When she was a kitten she was fine, but then one day she decided she hated the vet. She'll get into her carrier with no problems, and the car ride there is fine. Then the second we walk in the door she starts screaming... not growling or hissing, but screams like a human being murdered. It's the worst sound ever. It's really loud and really embarrassing. It sucks because she absolutely won't let anyone touch her so if she needs to be looked at it's impossible! I know she's scared, but my other cat doesn't do this. Is there anything I can do to keep her from going nuts? I swear the vet dreads when I come.
2006-12-01 18:58:31 · 11 answers · asked by two_kee_kees 4 in Pets ➔ Cats
Single Dude... I'm a responsible pet owner, so stopping vet visits would not be an option.
2006-12-01 19:03:16 · update #1
I'd agree with the trying to take her a few times when she's well so that she doesn't necessarily associate it with bad things happening to her ... I used this method years ago with a dog who absolutely hated going to the vets.
I also agree with the Bach Flower Remedy suggestion ... maybe the Rescue Remedy one. Just a drop or two before you try to take her - it does seem to make a difference with some animals.
I breed Bengals & regularly take kittens to the vets for their first vaccinations. Went through a stage of having awful problems ... wild kittens, wriggling, screaming, scratching ... totally freaking out. I've changed the way I approach this now & things are a lot better.
I keep calm, I do not anticipate any problems. I no longer restrain the kittens for their vaccinations, they just get placed on their blanket on the table & watched so that they don't fall off whilst the vet & I chat for a few minutes, they're then petted & talked to, examined gently & then vaccinated. It's wonderful. I put it down to the fact that I am not tensed up & anticipating problems ...
So, maybe if you took some rescue remedy too & just didn't think about how your cat will react whilst you are there, don't care or get embarrassed about the noise she makes & just relax, then it may make a difference. Especially if you're only taking her in for a few minutes to get her used to going there & nothing bad happening.
What does your vet suggest?
Good luck
2006-12-02 01:23:39 · answer #1 · answered by Solow 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What ever you do do NOT gove your cat tylenol or motrin. Both can cause liver toxiciticy which can be fatal. Talk to your vet and see if a mild tranqualizer might be in order. Also. when you bring Kitty in for an exam try to bring a stool sample with you (out of the litter box). This will help minimize her stress. If your Kitty is a spayed cat and is kept COMPLETLY indoors, discuss with your vet what shots are REALLY needed. The FELV FIP may not be. Also if Kitty is over a year old and has already had a the 1st year rabies shots, next shots should be a 3 year booster, thus minimizing her trips. Also, as mentioned before, by taking a stool sample to the vets office (if a fecal float for worms is the only thing needed) Kitty can stay at home in leisure! Good luck!
2006-12-02 09:37:06 · answer #2 · answered by jetratkat 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe you could bring her to the vet a few times and sit in the waiting room to show her that the vet clinic isnt a "bad" place. Ask the clinic to see if thats okay with them, but it may help her get used to it all. A lot of times the cats can "smell" the other cats being sick or scared and that is what they react to. When you take her on these mock visits, give her treats and talk to her like nothing is wrong; or with a quiet voice. You could also spray her cage with Feliway which is supposed to help them relax.
Good luck to you...I think you are a good owner to still take her to the vet thru all this. Dont worry about what the vet thinks, they are there to help your pet.
2006-12-02 03:26:25 · answer #3 · answered by Cariad 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
try to find a vet who will come to Ur home.
also, habituate the cat to a 'bag' for restraint: it can be used as a toy, so getting Kitty used to being bagged to be petted and cuddled, or just rocked about and played with, is a good way to get her DeSensitized / ClassicallyConditioned to like the bag, at home.
then, if U cannot find a mobile vet, at least Kitty can be examined safely!!
# 3: buy Feliway spray; put it at cheek-ht on her carrier, and let her go in and out at will, NOT putting her in, but letting her enter to rest or hide. PLAY with her in the crate: flick a toy in and out of the openings, so she can hide inside and attack it.
Feliway can also be spritzed on her bedding, 'Bag' for exams/games, etc.
CATNIP: if Ur kitty loves it, GIVE HER SOME at the vet's office. GO THERE when U do *not* have an appt; walk in, give Kitty some catnip inside her carrier, 5 mins of sitting in the waiting room, get outta Dodge.
the more happy experiences she has AT the vet's with no scary things, the more she has to balance opposite the frights.
take her in w/no appt, give her some tiny bits of tuna, read a magazine article, GET OUT. no bad stuff, just a short visit. Ammo to make her feel less freaked the next time.
2006-12-02 03:25:04 · answer #4 · answered by leashedforlife 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Maybe its worth a shot to buy one of those calming flower essenses they sell at pet stores made specifically to help calm cats in preparation for vet visit or trips or for when they are stressed in the environment.
Also, do you cover the cat carrier with a towel or blanket when you take kitty to the vet? I find that "leaving kitty in the dark" helps keep cat calm at the vets'.
2006-12-02 07:31:03 · answer #5 · answered by Phoebhart 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Buy Bach Flower Resuce Remedy. You can get it at most health food stores, Whole Foods, etc. It is safe for animals and people. It is soothing and if you gave your cat a bit before going to the vet I imagine she would be much calmer. I flew across country with my cat in a sherpa bag and everyone told me to sedate her with medication but I just gave her Rescue Remedy and she was as mellow as can be the entire flight. Good luck.
2006-12-02 04:05:36 · answer #6 · answered by Joy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
hey your cat remembers the place before you think he knows, you get him in that carrier and the further it gets away he knows he's going to be getting some needles or maybe he feels ill but cant tell you in certain ways, the closer you get to the vet he sences that feeling it's going to hurt like the time that it first acted like this( there is the solution:) remember back to the first time he freeked ,if you cant do this then just keep him as calm as long as possible
2006-12-02 03:12:10 · answer #7 · answered by rattagous70 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hahaha my cats fine at the vet but on the drive there whewww he's a screamer. anyways, my friends cat is like they used to have to wrap her in a towel to even clip her nails. but the vet said to give her half a pill or advil or tylenol, crap...i cant remember. but give her half a pill about 30-45 minutes before going to the vet. I guess its supposed to melow them out. it was motrain...i just remember. so give half a pill of motrain 30-45 minutes and she should be good.
Now making the take the pill thats the tricky part. My cat got hut and i had to give him pills, he hated it, it was such a strugle cause they'll spit it out. But the vet just told me to grab him put the pill in his mouth and kind of claps his mouth shut for a few minutes cause that will force him to swallow it.
2006-12-02 03:56:33 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course she screams, that is the most logical reaction. What I don't get is, my cat has been there 4 times for painful operations from eating stuff she can't digest, and each time she goes, it's like the most neutral place in the world.
2006-12-02 03:01:19 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
lol, my dog gets overly excited when she goes to the vet. The vet's love how she "smiles" at them lol. but it's very embarrassing for me....The best advice I can give is to tire her out as much as possible before the visit.
2006-12-02 03:01:24 · answer #10 · answered by Simmy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋