Happy new year - without any fear — Blog — Inuvet

Stories from the field

We all have stories from the field that we'll never forget. There is a real rush around Christmas and New Year. Everyone wants to get hold of a miraculous calming preparation for their pet, almost as if it were the winter sales. For many people, the contemplative Christmas period is usually the start of a surgical subscription for us vets, from foreign bodies and swallowed angel hair to tinsel from the Christmas tree and intoxications from the (dark) chocolate cookies grandma gave.

At the end of this stressful time, it's not just us who are looking forward to a peaceful transition into the new year, but also our four-legged patients. To make this possible for them, we and our TFAs are well-prepared to give the patient owners the best possible advice to everyone, from cautious and always prepared patient owners to "last minute" visits late at night. Our dear patient owners couldn't be more different. But isn't it precisely this variety that gives us happy surprises every day?

Patient owner types in the New Year madness

Always ready - a particularly accurate species. They start preparing in the balmy spring months for the upcoming time of loud New Year's Eve firecrackers and make room for all the preparations they can find in our home by then.
Alcohol is the solution - this species, which has not yet been forgotten, also makes the long journey to our practice every year to make sure that a beer or two is okay for their anxious four-legged companion on New Year's Eve.
From appointment to appointment - a very dedicated species, they move around restlessly to make all the preparations for the harsh winter ahead. As eager as they are, every year they forget to collect the anxiety-relieving preparations and visit us in the practice just before the deadline. Now we have to conjure up a fast-acting elixir.
From the power of nature - this is a long-established species, their knowledge is passed down from generation to generation. This is why they are exceptionally well-versed in the art of herbal healing and procure the right phytotherapeutic mixture from us before the onset of the cold season.
What helps me also helps my animal - this family species takes to heart the family principle that has been handed down over the years, which says that only preparations that you are familiar with may be used. They collect known preparations from secret hiding places in the evenings.

New Year's Eve and animal's fear of fireworks

Nowadays, one in two dogs is suffers from a fear of noise. This mainly affects dogs from the age of one to three. For dogs with a severe fear of noises, it is advisable to pursue therapy in the long term. This can take the form of systematic desensitization, counter-conditioning or relaxation training together with the pet owner. Studies show that noise anxiety can be reduced through targeted training. Although this type of training takes a long time, it pays off.

Cats, large stable animals and pets kept outside can also get frightened by fireworks. If possible, cats should be kept indoors temporarily. Large animals are best taken from the pastures into the stable. Whenever possible, all pets should be temporarily kept indoors in a cool, dark place until New Year's Eve is over. It is generally helpful if you yourself radiate calm and composure. Our four-legged friends are very sensitive to social signals and pick up on our mood. If you are stressed yourself, the animals also become more insecure – and if you remain calm, this has a positive effect on the animal. As every animal reacts differently and anxiety can manifest itself in different ways, it is advisable to seek advice from a vet and have an individual anti-anxiety plan drawn up.

To provide additional support for pets on New Year's Eve, we have compiled a list of short-term measures and walk recommendations for our patient owners.

Short-term measures on New Year's Eve

Together- Animals that are afraid should not be left alone.
Distraction - Background noises such as the radio or television can help to distract animals from outside noises.
Quiet rooms - Create a place for your pet to stay - preferably in the quietest room.
Protection - "Calming Caps" or "Mutt Muffs" can be used as hearing or visual protection.
Anti-anxiety - CBD oils and calming phytotherapeutics can help your pet to become calmer.
Retreat - Prepare a hiding place for your pet. For example, hang a blanket over the chair or table.

Walking your pet on New Year's Eve

Leash- Keep your dogs consistently on a leash. It happens again and again that dogs run away out of fear.
Timing- Walk the last round well before dusk to avoid any fireworks.
New Year- Watch out for flying glass and the remains of fireworks, especially in the morning. There is a risk of injury here.

Support for our anxious patients

As our patients could not be more different, it is also good that there are many different approaches to be able to respond individually to the needs of our four-legged friends.

CBD and hemp extracts – have a positive effect on relieving anxiety and restlessness.
Valerian root – can be used to calm anxious, nervous and restless animals. The effect is partly based on the inhibition of the breakdown of neurotransmitters (GABA).
St. John's wort - its active ingredients, such as hyperforin and flavonoids, relieve nervous restlessness and have a strong mood-enhancing effect.
Hop cones - The bitter substances humulone/lupuion, essential oils and flavonoids in hop cones calm the psyche and have a sleep-promoting effect.
Pheromones - Relaxing pheromones make a positive contribution to well-being and help animals to stay relaxed in stressful situations.
Diazepam - Belongs to the group of long-acting benzodiazepines and has anxiolytic, anticonvulsant and sedative effects.