By Michael Balas, DVM Our veterinary practice prides itself on our commitment to fear free visits for your pets, and many of our staff members have undergone special training to make the hospital a more relaxing environment for our patients. There are multiple non-pharmaceutical techniques we utilize to help make your pet’s visit to the hospital a happier experience. Occasionally however, some pets will become so stressed they can become a danger to themselves or others and your veterinarian might recommend an anti-anxiety medication prior to visits. This does not mean your pet is being naughty or cannot be managed. It means that we have noticed your pet has a level of stress that we can potentially help with. There are a variety of pharmaceutical options that can be used to help with hospital- based anxiety. Two of the most commonly used medications in veterinary medicine are trazodone for dogs and gabapentin for cats. Trazodone helps increase serotonin levels within the brain which reduces anxiety. Given a few hours prior to an exam, it can lessen fear-based behaviors such as reacting to being approached or examined, cowering, and barking. It also aids in treatments such as blood draws and vaccinations, […]