Stressful vet visits

[TheGirlOnTheLanding]

LandingCat is an elderly boy now with chronic health conditions that mean he gets three types of medication every day.mthis has restored his quality of life and while we know it won't last forever, while he seems happy and able to jump up on his favourite window ledge or sofa back, or spend some time outside, we're happy to continue. However, the vet has a policy of six monthly check ups to continue with repeat prescriptions and this is becoming more and more stressful for everyone concerned. My gentle, good natured cat, who takes his tablets without a murmur, and is happy to be picked up for cuddles, becomes so stressed at every vet visit that the vet can't do a full exam. In the last few visits, he's rounded on the vet, snarling, dirtied his cat carrier, and even on one occasion managed to bite me. Once home, he soon reverts to his normal behaviour, but he's clearly very distressed at the time. I'm starting to dread the check ups, and I'm also concerned that last time he was too upset to have his teeth or blood pressure checked. Has anyone got any suggestions or is it just a case of suffering through it twice a year?

I think it's a legal requirement that they see the cat every six months or they can't prescribe medications.

You could try zylkene for a few days before the vets to chill him out a bit.

For patients where this is a real concern, I am always happy to offer home visits. We do have to see them regularly in order for them to remain legally 'under our care' in order to be able to prescribe - the time period itself isn't set by any law but 6 months would be very generous for most patients on 3 different meds Id be seeing every 3 months.

Otherwise, new cat carrier and using it as normal part of household furniture, a den or resting place, so it's not a scary thing to start with. Feliway spray, zylkene or even a prescription anxiety med. But really, home visit is a good solution. We don't like stressed cats or getting bitten/scratched either!

Home visit, sedatives, or find a more sympathetic vet if yours won't play ball.

As one day says home visits, zylkene and Feliway. I agree with one day 6 months is very generous. At all my last pharmacy inspections I have been told 6 months is too long in the VMD's eyes.

Definitely agree with the home visits.

My little monsieur is unusual, when the cat carrier comes out, he goes mad trying to open the door. He associates it with the vet. Who he loves, because he loves to meet 'n' greet. And they all make a Big Fuss of him.

He is a strange little creature.

I've heard of Feliway as a plug in but didn't know you could get it as a spray, and I've never heard of Zylkene. Both of those sound good, as long as they don't interact with the other meds, will have to check. As far as I know the surgery don't do home visits but I can but ask, maybe his aged ness will mean they're more inclined to do it. All three vets at the practice are very nice and good with him, but there are almost always dogs in the waiting room and the consulting room smells of dog, which I think is a big part of the problem. Thanks all of you.

My 18 year old cat takes her tablets for hyperthroidism beautifully too, but hates going to the vet for blood tests. He is very good with her, and puts her into a zip up bag with just one leg sticking out to stop her from struggling too much. She has had so many blood tests she knows what's coming, but hopefully the dose is right for her now so they will be every 3 months. I agree with you that dogs barking in the waiting room freak them out.

hihi! Vet lover, never knew that was possible.

I second the carrier idea, we let it out with a little blanket and she goes in it from time to time. Qwebecat's not feisty at all, but she freezes with fear at the vet and sheds incredibly.
The only solution we found: giving her tuna, she can't resist it.

Could you bring along his favorite treat and give him it from time to time from the moment he is in the carrier untill you let him free?