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Post by cheryl on May 11, 2010 21:33:05 GMT
any tips on making a routine vet trip less stressful? I have Lexi and Molly at the vets today for an injection. they were late for their boosters so i had to start the full course again so 2 injections. Lexi normally is my easiest cat to manage, she's so laid back. well today she was so upset at the vet trip. I took Molly out to get her jab 1st, then Lexi. to my horror Lexi stank she'd wet in the cat box so her back end and tail was soggy. i assume this was through fear...it was a job getting her out of the box. she dived into my arms for a cuddle while the vet went to get the injections. you could tell she was looking for an escape route, last jab she dived for the window, which had bars on it and was thankfully locked. After her jab today my daughter picked up the cat box and Lexi lept off the vets table, into the box. the box was still in mid air , luckily my little girl did not drop in. Lexi cried all the way home. she's due back for a healthy cat check in 6 months, so time to get some ideas. I don't think it's a fear of the box as if i leave it out she likes to sleep in it. she's fine now, i gave her time to calm down then cleaned her back end for her.. the cat boxes have one end where they can see out, i wonder if a box with no see through door bit might help her? or will she fret even more if she can't see out?
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Post by Val on May 13, 2010 16:37:16 GMT
I usually use a wire cage type carrier that opens at the top. It is much easier to get the cats out as you just put your hands in and pick the cat out. As some cats are frightened seeing the quick movements of cars wizzing past, or dogs in the waiting room, one of our members has made us some covers to cover the carriers all round. This can make a cat much quieter and feel safer being in the dark. If we catch a feral cat we always cover the trap as quickly as possible to calm the cat down. Next time you take your cats to the vets, try putting a blanket over the carrier, keeping it dark inside. This may help.
A tip for everyone if they have trouble putting their cat into the carrier. Have the cats head in front of your upper arm, slide your hand under the cat towards the bum and push the cat into the box. As they cannot see out of their bottoms, they are usually in the box before they realise it.
Tip on getting a cat out of the box at the vets, make sure you have a small blanket or towel in the carrier and just tip the carrier on its end. Out the cat comes, along with the bedding. It also soaks up any urine that is passed.
I remember once taking in about 10 cats and a dog to the vets for jabs and every one of the cats either peed, vomited or pood on the way. The surgery had to lend me a deodorant spray for the car. They were also good enough to give me a carrier bag for the soiled bedding, washed out the carriers and covered the bases with incontinence papers. Even though Lucy, the dog, was terrified she didn't make any mistakes. She seems to have grown up. She used to have terrible car sickness when she was young. The check list before taking her out was leader, poop bags, water and tissues to clear up the sick.
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Post by cheryl on May 14, 2010 1:01:56 GMT
i'll try covering her carrier next time, hopefully it will make the journey less stressful. Our vet rooms all have a sliding door in the room, where they pop out the back to get medication. All 3 cats freaked when those doors were moved, i think next time injections are due i'll ask if they could have the stuff in the room before we go in so they dont stress when the doors is slid to. i had Martha there today (i can't manage 3 together), she was totally different to Lexi, she came out of her box no problem, walked around the table as if to say "hi", but then when that sliding door was used she jumped and looked frightened. getting my 3 in the carrier is breeze, they love it, i open the door and they just walk into it ;D. Maybe it's because i always get it out a few days before a planned vet trip and leave it out for a few days after , they know its not scary, well untill on "THAT" day when i actually close the door. Lexi is sleeping in one now.
wow i could not imagine taking 10 cats that had all pooped, wee'd or puked to the vets. 1 very smelly and wet lexi was quite enough
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Post by Chris - Cats Protection on May 15, 2010 8:16:13 GMT
Hi Cheryl
One more thing comes to mind..
Rescue Remedy..
Either give them a little via syringe an hour prior to leaving or if that is going to stress them out, a couple of drops on each front paw, so they may lick and clean it up..
Long time since I have needed to use it, but it did work wonders.
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Post by cheryl on May 16, 2010 12:04:15 GMT
i was wondering about rescue remedy, an online friend of mine used it for her cats at times. Lexi will be no bother taking something like that, she loves being fussed over even if it means she gets some sort of "medication"
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