The Truth About Pre-Visit Pharmaceuticals for Cats and Dogs

Pre-Visit Pharmaceuticals: Busting Myths and Supporting Your Pet’s Wellbeing

At Alicia Pet Care Center, we work hard to create a low-stress and welcoming environment for all of our patients. Even with our best efforts, some dogs and cats are anxious and avoidant when it comes to their healthcare. 

Unfortunately, we can’t explain to our pets that the vaccines, blood draws, x-rays, blood pressures, ear treatments, etc. that the veterinarian recommends are in their best interest and that if they just sit verrrry still for a few minutes it will all be over before they know it.

So how can we help our fearful, anxious, or aggressive patients still get the care they need and deserve?

There is no one-size-fits-all approach, because each pet presents a unique case, but pre-visit pharmaceuticals (PVPs) typically play a pivotal role in safely and ethically treating our patients. We wanted to take some time to combat some common myths surrounding PVPs.

But before we get into that, let’s discuss the most commonly prescribed PVPs. These medications are used to alleviate—not eliminate—a pet’s stress response. They are meant to be used in conjunction with low-stress handling, at-home training, positive reinforcement via treats/toys/praise/pets at the visit, and sometimes even injectable sedation.

They are important tools to help us deliver thorough and compassionate care to our furry family members.

Common Pre-Visit Pharmaceuticals (PVPs)

There are several medications veterinarians commonly use to help pets feel more relaxed and comfortable before a visit. The right choice depends on your pet’s medical history, temperament, health status, and the type of procedure or visit planned. Here are the most frequently prescribed PVPs at our practice:

• Gabapentin: Originally developed as an anti-seizure and pain relief medication, gabapentin has gained popularity in veterinary medicine for its anti-anxiety effects—especially in cats. It works by calming overactive nerve signals and often causes mild sedation. 

• Trazodone: A serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitor (SARI), trazodone is used most often in dogs. It helps reduce anxiety and promote calm behavior, often without causing full sedation. It pairs well with gabapentin in certain cases and is often used for car ride anxiety, post-op rest, or exam stress. 

• Acepromazine: Acepromazine is a tranquilizer that is now prescribed less frequently. That’s because while it causes sedation, it does not significantly reduce anxiety—and in some cases, pets may appear still or compliant but remain fearful inside. It can be useful in specific situations, especially when combined with other medications, but it’s no longer our first-line choice for most anxious patients.

• Melatonin: Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone that helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle. It is sometimes used as a mild calming agent as part of the “Chill Protocol.”

• Dexmedetomidine (Sileo®): This is an oral gel applied to the gums, commonly used for dogs with situational anxiety (e.g., fireworks, veterinary visits). It’s absorbed quickly through mucous membranes and is especially helpful for short-term, specific stressors. It can also be used in combination with other PVPs.

Every pet is different. Some require one medication, some need a combination, and some may respond poorly to a certain drug but do well with another. That’s why we tailor our approach with careful planning and often use trial doses at home.

Common Myths About PVPs

1. “I’m embarrassed my pet needs a PVP. The staff must think I’m a bad pet parent.”

Fact: Please don’t feel embarrassed, you are doing the exact opposite of being a bad pet parent. Choosing to medicate your pet appropriately in order to reduce their stress and fear is a compassionate and responsible decision. I use gabapentin for my personal cats!

Veterinary staff members aren’t judging you, we’re grateful that you’re open to helping us make your pet’s experience as positive and humane as possible. Trust me, we see a lot of pets every day who benefit from PVPs, and we often wish more pet parents would consider them sooner.

2. "My veterinarian told me to give the medication 2 hours before the visit, but my pet is more sleepy once we get home. Can I give it 4-5 hours before the visit instead?"

Fact: Trazodone and gabapentin typically take 30–60 minutes to take effect, with peak effect occurring around 2-3 hours post-dose. Some owners will call and report that their pets seem more affected once they return home. That’s totally normal! Most pets will (and should) appear most affected at home because they aren’t experiencing the same level of stress to rouse them from their mellowed state. Every pet has their own reaction to the medication, so it’s important to work with your veterinarian to determine the best timing and dosing for your specific pet.

3. “I don’t like how my pet acts on the medication(s). They don’t seem like themselves.” 

Fact: We totally understand this point. It can be strange to see our pets so relaxed and in some cases sleepy or unsteady at home vs. their normal playful selves. While these medications typically peak in effectiveness after 2-3 hours, some pets may feel the effects for many hours afterwards. 

When clients bring up this normal emotional reaction, I like to remind them that we are using these medications for the pet’s own health and welfare. While a veterinary visit can be as short as 30-60 minutes, the emotional response of some patients is extreme and distressing—to themselves, the family, and the team members that care about them. When these medications are recommended, it’s because we want to ethically and safely provide care to our patients. 

4. "The medication isn’t working, my pet still acts nervous."

Fact: PVPs can reduce anxiety, but it's rarely a complete solution. They work best in conjunction with behavior modification or training for lasting improvement. Some patients require a combination of medications. In other cases, pets may still need injectable sedation to safely and ethically perform thorough examinations and treatments. This is especially true for procedures that involve discomfort or where safety is a concern.

5. “My previous veterinarian prescribed my pet medication because they were scared of them and didn’t know how to handle them, but my pet isn’t aggressive.” 

Fact: The team at Alicia Pet Care Center strives to perform low-stress handling techniques whenever possible. It’s important to the pet, and their devoted technicians, that they can be safely controlled without excessive force or extreme duress. These medications are prescribed to alleviate stress and to calm patients, not to stop aggressive behavior. For many patients, aggressive behavior stems from fear. Our goal is to use these medications to alleviate anxiety in our patients well before the pet begins to show signs of extreme anxiety and fear (ie. growling, lunging, biting). 

Those of us working in veterinary medicine do so because we love animals. Our recommendations will always come from a place of compassion for our patients and concern for the safety of our staff. These medications aren’t prescribed because we don’t know how to handle pets—they’re recommended because we’ve seen first-hand how beneficial PVPs are in helping us provide thorough, effective, and humane care. 

Some Quick Tips for Reducing Stress During Your Pet’s Visit:

• Bring their favorite treats or toys to help distract or reward them during their visit.

• Stay calm. This may sound silly, but dogs and cats can absolutely pick up and feed off of our own fear and stress.

• Schedule “Happy Visits” – short, no-treatment visits designed to create positive associations. More on that here.

• Don’t forget to give their PVPs as prescribed by your veterinarian!

So… should your pet receive a PVP before their next visit?

That’s a conversation worth having with your veterinarian! Not every patient needs one every time, but many benefit from them more than owners initially realize. Over time, some pets even “graduate” from PVPs after enough positive experiences. Others may need them long-term to maintain low-stress handling and quality care.

There’s no shame in using medication to help your pet cope—we use tools like this because we care, not because we’re giving up on behavior.

On a personal note, I use gabapentin for my personal cats and it’s made a world of a difference for both car rides and vet visits. 

If you’re unsure whether PVPs are right for your pet, don’t hesitate to ask! We’re happy to talk through options, explain expected outcomes, and continue to provide support as we work together to improve your pet’s healthcare experience. 

Alicia Pet Care Center is a privately owned, general practice animal hospital located in Mission Viejo, CA. We have 10 veterinarians, many of whom are Fear Free certified, to help anxious pets. You can book an appointment online or by calling 949-768-1313.