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Original poster

Has anyone been to a vet recently, how do they work now?

30 replies

Dogman2020 · 11/05/2020 10:00

I'm just wondering how it works taking your pet to a vet?

I have to take my cat and have been putting it off the last week, because I know the likelihood is she wont be coming home with me.

I read something that you cant be there when they put your animal down. You just say goodbye and hand them over and it just breaks my heart thinking i'd have to do that.

Just wondered if anyone had any experience, thanks

OP posts:
Monkeytapper · 11/05/2020 10:04

Our dog had their injections, they collected her from our car and took her in whilst I waited in car until they brought her back to me. Unfortunately I think you will have to do the same and say your goodbyes from the car .

lightyearsahead · 11/05/2020 10:08

Same as Monkeytapper, picked our cat up and delivered back to the car.
I don't think you would be allowed in.

Ifeel1000yearsold · 11/05/2020 10:10

Some vets are allowing people to hold their animals when they are PTS and wearing PPE to protect themselves. Check with your vet.

oohnicevase · 11/05/2020 10:16

I always have my animals pts at home . Could you ask if that's an option even out the front ? With masks etc ? Obvs costs more but it's worth it .

TooTrueToBeGood · 11/05/2020 10:16

My vet is not allowing anyone into the clinic but that's not to say they are all following exactly the same protocols. You really need to check with your own ver. That said, if my pet was in such distress/pain that PTS was the right option I would not delay for the sake of not being able to be there. It would break my heart but I would extend their suffering for something that is more for my benefit than theirs.

It's really tragic but you have to put the needs of your cat first. Speak to your vet though and take their advice.

TooTrueToBeGood · 11/05/2020 10:17

wouldn't extend not woud obv

TheShepherdsCrown · 11/05/2020 10:17

OP I can’t remember where I read it but someone had their pet pts in the back of their car. The vet came out to the car park and gave the injection so that the owner could be with their pet. And another lady was allowed to stay with her pet in room at the vets that she accessed from a separate entrance. It may be worth asking if they have something set up for this situation.

Toilenstripes · 11/05/2020 10:18

We wore masks and gloves and held on to our cat when he was euthanised. The vet was very kind and understanding.

TheDogsMother · 11/05/2020 10:20

First of all Flowers for you and your lovely cat. Its heartbreaking having to face this.

I've sadly just had this with my dog. We spoke to the vet on the phone as the ongoing treatment wasn't working so they asked me to bring my dog in where they would see him in the car. Thy decided they would need to scan so took him in while we waited outside. They came back out with him and told us and explained the results which were not good. It was an old boy and it was clear that he would not recover so we decided we should do the kindest thing there and then. The vet offered to put him to sleep in a small garden area there but our dog has always loved the car so we decided to do it there. The vet had already put a canula in and she attached a long extendable line. She administered the drug from one side of the car while we held our dog from the other. He was looking at us as he went to sleep and it was very peaceful and calm. He was usually very vet phobic but he was incredibly calm. Perhaps he knew it was time too. Could you maybe do something like this with your cat in a carrier, in the car where she can see you ?

Original poster
Dogman2020 · 11/05/2020 10:21

Thank you all, im in tears now.

I dont think she's in pain, she's still eating, moving she seems to be breathing a lot more deeply though and im probably fearing the worst as she's 16.

Ill call the vets and see what I can do, the last thing I want for her is to be in pain.

OP posts:
TheDogsMother · 11/05/2020 10:24

I think that was me Shepherds. I was so worried how it was going to be particularly given our dog's phobia about vets. In the end it was surprisingly calm and dignfied. The car was his favourite place and we'd covered so many miles together in it so it seemed fitting somehow. I appreciate a cat may not feel the same way but perhaps a way for to owner to stay close.

Windyatthebeach · 11/05/2020 10:26

We had our dcat pts last week. Dh was allowed to be with him...

Springersrock · 11/05/2020 10:26

Our vet isn’t allowing anyone inside the surgery and are meeting people in their cars, taking their pet inside and then bringing it back out

That said, my friend had to have her little dog put to sleep last weekend and they allowed one person wearing a mask in with her

Original poster
Dogman2020 · 11/05/2020 19:47

I did end up calling the vets and they asked to see her as I explained her breathing.

She ended up being put to sleep and I wasn’t able to even say goodbye properly, let alone go into the room with her. I got to see her 1 last time in her cage through the window of the vets. 😔. She had a massive tumour in her lungs and the vet said it was the kindest thing to do.

Doesn’t help me feeling completely horrible for handing her over to a stranger though.

OP posts:
Windyatthebeach · 11/05/2020 19:50

Sorry for your loss op.
Our poor dcat was very ill although vet had no idea why....
Flowers

pumpkinpie01 · 11/05/2020 19:54

@Dogman2020 sending you big hugs , our dog was pts 3 weeks ago so I feel your pain it's horrible 😢

underneaththeash · 11/05/2020 19:55

Dogman2020 - I'm so sorry, it must have been so upsetting.

Our vet is open, but they ask you to drop the pet at the door and then take inside. I asked to come in as our cat is not very fond of the vet and is likely to scarper and I just went in too.

TooTrueToBeGood · 11/05/2020 19:56

Heart breaking OP. Take comfort in knowing you did what was best for her and that you gave her a good life and a loving home.

Veterinari · 11/05/2020 20:04

@Dogman2020

Firstly - well done for making such a difficult decision to end her suffering. Secondly - I assume she was sedated for X-rays? In which case the vet would have suggested PTS whilst under sedation regardless of coronavirus to avoid her waking up and then being stressed again, so you can be assured that she would have been oblivious and well sedated and full of 'happy' drugs prior to PTS.

The most important thing is that she had 16 brilliant years with you and a quick and peaceful death. You gave her a wonderful life Thanks

Connie222 · 11/05/2020 20:07

Oh I’m so sorry OP Flowers

I had my 15 year old cat PTS at new year. Huge tumour in his mouth, nothing they could do and it grew so much he couldn’t eat. He was always petrified of the vet, but that day he was so calm, didn’t even flinch when they put in the Canula and was purring while I was holding him. He’d never purred at the vet before, was always trying to take someone’s eye out usually. I took a lot of comfort from that.

TimeWastingButFun · 11/05/2020 20:14

My vet are not doing non-urgent visits. But my dog was in distress with a recurring ear infection. I booked, they met me in the car park and took the dog off me, then returned him with medication and I paid over the phone when I got home.

TimeWastingButFun · 11/05/2020 20:15

Oh no I didn't see the rest of your post. That's tough, I'm sorry Thanks

TheDogsMother · 12/05/2020 00:05

@Dogman2020 I'm so sorry Thanks

Original poster
Dogman2020 · 12/05/2020 08:26

Thankyou for all your kind words and hugs to all those who’ve been through it recently too.

After a good cry alone I drove home and had to tell my 7yr old his best friend wasn’t coming home so it broke me all over again. Sad

OP posts:
pumpkinpie01 · 12/05/2020 14:51

That's so horrible , we were exactly the same our son is nearly 6 and we had had our dog 12 years so our son had never known her not being around. Don't feel you have to be brave in front of your son you really don't ,he will know that you're sad have hugs and cry together. There is never a good time for a pet to go but I think the current situation makes it all worse as our emotions are heightened . So sorry for you x