Just adopted a cat - advice re vet & insurance please

Jonesy_McJones

Hi all,

So this weekend I adopted a cat from someone that can no longer look after it (due to their own age & health). I’ve had cats before so in general I’m fine but I’d like a bit of advice with regard to taking her to the vet and insurance.

I think she’s possibly around 7-9 years old, and she’s clearly overweight (she’s not pregnant as she’s been spayed). I’m going to keep her inside for about 2-3 weeks and then slowly introduce her to the outside, as she’s not an indoor cat.

So… Does anyone have any advice as to specific questions I should ask the vet? I’m hoping the vet would be able to give a better idea of her age, and her teeth need checking – both of these things will help when planning her forthcoming diet (I am keeping her on the same food as she’s used to whilst she settles into her new home). I’ll also get her vaccinations done as I know these are not up to date (plus flea & wormer stuff, and a microchip).

As for the insurance, I’m thinking I should get the ‘high level cover / lifetime policy’ as due to her weight I’m guessing arthritis could be an issue, plus everything else that comes with age…

All advice welcome!

rising_from_the_ashes

Awwwwww - congratulations!:j

If you're going to get her vaccinations done, the vet will give her a thorough check up whilst you're there - teeth etc and will also be able to advice if / how much weight she needs to lose!

Re insurance - try to get one that's a lifetime policy that renews the full amount each year eg some policies may renew each year but have say a £4k limit and once you get to the £4k that's it - while others will renew the £4k in full each year (hope that makes sense).

With an older cat, you may be limited to companies - and a lot of them will also ask for a % of total cost as well as the excess, so have a good read through the T&Cs.

So glad you've found each other & wishing you many happy years together:T

Fire_Fox

AXA are worth getting a quote from, they often work out very little more expensive than policies with much lower levels of cover. Get her insured a couple of weeks before the vets if possible, just in case they find something unusual you don't want to be in the exclusion period.

May get her exercising and engaging with you using a knock off Da Bird and attachments
http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/cats/cat_toys/cat_dangler/feathers/137344
http://www.purrsinourhearts.co.uk/shop/Crinkle-Ball-Refill
http://www.purrsinourhearts.co.uk/shop/da-bird-uk-accessory-da-mousey-catcher-mouse-attachment-40?keyword=da%20mousey&category_id=0
http://www.purrsinourhearts.co.uk/shop/da-bird-uk-accessory-da-sparkler-attachment-41?keyword=da%20sparkler&category_id=0

Jonesy_McJones

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Get her insured a couple of weeks before the vets if possible, just in case they find something unusual you don't want to be in the exclusion period.

I was just wondering which way round to do it!

The concern I have is that I'm guessing at her age; she's at least 7 but could actually be much older. She's probably the least energetic cat I've ever known, but this could be down to being in a new place with new people, her weight, potential arthritis etc etc...

If I get insurance and say she's 7 but then the vet says she's at least 10 say, I'd need to let the insurer know, wouldn't I? By then, the vet might have diagnosed something, and obviously, if there's something she's needs treatment for, I'd want her to have it asap.

rising_from_the_ashes

Jonesy_McJones wrote: »

If I get insurance and say she's 7 but then the vet says she's at least 10 say, I'd need to let the insurer know, wouldn't I? By then, the vet might have diagnosed something, and obviously, if there's something she's needs treatment for, I'd want her to have it asap.

Yup ... got it in one!

I agree with FireFox tho' - personally, I'd go with the insurance, wait a couple of weeks (check exclusion period in the T&Cs as they do vary) and then take her & then you can always contact them re age if needed.

Also, I wouldn't let her out until the vaccinations are done (which may mean she's in a bit longer if you get insurance / wait for exclusion period etc).

For a rough starting point / comparison, I've just switched all my pets to Axa - big cat is 7, so hopefully a similar age to your new one, and he's just under £7.50 / month for £7k lifetime cover - although obviously where you live does affect the premiums too.

Fire_Fox

Jonesy_McJones wrote: »

I was just wondering which way round to do it!

The concern I have is that I'm guessing at her age; she's at least 7 but could actually be much older. She's probably the least energetic cat I've ever known, but this could be down to being in a new place with new people, her weight, potential arthritis etc etc...

If I get insurance and say she's 7 but then the vet says she's at least 10 say, I'd need to let the insurer know, wouldn't I? By then, the vet might have diagnosed something, and obviously, if there's something she's needs treatment for, I'd want her to have it asap.

You should be able to alter the age because they insure loads of rescues where people have to guess. When I last used AXA I just telephoned when I first took out the policy to explain the age was a guess and that my boy was not going to be vaccinated regularly (bad reaction) and they were fine about both. Policy should only be invalidated if you knowingly lie or don't inform them of a change or new condition as per the terms and conditions.

Mostly with insurance you pay up front and then put a claim in with the company so you can crack on with the treatment if any is needed, the important thing is you are out of the exclusion period AND that there were no symptoms during the exclusion. If she is overweight and lacking in energy you might be looking at tests and treatment for hypothyroidism and that may not be be covered. But you've nothing to lose by trying other than a couple of weeks insurance.

Jonesy_McJones

Thanks - I really appreciate the advice you two have given me :beer:

gettingready

So many piosts and no photos?

Phew- thread not valid without photos....

Jonesy_McJones

Just insured her with AXA (who I probably wouldn't have looked at if it hadn't been mentioned here!) - was almost £150 for a year as I put her age as 10 in the end, but was cheaper & better than the quotes on Go Compare & Compare the Market. One day I'll get my free meerkat toy...!

If anyone can recommend a good free place to upload a photo then I'll be more than happy to share one

rising_from_the_ashes

Great news re insurance - and you can always "down" her age if needed once you've been!

It's funny as when I was looking to change there were a load of places doing cashback / xxx no of months free but you're then hit with huge increases after year 1 (and if the pet's had treatment you can't then move or it'll be an excluded condition) - and when you factored that in, they were more expensive anyway!

Re photos - I do mine on Photobucket - once you upload them, chose the "direct link" code, copy & then paste into the image icon (looks like an envelope!)

Jonesy_McJones

This is her at her most active so far...