What would you do? What can I do?

butler_helen

OK so... my cat is extremely volitile to the vets, imagine horrible crying and growling, hissing etc, whilst he launches himself at the vet. She left him last time with a couple of new scratches and saying that he was just 'a little boisterous'... well yes because...

In her wisdom, the vet puts a towel over him, which distresses him more, which distresses me. I want them to either put him under to examine him or to put him in a crush cage, but this request falls on deaf ears - can I force them to do this? I don't mind paying extra, because each trip to the vets is like a horror show and takes 3 or more people to administer basic injections. He's injured again (10th and 11th life) and so I'd like to know my 'rights' before I take him back.

His mouth needs examining as does his foot, both of which you'd never ever get a close look at when he's huddled in the corner or when he's dlying at you.

Feliway etc are all over my house and I spray his cage, so that's no good. Short of drugging him before we get there... (not sure what with)... I don't know what to do. The distress and his wriggling to get out of the towel is going to get him hurt, he fell backwards last time- much to the humour of the vet, but not me, if she grabbed him whilst he twisted, she'd hurt him!

Any ideas? I can I request a crush cage and or putting him under? (they said 'no need' last time).

chris_n_tj

I would try a few drops of rescue remedy, it wont hurt him and will help to calm him down. Poor thing, our cat was just the same.

Edited to add, could you try another Vet?

tizerbelle

Putting him under isn't necessarily going to be the answer, even to give a light sedative, they will need to clip some fur and then insert a needle - the examination could in all likelihood have been done in the time it takes and it isn't advisable to sedate animals unnecessarily. Vets are used to bolshy cats and they are not fragile little things that will break if held securely.

To me, and I admit I could be wrong and I don't mean to offend, it sounds as if you help hold the cat and perhaps your fears of what might happen might mean that you are scared of holding him properly and as soon as he appears to be distressed, you are getting upset and probably causing more problems than otherwise would occur. Could you get someone else to go with you who can hold the cat securely and safely or let the vets examine him without you being in the room?

A crush-cage would distress him just as much as being held and depending on what he needs examining for, might not actually enable the vet to undertake the exam properly.