Stress in client‐owned dogs related to clinical exam location: a randomised crossover trial

Objectives To quantify the effects of wellness examinations conducted in the common treatment area on fear, anxiety and stress indicators in client‐owned dogs. Materials and Methods The study was a prospective, non‐blinded, randomised, two‐period two‐treatment crossover trial. Client‐owned healthy adult dogs presenting for wellness or dental evaluations at a single veterinary teaching hospital received three consecutive rapid assessment exams; a baseline exam (owner present), followed by two identical physical exams differing in location and presented in random order (isolated exam room with owner present versus common treatment area, owner absent). Primary endpoints were a cumulative fear, anxiety and stress score for five standardised behaviours and heart rate (bpm) measured for each exam. Results Forty‐four dogs were enrolled. Modal fear, anxiety and stress score at baseline was 1 of 5, indicating none to mild stress. Both fear, anxiety and stress and heart rates measured in the common treatment area were clinically elevated relative to assessments conducted in the exam room. Relative to baseline, animals examined in the common treatment area showed increased fear, anxiety and stress (+2.6 units, se 0.5; P