Vet offers tips on behaviors at the office

Dear Heloise: I’m a veterinarian in a busy five-doctor practice. Here are a few hints to make it easier for pet owners and their pets, as well as the veterinary hospital staff, during your visit:

•Keep your retractable leash as short as it goes and locked. Do not unlock it and let your pet wander. Most pets will urinate on things, and dogs will jump on people. Your pet could come into contact with a sick, nervous or biting pet. Retractable leashes are for walking your dog outdoors. I have seen dogs wrap themselves around other customers’ legs while the pet’s owner is oblivious. Keep your pet sitting in your lap or by your side within 2 feet.

•Keep your child on your lap or in the chair next to you. Better yet, leave children under 12 at home with a sitter, or bring your pet to the vet while the kids are in school. Children’s active nature and loudness upset animals that aren’t used to them and cause further stress on sick patients.

•Do not put your pet or its carrier on the reception counter. It takes up valuable space and could fall off.

•Do not set your child on the reception counter.

•Call ahead for your appointment. Tell the receptionist all the reasons you are coming in. Do not make an appointment for just vaccinations if other things need to be addressed also. The amount of time allotted to the appointment is based on what you tell the receptionist.

I hope some or all of these suggestions will help pet owners have a better relationship with their pet’s health-care team as well as make things simpler and safer for visits. A Vet, via e-mail

Thank you for this very good advice, and since your letter had many more helpful hints, I’m going to print the rest of your valuable pet pointers soon. Heloise

Dear Readers: Teresa Timmons of Fort Worth, Texas, sent a photo of her cat, Sweet-Tea, drinking iced tea from a glass sitting on the table. Teresa says, “Sweet-Tea got her name because she loves iced tea and will happily drink it up if a glass is left unattended.” To see Sweet-Tea lapping it up, visit www .Heloise.com. Heloise

Dear Heloise: I’m a kitty walker. I discovered that my indoors-only kitten, Rosie, loves to ride in or on anything. I attached a pull rope to her wheeled pet carrier, and we had a little wagon. After pulling her around the house, we tested it outside, and she loved it.

Now we cruise the neighborhood and walk/ride local trails. We meet interesting people and their dogs. I am smugly proud to be a kitty walker. An added benefit is that Rosie does not fear the carrier when it is vet time. Burdette Connell, Durham, N.C.

SBlt Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to (210) HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com.

King Features Syndicate