanuary 22, 2018Emergency and/or critical care workers are often faced with urgent cases and fast paced environments. Unfortunately, this setting is not always conducive to caring for patient's emotional needs. Here are some easy ways to help patients in even the most trying situations. 1. Keep patients with their owners as long as possible. Being in an unfamiliar environment can cause fear. Having a familiar person there is one way to help minimize fear, and therefore, anxiety and stress. 2. Control pain. Pain can contribute to fear, anxiety, and stress. (Remember, acepromazine is contraindicated for treating anxiety and aggression.1) 3. Provide a comfortable kennel. Providing adequate bedding goes a long way for patient comfort. Provide lots of padding for large dogs. Inexpensive bolster beds are easy to wash, and small dogs usually love them. Cats like to hide. Provide a box, or cover part of the kennel with a towel or blanket. Giving cats their own, quiet space in the clinic will help lower their stress levels.4 4. Keep things quiet. If there is a howler in the hospital, do something about it. Not only for the howler's sake, but for the rest of the hospital's sake, as well. Humans included. …
