Cat grooming under sedation

kimbyanne

We have a problem with our cat, she is an eleven year old British Shorthair. She is really affectionate and loving - until you pick her up or try to brush her.

We adopted her from a breeder and I suspect that she wasn't given the love and attention a "pet" would have.

Anyway, we have had her a few years and brushing and toe nail clipping have always been a huge issue - she absolutely hates it and goes mental - scratching, biting, hissing, etc.

We have noticed in the last few days that her coat is getting matted on her back and hind legs which seems to making her walk a bit funny. Again, tried to brush her - no use - nearly lost an eye.

So I decided enough is enough, she needs to be brushed because it is obviously making her uncomfortable so I call the vets as yes they will brush her BUT they won't tell me how much it costs as they have to assess her. They also would need to sedate her for obvious reasons.

Now I don't mind paying out if this is going to make her more comfortable, but I do need a rough idea of price so I know what to expect.

Has anyone hear had their cat groomed under sedation by a vet? If so, how much does it cost?

krlyr

I would imagine it is a difficult one to judge because they won't know how long it will take until they have assessed her - it's a bit like phoning a decorater and asking how much it will cost to have your house painted, without him knowing how many rooms you have, what size they are, how many coats the walls will need. Can you ask the vet for a minimum figure and give a limit on how much you can afford perhaps? The bulk of the cost for operations is the anaesthetic I believe so the length of the process will be the main factor on cost.

Fire_Fox

The only way you might get a fixed price is to agree to have her partially clipped. Brushing could take any amount of time depending how bad the matting really is, so asking the cost is like asking how long a piece of string is.

How is she with massage/ grooming gloves? Could you regularly stroke her with these rather than a regular brush/ comb once the matted parts are gone? Has your vet suggested referring you to a behaviourist? This may be covered by your pet insurance.

kimbyanne

Fire_Fox wrote: »

The only way you might get a fixed price is to agree to have her partially clipped. Brushing could take any amount of time depending how bad the matting really is, so asking the cost is like asking how long a piece of string is.

How is she with massage/ grooming gloves? Could you regularly stroke her with these rather than a regular brush/ comb once the matted parts are gone? Has your vet suggested referring you to a behaviorist? This may be covered by your pet insurance.

We have a glove brush which she will tolerate up until you try to touch her back legs / tummy which is where we need to get to. We also have tried slicker brushes and things like that but she just doesn't like it. She is shorthaired but has a very thick / dense coat and has lots of dead hair which is what causes the matting - as we can't get to the problem areas, this leads to the hairballs.

It is really just brushing she has a problem with, normally she is a very affectionate cat - it is just she doesn't like to be picked up (quite common with British Shorthaired as they are heavy cats) and hates being brushed.

The matting isn't horrendous, it is just like "tufts" on her back and back legs so I am hoping that she vet might be able to just brush them out as when she goes to the vet she tends to go very quiet.

Fire_Fox

kimbyanne wrote: »

We have a glove brush which she will tolerate up until you try to touch her back legs / tummy which is where we need to get to. We also have tried slicker brushes and things like that but she just doesn't like it. She is shorthaired but has a very thick / dense coat and has lots of dead hair which is what causes the matting - as we can't get to the problem areas, this leads to the hairballs.

It is really just brushing she has a problem with, normally she is a very affectionate cat - it is just she doesn't like to be picked up (quite common with British Shorthaired as they are heavy cats) and hates being brushed.

The matting isn't horrendous, it is just like "tufts" on her back and back legs so I am hoping that she vet might be able to just brush them out as when she goes to the vet she tends to go very quiet.

A lot of cats don't like having their tummy or back end touched. That may be down to hypersensitivity or instinct that they are being 'attacked' in their vulnerable areas, as well as socialising as you identify. If it's not a large area have you thought about getting a highly experienced groomer to do a home visit once a month or once every two months? Might well work out cheaper than sedation at the vet and be less traumatic. There is a lady on Purrsinourhearts forums who has dematted whole Persian cats that hate grooming and vets said were so bad they needed to be clipped, guess she just has a special knack as well as the right tools. :T

paddypaws101

I agree with FF that finding a good groomer may well be cheaper and less invasive than using sedation at the vets.
I recently looked around for one near me and prices were around £35, and I am in London so presumably one of the more expensive areas. ( that included a shampoo wash which i did not particularly want for my cat)
Groomers have the experience and calm to carry on and get the job done whereas we owners get upset ourselves when the cat starts to protest.

kimbyanne

paddypaws101 wrote: »

I agree with FF that finding a good groomer may well be cheaper and less invasive than using sedation at the vets.
I recently looked around for one near me and prices were around £35, and I am in London so presumably one of the more expensive areas. ( that included a shampoo wash which i did not particularly want for my cat)
Groomers have the experience and calm to carry on and get the job done whereas we owners get upset ourselves when the cat starts to protest.

Maybe - tomorrow the vets are going to cut her claws (we can do this with her - just but thought the vets might as well do it when assessing her fur).

I did just call them and have a longer conversation and it would seem if she is well behaved tomorrow, they may try and just brush her. If she attacks or is hard to keep still, they would have to re-book her in for another day to be groomed under sedation.

From previous vets visits, she tends to go quiet so I am really hoping she just lets the vets brush her as I don't really want to have her sedated but I also can't leave her all matted.

I have just had a look on Yell and most of the groomers only seem to take dogs, even the ones listed under cats and dogs grooming! I personally don't know of any cat groomers in Norwich.

Fire_Fox

Make a few phone calls or e-mails, Kimbyanne, I bet one of those dog groomers has a contact. You might also ring a couple of rescues and vet surgeries and ask if they know of a good cat groomer.

hotcookie101

We do demats under sedation. If the cat is well-behaved enough to not need sedation, we recommend they find a groomer.
I always consider chronic pain when an older cat, who has not been matted before becomes a bit matted (especially along the back) so ask your vet to look into that too-pain meds may well make her a happier cat