One of the perks of owning my own veterinary hospital is being able to make the protocols. One of them is to have an exam room dedicated to just cats. It sometimes looks like the cats think they’ve been abducted by aliens. I would like to help them change their minds about the visit.
The change can actually start at home. If the carriers are left out they can’t mean something scary will occur. When you periodically leave wonderful toys and treats in there, the cats will start to anticipate good things and seek out the carrier on a regular basis. The odd time they are placed in the carrier and taken somewhere, they will be more relaxed. A relaxed cat is much easier to examine.
The cat room has toys and a cat tree for them to hang out on. They are allowed to get used to the room by walking around. It is always best to let them go at their own pace when possible. A very important thing is to not shake them out of their carriers. Cats do not like to be treated like salt and pepper shakers. If they won’t come out on their own, taking the top off the carrier is easier.
Ideally, I like to do the physical exams on the exam table but some cats will have none of that. I have done exams on the floor, chair, cat tree, sink and counter. About three times a year I have to do the climb. I get up on the counter and do a complete physical and vaccinations while the cat is on top of the cupboard. They did not tell me about this maneuver in vet school!
Wish you were my vet!!! I made my mind up when you said you refuse to do convenient euthanasia. As a rescuer of Dobermans and Basenjis for years, I've come across some pretty messed up people. One Dobe owner had a 10 year old male that she wanted home that day or her husband was getting "rid" of it. Why? Because they were tired of his chain tearing their grass up! Like the dog had a choice? I went to get him and took him to my vet. The poor boy was loaded with heartworms, fleas, intestinal parasites, and didn't have a healthy tooth in his head. Regardless of his obvious neglect, he was the sweetest old man. All I could do was hold him and love him like my own while he peacefully went to sleep. That night, I said a prayer to my Dobes at the bridge to take care of him because he was family. One day I'll see him again as he should have always been.
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