About a week ago, I took my cats (2 one year old males) to the vet to get their ears checked. I have a big carrier that I put them both in. Last time they were at the vet, they were there to get neutered and had to stay overnight. They hissed at each other several times when we took them home.
When I took them this time, they would not come out of the carrier. I opened the door to get them out, they started hissing at me and the vet. We had to physically take the carrier apart to get them out. We took Dante out, he was still hissing at the vet when she was trying to check him. She had to have a tech hold him while she checked him. Even after I took them home, they were still hissing and fighting with each other.
We have to take them to get their annual checkup/shots in a few month. I am afraid of what will happen when I take them back to the vet. Any advice on how to keep them calm so the vet can give them a proper check up?
2007-02-26 20:38:07 · 8 answers · asked by Mike T 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
My cats are good with strangers. We have friends over at our house a lot and our cats will go sit right next to them on the couch and want to be petted. They’ve NEVER acted like this at the vet before. I’m thinking they have bad memories from when they were there last time to be neutered.
2007-02-26 20:48:00 · update #1
I'll take them out of the carrier before the vet gets in the room next time. I honestly didn't think they were going to behave the way they did though. I like the idea about bandaging their feet so they don't scratch.
2007-02-26 20:54:15 · update #2
Dear Mike***
Something is not very "kosher" at your vet???????......
firstly, they have not forgotten the 'smell' of the vet, so they will usually be very quiet, stay absolutely still in their baskets until they see the vet. Your vet will be able to get them out of their carriers and they would either crawl to you, perhaps tuck their head under your arm and let the vet inject etc. whilst staying very close to you. If you have noticed, I have not mentioned ANY hissing at all, specially at the vet!!!!!
In South Africa, I do not have a technician to help for vaccinations etc.. The owners prefer, and so do I, to hold their own animals when having their vacc's etc.
Pleeeaaase try take them to another vet, preferably recommendations from your friends, and see if this happens again. You should not have to keep your pets calm before their check-up , vacc's they are normally quiet because they know what is up.!!!!!
luv peppa-anne
Univ. Lecturer*Veterinarian
p.s. Can you remember as a child the first time you went to the dentist??.................................. you did not move............................ at all.........................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They are not at all HAPPY with their vet!!!!!??? Yes they will hiss at each other after operations etc. It's that smeeeeeeellllllll!!
but get over it quickly, by eventually licking and preening .
2007-02-26 22:03:09 · answer #1 · answered by peppa-ann 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do Not for a second think that animals esp. cats don't remember being taken in a carrier/pet taxi to the vets. My ex & I had a black cat that the minute she saw the carrier, she knew what it meant.
It traumatized her so much, she would lose control of her bladder & sometimes bowels on the way. At first we thought it would be smart to put 2 different cats in a big carrier at once, since they were going in to be fixed. That was a big mistake, we had the same results, sort of like what you described happened to you. Since then, we realized it was best for them to put each in it's own carrier with a warm, old towel on the bottom for comfort. And to NEVER go without another person to help you.
While one drives, the other person talks to & comforts the pet.
You won't believe, what a difference the "buddy system" will do in helping you get your pets checked out safely. The vet examines one pet with one person helping hold/keeping it calm, the other person is holding the other pet waiting to be seen. With this, you never have to resort to trimming claws, bandaging claws, etc. Which can be more damaging, then beneficial.
2007-02-27 05:19:52 · answer #2 · answered by ccchevydude 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know what you mean, my cat after the operation is also very much afraid at the vet and attacks him. What I do, is take him out of the carrier before we get into the vet's room. But I have very good control of him, and when I hold him he stays calmly in my arms. During the check up or shots, i also hold him, it is better for him. And sometimes I also put a collar, like the ones they wear after an operation, so he can't bite. And I trim his nails, just in case, you could also wrap his feet with a small bandage to avoid scratching, like wearing socks..
2007-02-27 04:47:00 · answer #3 · answered by cpinatsi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the reason your cat is friendly when you have people over to your home is that it is their home environment. it is their territory and they feel safe there.
the vet is all new people, strange smells and a totally new environment. enough to freak any cat out.
what i do for my cat is i try and make his carrier as comfortable as possible. i have an old knit blanket in there because the hard plastic didn't look as comfortable. im sure he loves curling up on it and glaring at me from behind the bars as well lol
go to your local petstore and pick up a product called Feliway. it has chemicals in it that are calming to cats. its about $24-$35 for the bottle, but its definetely worth it. do not spray it on your cat! spray their carriers about 10 minutes beforehand, that way its still fresh. it should keep them calmer. also, try talking to them in a soothing voice and be as gentle with them as possible.
my vet allows me let my cat out of his carrier and walk around the room for a few minutes just so he can get used to things and take in some smells. this also helps calm him down.
good luck with the check up, don't let their fear discourage you from making sure they get the right medical attention.
2007-02-27 05:00:40 · answer #4 · answered by Danielle 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You might try some rescue remedy... it will clam them and easy the stress of the visit to the vet. You can also try a special treat like turkey baby food after vet visits only so they learn there is something to look forward to not fear!
2007-02-27 04:50:59 · answer #5 · answered by debcat76135 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
cats know they are in a wierd place when entering a vets office. They smell things we couldn't possibly smell, it frightens them terribly. Vets can handle it. don't bandage your cats feet, you might just have your cats taken away from you for animal cruelty
2007-02-27 13:55:37 · answer #6 · answered by katie d 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
make 2 trips == one with each cat.
2007-02-27 05:04:22 · answer #7 · answered by sweetness #1 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they will be like that with everyone they do not know when it comes to a check up
2007-02-27 04:41:02 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋