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Original poster

Cat injections? Do you all bother with them?

38 replies

meaningofnight · 19/01/2010 21:03

Are the annual booster injections really necessary? I ask because one of my cats just refuses to get in a carrying box and so it's really hard to get her to the vet's.

Last time my husband and son spent ages trying to put her in and they got really peed off and royally scratched and bitten.

I tried again with a new bigger box and lots of food treats but she just won't have it at any price.

So she has missed her booster. She goes outside, but not far (a bit lazy).

Does it matter is she remains un boostered?

OP posts:

MrsL123 · 19/01/2010 21:09

Yes! She might not go far but an infected cat could come into your garden, or she could even catch something up off the ground if an infected cat has been nearby. If it were me I certainly wouldn't chance it. If you go to the vet they will give you a sedative for her.

Original poster

meaningofnight · 19/01/2010 21:18

Oh thanks. That's a good idea. I didn't know you could get a sedative from the vet. I was thinking I might just try taking her in the car without the dreaded cat box (just on my lap) although last time she went in the car and escaped from her box she shed half her fur all over me in fear.

DH thinks booster is a scam dreamt up by money-grubbing vets (they are outrageously expensive here), but I don't want to risk her catching flu or whatever.

OP posts:

Jux · 19/01/2010 21:19

We can't afford to get them vaccinated atm.

Can you wrap her in a towel and just shove her in?

Onlyaphase · 19/01/2010 21:23

I get my cats done annually - catteries won't take cats without up to date boosters. I'm assuming that this isn't an issue for you though?

Wouldn't recommend taking a cat in a car without a carrier - my bolshy, makes-vets-bleed cat has taken to crapping in protest at being in the car, and it is a lot easier to clear up a cat box than a car. I do find that when trying to get a stroppy cat into a box getting them in at the first attempt is vital, else we just have a spitty hissy crosspatch to deal with.

Original poster

meaningofnight · 19/01/2010 21:27

We have tried ambushing her with towel, laying a trail of increasingly delicious food, putting her in backwards, putting her in forwards, buying a new box (with no history) and leaving it in the sitting room for several days so she can see it's not a trap ... You name it.

When you pick her up and approach the box she goes rigid and then turns totally savage.

Maybe we should try the towel again.

OP posts:

steamedtreaclesponge · 19/01/2010 21:34

Bear in mind that if your cat is insured, it often states in the terms of the policy that their booster jabs must be up to date.

If their jabs aren't up to date and you try and claim, even if it's for something totally unrelated, and they find out that you weren't sticking to the terms of your insurance policy, they could well refuse to pay out.

MegBusset · 19/01/2010 21:35

Get a home visit -- most vets will carry these out for a small extra fee.

junglist1 · 19/01/2010 21:37

The only thing I can get my cat into is an extra large dog crate, only by trapping her in one room, putting the crate in the hallway with the door open so she can't squeeze past,getting someone already in the room to chase her into the trap and having to take my little cat to the vets in that monstrosity

TimothyTigerTuppennyTail · 19/01/2010 21:37

Have you tried a top opening box? It's easier to ram the little buggers place them carefully in the carrier.

MadamDeathstare · 19/01/2010 21:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LynetteScavo · 19/01/2010 21:40

My SIL leaves the cat carrier on top of the radiator, with a nice blanket inside. The cat will get used to sleeping in it, then when you are ready to go...slam the door shut.

MrsL123 · 19/01/2010 21:42

The towel is definitely worth a try as a last ditch attempt, but it will only reinforce her negative association with the carrier. Could you sneak up on her while she's asleep one night, put the box right in front of her (with the door off) and then just leave her in the room with it alone? Then when she wakes up she might decide to investigate it in her own time. Or do you think she would be any better in a big cardboard box (with air holes) rather than a normal carrier? Possibly a larger dog crate would work too as it's less enclosed (put a blanket over it when you take her into the vets incase there are any dogs).

It may also be worth calling the vet and asking their advice - they may be willing to do a home visit at a reduced rate, especially if it's not an urgent call and they can just fit it in around their other calls.

Original poster

meaningofnight · 19/01/2010 21:49

Blimey! Home visit! I can guarantee that will cost a king's ransom here. DH would go crazy if he thought I was paying for pampered vet to come to the Night House! He hates the vet. He says it's all a scam and that they are in cahoots with the insurance companies to fleece indulgent pet owners like me.

Junglist - I like your solution but I don't have a dog crate. It made me laugh though.

TimTiger - yes we have a top loader. Didn't work.

Maybe I could wait till she was asleep and then wrap a towel round her like it was a cosy blanket and then pull it tight trapping the little hairy limbs.

OP posts:

thehairybabysmum · 19/01/2010 22:19

i used to have a devil cat when it came to vets...towel worked for us. Always got him jabbed.

I have since had two older cats, 9 and 13 from cats protection, they dont go far so ended up stopping getting them done and they were fine. Eldest died last summer aged 18 not from any obvious cat diease type thing. Other one is 13 now and got her done for the fist time this year but only as we needed to put her in the cattery for a few days.

Original poster

meaningofnight · 19/01/2010 23:00

I suspect booster not necessary annually.

OP posts:

CornishKK · 19/01/2010 23:06

Mmmm, when I lived in Cornwall and the cat population was less dense we didn't bother. Now we live in Sarf London and there is approximately 14 cats per cubic metre we do.

My vet recommended that cat carriers are left out all the time, allowing your cat to use it as a bed and see it as a safe haven - leaving happy pheromones in there and making a contented secure cat at vet time.

But then that vet also suggested that if I was a good cat owner I would not have two cats unless I had a six bedroomed house - yes really they need a bedroom each and a food room each and a water room each. Then he skanked me £258 for dental treatment for one cat.

MrsL123 · 19/01/2010 23:16

I'm sure plenty would disagree with you on that meaningofnight (me included), but each to their own! Knowing what these diseases do, I know I wouldn't want to risk my pet's health on the off-chance they won't meet an infected cat, no matter how little they went out. For what it's worth, I also think it's every pet owner's duty to have their animal vaccinated to stop the spread of these diseases. If a cat is kept indoors and guaranteed to be away from any risk, fair enough (although I happen to believe this is impossible, unless everyone's shoes and clothes are disinfected after being outside!). Personally I don't understand how anyone could want to risk the life of a beloved family pet due to conspiracy theories about vets and/or the suspicions over the need for annual boosters - I'm not a qualified vet, I have no knowledge of what diseases are present amongst the stray population of my area or the chances of my cat catching one of them, and therefore would much rather be safe than sorry when it comes to my animals.

Rant over - I'm off to cuddle my (fully vaccinated) cat now!

Dillie · 19/01/2010 23:24

Definately go with boosters. I used to volunteer for the cats protection and saw too many sad cases where they had been strayed, bitten by an infected cat, and had to be put down as they were infected too.

Cat flu is a nasty nasty disease and I wouldnt wish it on any cat or owner to experience. So its really not worth the risk.

I used to have a cat that hated, and i mean hated the cat box. He would do anything to stop going in it .. almost reminds me of the Garfield clip!!!

What I used to do with him was that I got the cat box in from the garage the night before. Tried to get the earliest or latest possible appointment which was timed around breakfast or dinner time.

I made sure that the cat box was open and tipped up on its back end supported so if he struggled it wouldnt tip over iysyim

After he had his grub and was fairly placid (typical male lol!) quickly and smoothly scruff him and neatly stuff him in his box before he knew what hit him!!

You need to get the scruff right to make them placid and also need to do it firmly. (but not harshly) The vet showed me how to do it .. didnt know there was a right and wrong way lol!!

I also had to make sure that from the point of scruffing to the locking the box up was done in one move, or i would end up scratched to pieces!!

Also I used a treat that he loved so it showed him that he was a good lad for not struggling (much!)

MrsL123 · 19/01/2010 23:31

I would also just like to add (not to anyone in particular) that when considering how much a vet charges for something, people should look at the costs that running a vet's pratice will incur. My husband is self employed and it really annoys me when he gets the 'how much?!' attitude off people who never consider the overheads such as rent, rates, electricity, heat, water, insurance, phone lines, equipment, staff salaries, training, vehicles etc etc incur - and that's before the owner gets paid themselves and the tax man has also taken his share! Not to mention that it's a business, and has to make a profit out of all that, otherwise all our local vets will have to close their doors and leave us all driving miles next time we have a medical emergency. Maybe it's just because I see it from the other side of the fence, but I think most vets are very reasonable in their charges. It may cost £40 (or whatever) for the injections - but that is covering a lot more than the liquid in the syringe!

LynetteScavo · 19/01/2010 23:56

meaning of night, if you don't have the booster annually, you have to start the initial course all over again, adn it cost £££, so is much cheeper to keep going every year.

I have two cats, and missed a year due to a house move. Sounds lame, but I was genuinly when I turned up at the vets and they told me we hadnt' been the previous year. It was not cheep.

MrsL123....it's the same with any buisness, dentists, estate agents, vets.... We all complain about the fees, although no one, apart from meaningofnight's DH has grumbled on this thread.

MrsL123 · 20/01/2010 00:06

I know LynetteScavo, that's why I said it wasn't aimed at anyone in particular on this thread - just that it should be considered when costs are given (be it for injections, dental treatment, whatever) that vets don't generally overcharge just for the sake of it, and although it may seem like not much is being done for the money, often their prices are quite reasonable when all is said and done

thesunshinesbrightly · 20/01/2010 00:15

Buy a Crate that open's at the top,it's much easier, my cat hate's the Carrier's too, Your Cat need's her booster.

beautifulgirls · 20/01/2010 12:10

Your vet will probably not allow cats in the waiting room if they are not in a closed carrier. If a dog should come in and chase your cat.....please don't risk it.

Starboo · 20/01/2010 12:35

I had a cat as a child that had her first trip to the vet as a kitten to be "done" and her second at the grand age of 21 when she'd had a fit.

However, now I have my own cats I always take them for their boosters as I want to do all I can to make sure they have long and healthy lives, and the vet will also give them a worming tablet and a thorough check-up.

Feliway spray in their travel box can be used for chillaxing cats.

girlywhirly · 20/01/2010 17:28

I favour the fabric-sided carriers for transporting cats. Mine has a rigid frame, but a canvas and mesh material with a zip door at one end and another on the top. Cat thinks the other animals and people can't see her inside, but she gets plenty of ventilation and can sniff my hand for reassurance. Getting her into it is a military operation, but much easier with a 'top-loader'!

For dealing with a pets' stress incontinence or motion sickness, I tape a disposable nappy changing mat to something like a thick pad of newspaper (whatever fits your carrier) which stops it getting rucked up. Absorbs most of the liquid mess and much easier to dispose of when you arrive at the vet or cattery.

I pay for my cats jabs by monthly installments to the vets loyalty club, includes worm and flea treatments, two health checks a year, discounts on pet food and any other treatments etc. for under £10 a month. I agree it is important to keep up the vaccinations.

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