Empathy demonstrated through eye contact and engaging body language.

Shows attentive listening skills - e.g. nodding whilst they talk. Shows a consistently self assured but helpful manner. Acknowledges clients concerns with sincerity. Uses client's and animal's name through out and does not say 'the dog'. Use the correct pronouns for the animal.

Builds rapport with the client in a short space of time. Provides genuine reassurance. Shows understanding of the importance of the animal to the client. Encourages trust.

Lactation will occur during pseudopregnancy. Behavioural changes will also occur e.g. hoarding toys and household items and becoming aggressive when these are removed. Spaying will completely eliminate and/or prevent this provided the surgery is completed during Anoestrus (3 months after a season).

Removing the need to seclude the bitch when in heat. Irregular seasons can fuel the development of a pyometra.

Pyometra is a life threatening illness, which is prevented by spaying.

Around 50,000 dogs are abandoned each year in the UK (Dogs Trust).

Can demonstrate where using the model dog or pen and paper provided.

Non-absorbable skin sutures are used for optimal first intention healing and owner compliance.

Avoids using veterinary jargon / technical terms.

Use easily understandable words e.g. bleeding.

Ovarian remnants less likely in an ovariohysterectomy when compared to an ovariectomy when less experienced surgeons are operating. Provided all ovarian tissue is removed a 'stump' pyometra will not be a problem.

e.g., vomiting, diarrhoea

Most practices advise no food after 10pm the evening before the planned surgery or a light meal no later than midnight.

Reassure the client. Continue to use the animal's name.

Open questions can be used to confirm information has been received.

Checking verbal and non-verbal cues.