Any vet tips?

**dina** · 12-28-2005, 12:39 AM

It's that time of year again. Time for Hershey cat's annual vet visit -- oh joy. Tomorrow afternoon. It seems that every year it's a big ordeal for all concerned -- her, us and the vet. We're as ready as we every will be -- her toenails are clipped and she wants her "daddy" when she's upset so Bob will hold her -- I drive. We learned a couple of years ago to go to the far corner of the waiting room -- less chance of close encounters of the canine kind. I don't like doctors either so I really feel for her and it is very hard for me that we have to hold her down if the doc needs to do anything.

Any cat people out there with great tips for making vet visits less of an ordeal?

**SewCrafty** · 12-28-2005, 01:25 AM

Can you put her in a carrier or even a box, just cut some small holes (only big enough that her paws can fit through). Cats are much more comfortable if they are in a tight dark place, it makes them feel more secure. If your vet's office has lots of dogs in the waiting room and they make her nervous, I would go in and tell the receptionist you are there and leave her in the car with hubby. You can go out and get them when your turn is up. No sense making her any more upset than necessary.

If you are uncomfortable holding her for shots or whatever, tell the vet, that is what he/she has lab tech's and helpers for. They know the correct way to hold her so she feels secure and won't get injured or injure anyone else if she tends to lash out or bite.

Soon as the office visit is over, I take mine right back out to the car, then go in and pay the bill. When they are done, they want OUT of there now!

I feel the same way about doctors' myself and I am terrified of needles, but in the long run once a year check up and shots is the best thing we can do for our kids. Good luck and I hope all goes well for all of you.

**MandiDawn** · 12-28-2005, 09:07 AM

I do the same thing with my dogs - leave them in the car until it's their turn, then take them right back out to the car while I go back and pay the bill. Most vets are very understanding about this.

Other than that, I just want to say good luck - I hope kitty isn't to tramautized.

**dina** · 12-28-2005, 06:47 PM

She was so good today -- I'm so proud! We took her baby blankie -- I think we've got a winner there. She has her claws and the vet is a bit afraid of them, so we wrapped her up in the blankie with only the parts she needed to examine exposed. DH always takes her on out to the car as soon as the doc is finished while I wait for her allergy medicine and pay the bill.

We go to a large state of the art vet clinic and their waiting room is really good. It's huge with the benches in little nooks so there is some privacy and plenty of room to get away from most of the traffic.

Anyway Hershey even let the doc get close enough to look at her eyes. Way to go Hersh!

**SewCrafty** · 12-29-2005, 03:12 AM

Glad it was a good visit for Hershey and both of you too.

**dina** · 12-29-2005, 09:31 AM

We had a couple of close calls in the waiting room. I was checking Hershey in and noticed a woman talking to Bob with four little boys following her. She had never seen a cat out like that without being in a carrier -- we don't believe in cages. But she was respectful and didn't get in Hershey's face and her boys stayed behind her. Hershey doesn't mind strangers as long as they don't move too fast or get too close. Then a woman came out of an exam room close to where we were waiting with a puppy who took out on a full run straight toward Hershey. I just happened to be alert and able to move fast yesterday and I jumped up and held the blankie right in front of Hershey to block the view and talked to her quietly and tickled her ears. I don't think she even noticed the dog. The woman with the dog just stood there laughing saying she had hoped Hershey would throw a hissy fit because that's just "so funny." Stupid woman.

Normally when that kind of thing happens Hershey would be permanantly attached to the top of Bob's head. But she did good. That's why I'm so proud of her.

For some reason vets seem to be afraid of Hershey which only makes things worse -- it's giving her the upper hand. But when we remember we have to take charge and make Hershey as comfortable as possible we do okay. It's just hard because she is so healthy we only do this once a year -- for the county.