What's SOP in the UK? - can U stay with Ur pet, or does the staff take them "in the back"?

My vet in NL has always allowed me to stay, in fact most of the time I am the extra pair of hands, holding the dog, aiding with exams etc. Ive been to the xray with them and to the echo. I dont know why any vet would want you to be away from your animal after all you are the one who speaks for them.

 

I've stayed with Jasper for injections, a stitch being put in, a nail being cauterised, and when he was sedated because he had a stick stuck in his mouth. One time - I think when he had his premed before being neutered - they tried to lead him off to do it but he wouldn't leave me so I came too.

On one occasion he ripped a hole in his shoulder and the vet decided to stitch it under sedation. She suggested I left but I asked to stay and she was happy with that - maybe some owners would have been anxious and the dog would have picked up on it, but hopefully she could see that I wasn't going to get worked up but if I left, Jasper certainly would!

After a bit of trimming, she realised that she really needed him under full anaesthetic and then I did have to leave - I believe it would have been illegal for me to stay because of the drugs used.

As far as I know this is standard for vets in the UK - if I had a vet who wanted to separate J and me when I could see that it was very much not in J's best interests, I'd change vets.

 

My vet lets me stay. He used to let me stay with my horse too

 

I've stayed with Teddy during vaccinations and examinations but he'll be going in on his own for surgey.

 

I stay for most things because he's calmer. But my vet's a friend and I would trust him to do anything to mine. (Like Nanny 71 I stayed with my horse when I had him- the equine vet wouldn't let me leave because my horse was a nightmare with men. They probably had his mugshot up in the vet students' common room under 'Dangerous to Approach'.)

 

A new vet said my horse was a difficult to handle, a more senior vet said she would be OK if I stayed with her. He was completely correct, she had caught her side on a gate bolt and needed sutures. The new vet was terrified every time he had to come out to her. Strangely he is now Dudleys vet obviously finds a 9kg dog easier to handle than a 16.2 hand horse.