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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Do I need to change vets?

5 replies

VikingLady · 16/09/2025 11:03

The vets we used for our older cats has closed, so we needed a new one for this kitten. But we had our first appointment and I’m a bit worried.

The table hadn’t been cleaned from the previous animal, possibly more than one - there was dog hair and possibly cat hair on it, and the gritty skin flakes you get when they need combing. I can’t see why the table wouldn’t be given at least a wipe between animals, especially since they have dogs and cats all seen in the same room.

Our kitten had her first vaccination today, but the needle wouldn’t go through the skin and the kitten wailed. The vet said perhaps the needle was too blunt and she fetched another one. She brought the needle in already prepped, she didn’t open it in front of us - are they reusing needles?

The waiting room chatter was horror stories about poor treatment but I largely disregarded that as conversation and dramatic licence (gossip is always negative), but now I’m worrying a bit. Our other cats barely felt their jabs and were given a dreamie each at the other vets.

I can’t decide whether I’m being paranoid.

Picture fir tax

Do I need to change vets?
OP posts:
MrJinks · 16/09/2025 13:49

I think you know the answer is Yes.

Think about the treatment/care your old cats received from your previous vet and don't settle for anything less.

❤️🐈‍⬛❤️

stormsandsunshine · 16/09/2025 15:10

If they can't manage something as routine as vaccinations without setting alarm bells ringing, and if other clients are openly saying the treatment their pets get is poor, how would you feel about entrusting your cat to them if it needed urgent treatment or developed a serious illness?

I don't think poor hygiene or blunt needles is acceptable.

VikingLady · 16/09/2025 18:39

Thank you, decision made. I was reluctant because the next nearest vets we’ve been recommended is an hour drive, which isn’t great, but the kitten doesn’t seem too fussed about trips.

OP posts:
MrJinks · 16/09/2025 19:02

VikingLady · 16/09/2025 18:39

Thank you, decision made. I was reluctant because the next nearest vets we’ve been recommended is an hour drive, which isn’t great, but the kitten doesn’t seem too fussed about trips.

All being well you will only need to visit once a year for the booster vaccs and if you need flea treatment from them maybe the vet would be willing to post them.

Fun times ahead!

tedgran · 20/09/2025 15:16

My DH was a vet, table cleaned after every animal, and new needle for every injection. After he retired he inspected practices, if he had seen anything like your description, they would have had a horrendous report.

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