Veterinarians avoid direct eye contact, looming postures, and forced restraint. They use treats, praise, and distraction techniques, performing exams wherever the animal is most comfortable, whether that is on the floor, in a lap, or inside the bottom half of a carrier. Behavioral Pharmacology
Upon check-in, staff are trained to assess the animal's emotional state. A "green" animal (loose, wagging) goes to the waiting room. A "yellow" animal (tense, whale eye) is moved to a quiet, separate room immediately. A "red" animal (shark fins, pinned ears) is scheduled for a "tech-only" sedation appointment first. A "green" animal (loose, wagging) goes to the waiting room
| Behavior | Primary Vet Rule-out | Behavioral Diagnosis | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | House soiling (dog) | UTI, Diabetes, Cushing's | Separation anxiety | | House soiling (cat) | FLUTD, Kidney disease | Litter box aversion | | Eating feces | Pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) | Obsessive compulsion | | Sudden hiding | Pain (dental/abdominal) | Fear/sensory decline | | Behavior | Primary Vet Rule-out | Behavioral