What to do? Board or take with us?

We are going on "vacation" for a little over two weeks soon. I have to
figure out what is best to do for Meep, who is 14, and currently on an
apparently vile pain medication that must be given by mouth twice a day.
It is stressing her a bit for me to give it to her, but as it is
helping her a lot, I'm hoping she'll get used to it (we're going to try
a different flavor when the current batch runs low). I tried to put it
in her food, but due to it's bad taste, that isn't working.

Since we cannot use a home care service, for reasons I won't get into,
the only choices seem to be board her, or bring her with us. Normally I
board her at a very nice place we've used for years. We spring for the
deluxe window cabin, and she used to do quite well there. Recently,
though, she's been a lot more stressed out. I do not know if it's an
employee or just that she's older, but she's obviously stressed - they
report she hisses and sometimes strikes out when they clean her cage.
She didn't used to be. When I come in she's very huddled until she
recognizes me, then she's fine. Used to be she'd be relatively relaxed,
even if not friendly to the staff. Add to this that they'll have to
dose her with that terrible stuff twice a day! I'm not sure, but I
think that her time in boarding may have had something to do with the
last two cystitis attacks she's had, I think they were both within a
month or two of boarding her.

On the other hand, travel is also a bit stressful for her though she's
much better at it than most cats. She goes on a leash when there's
nobody about. She is used to the routines of travel and generally
handles it pretty well. The main issue with traveling with her is this
isn't a strictly pleasure trip - we are moving some furniture to our
vacation home, and to maximize the amount of time I'm allowed to take
for leave, we need to put in some very long hours of travel time. And,
it's summer. I have a cage fan for her but still, hot truck and all
that (we take minimal stops when she's with us, but still). Because of
her fear of people, we can only take her out on a leash when there's no
one else in sight.

I can't make up my mind! Any thoughts that might help me decide?

jmc

On Wed, 07 Jul 2010 20:21:17 -0400, jmc
wrote:

We are going on "vacation" for a little over two weeks soon. I have to
figure out what is best to do for Meep, who is 14, and currently on an
apparently vile pain medication that must be given by mouth twice a day.
It is stressing her a bit for me to give it to her, but as it is
helping her a lot, I'm hoping she'll get used to it (we're going to try
a different flavor when the current batch runs low). I tried to put it
in her food, but due to it's bad taste, that isn't working.

Since we cannot use a home care service, for reasons I won't get into,
the only choices seem to be board her, or bring her with us. Normally I
board her at a very nice place we've used for years. We spring for the
deluxe window cabin, and she used to do quite well there. Recently,
though, she's been a lot more stressed out. I do not know if it's an
employee or just that she's older, but she's obviously stressed - they
report she hisses and sometimes strikes out when they clean her cage.
She didn't used to be. When I come in she's very huddled until she
recognizes me, then she's fine. Used to be she'd be relatively relaxed,
even if not friendly to the staff. Add to this that they'll have to
dose her with that terrible stuff twice a day! I'm not sure, but I
think that her time in boarding may have had something to do with the
last two cystitis attacks she's had, I think they were both within a
month or two of boarding her.

On the other hand, travel is also a bit stressful for her though she's
much better at it than most cats. She goes on a leash when there's
nobody about. She is used to the routines of travel and generally
handles it pretty well. The main issue with traveling with her is this
isn't a strictly pleasure trip - we are moving some furniture to our
vacation home, and to maximize the amount of time I'm allowed to take
for leave, we need to put in some very long hours of travel time. And,
it's summer. I have a cage fan for her but still, hot truck and all
that (we take minimal stops when she's with us, but still). Because of
her fear of people, we can only take her out on a leash when there's no
one else in sight.

I can't make up my mind! Any thoughts that might help me decide?

jmc

No one answered yet - probably because you know Meep better than we
do. By the way, I always thought that Meep is a great name for a cat.
I have two that make a "Meep" sound. Well, one isn't actually mine yet
but I suspect when it gets cold she might crowd in.

I have four cats so boarding is out; I just hire the catsitter for the
week. But I'd say go with boarding - in addition to being less stress,
she's been there before and you always come to get her and she is
familiar with the place even if not thrilled about it. 14 is getting
up there for big adventures.

Oddly, I think it might be pretty easy for them to give her the meds
because she's already not a happy camper so it's just one more insult
instead of the big deal that it is when we give meds to the furballs.
My vet never has any trouble but I do, because I think that they're
already in shock just from being at the vet. They know that they can
get away with giving me attitude.

I'd only consider taking one of my cats on a trip, he's an adventurous
sort like Meep. I couldn't stand the yowling if I took the others
further than the vet. Plus, I'd be scared that I'd somehow lose him if
someone opened the door or something. Getting lost around my house is
one thing but getting lost somewhere else would be a disaster.

Let us known what you decide. Purrs either way.

I read your post and was thinking about what I would do. IMO I would
board Meep. With possible heat, long hours traveling, and moving
furniture, it might be more stressful than being boarded somewhere
that she's been before.

I'd suggest trying to minimize her stress during boarding. Maybe bring
a shirt or blanket with your scent on it, and some Rescue Remedy the
staff can add to her water.

At least you will have peace of mind that a) she's safe b) she's
getting her medication and c)if something health-related happens
she'll have immediate care.

Just my two cents.

Suddenly, without warning, dgk exclaimed (7/8/2010 2:02 PM):
On Wed, 07 Jul 2010 20:21:17 -0400, jmc
wrote:

We are going on "vacation" for a little over two weeks soon. I have to
figure out what is best to do for Meep, who is 14, and currently on an
apparently vile pain medication that must be given by mouth twice a day.

I can't make up my mind! Any thoughts that might help me decide?

jmc

No one answered yet - probably because you know Meep better than we
do. By the way, I always thought that Meep is a great name for a cat.
I have two that make a "Meep" sound. Well, one isn't actually mine yet
but I suspect when it gets cold she might crowd in.

I have four cats so boarding is out; I just hire the catsitter for the
week. But I'd say go with boarding - in addition to being less stress,
she's been there before and you always come to get her and she is
familiar with the place even if not thrilled about it. 14 is getting
up there for big adventures.

Oddly, I think it might be pretty easy for them to give her the meds
because she's already not a happy camper so it's just one more insult
instead of the big deal that it is when we give meds to the furballs.
My vet never has any trouble but I do, because I think that they're
already in shock just from being at the vet. They know that they can
get away with giving me attitude.

I'd only consider taking one of my cats on a trip, he's an adventurous
sort like Meep. I couldn't stand the yowling if I took the others
further than the vet. Plus, I'd be scared that I'd somehow lose him if
someone opened the door or something. Getting lost around my house is
one thing but getting lost somewhere else would be a disaster.

Let us known what you decide. Purrs either way.



Good point about giving the meds... not sure if it applies with Meep in
particular though. As far as her getting loose... she wears a harness
whenever she is in the truck, we attach the leash before removing her
from the crate. Her crate this time is a great big one, softsided so
hopefully more comfortable and cooler than the "airline approved" crate.
She's gone on road trips many times before, just not in a couple of years.

jmc

Suddenly, without warning, Rene exclaimed (7/8/2010 4:06 PM):
I read your post and was thinking about what I would do. IMO I would
board Meep. With possible heat, long hours traveling, and moving
furniture, it might be more stressful than being boarded somewhere
that she's been before.

I'd suggest trying to minimize her stress during boarding. Maybe bring
a shirt or blanket with your scent on it, and some Rescue Remedy the
staff can add to her water.

At least you will have peace of mind that a) she's safe b) she's
getting her medication and c)if something health-related happens
she'll have immediate care.

Just my two cents.

Oh, she already gets her own bed and stuff. Rescue Remedy doesn't
really work on her, but I might talk to the vet and see what
pharmaceuticals she might recommend.

Thanks. So far Boarding: 2 Travel: 0

jmc

On Jul 7, 5:21*pm, jmc wrote:


I can't make up my mind! *Any thoughts that might help me decide?


If she is allowed to go with you, and would not be in danger there (no
idea where you are going), I would say take her with you. It will be
less stressful to travel with her human than to be in a strange place
without her human. Especially at this age and with medical needs.

I do recommend taking a feliway plug-in for the hotel or where she
will be most of the time. And some "At Ease" or Feliway spray for
other areas. My cat loves the hotel as long as she is the only cat.
So, I use the At Ease spray at the cat show. If I am sharing the hotel
room with another cat, I use the Feliway plug-in.

On Wed, 07 Jul 2010 20:21:17 -0400, jmc wrote:

We are going on "vacation" for a little over two weeks soon. I have to
figure out what is best to do for Meep, who is 14, and currently on an
apparently vile pain medication that must be given by mouth twice a day.

This is a tough one, and there's no obvious answer.

Are there any other humans she knows well and likes? As opposed to
professional boarding, could she stay temporarily with one of them?
Or as opposed to professional home care, could one maybe arrange to
spend significant time at your house?

--
Stan Brown, Oak Road Systems, Tompkins County, New York, USA
http://OakRoadSystems.com
Shikata ga nai...

"Stan Brown" wrote in message
t...
On Wed, 07 Jul 2010 20:21:17 -0400, jmc wrote:

We are going on "vacation" for a little over two weeks soon. I have to
figure out what is best to do for Meep, who is 14, and currently on an
apparently vile pain medication that must be given by mouth twice a day.

This is a tough one, and there's no obvious answer.

Are there any other humans she knows well and likes? As opposed to
professional boarding, could she stay temporarily with one of them?
Or as opposed to professional home care, could one maybe arrange to
spend significant time at your house?

--
Stan Brown, Oak Road Systems, Tompkins County, New York, USA
http://OakRoadSystems.com
Shikata ga nai...

In my neck of the woods, (Salem, Oregon) we have ladies who will come in
your house while you are on vacation and spend some quality time with your
pets. They will feed them, change their water, and pet them and make sure
they are happy for a small fee. They spend about 30 minutes a day with them.
This is a great alternative to boarding them out in a strange local.....

Suddenly, without warning, Bill Graham exclaimed (7/10/2010 11:50 PM):

"Stan Brown" wrote in message
t...
On Wed, 07 Jul 2010 20:21:17 -0400, jmc wrote:

We are going on "vacation" for a little over two weeks soon. I have to
figure out what is best to do for Meep, who is 14, and currently on an
apparently vile pain medication that must be given by mouth twice a day.

This is a tough one, and there's no obvious answer.

Are there any other humans she knows well and likes? As opposed to
professional boarding, could she stay temporarily with one of them?
Or as opposed to professional home care, could one maybe arrange to
spend significant time at your house?

--
Stan Brown, Oak Road Systems, Tompkins County, New York, USA
http://OakRoadSystems.com
Shikata ga nai...

In my neck of the woods, (Salem, Oregon) we have ladies who will come in
your house while you are on vacation and spend some quality time with
your pets. They will feed them, change their water, and pet them and
make sure they are happy for a small fee. They spend about 30 minutes a
day with them. This is a great alternative to boarding them out in a
strange local.....

Yea, but as mentioned in my original post, this is not an option for us,
for reasons I won't get into here.

jmc

On Sun, 11 Jul 2010 08:13:13 -0400, jmc
wrote:


Yea, but as mentioned in my original post, this is not an option for us,
for reasons I won't get into here.

jmc

I've always used neighbors to look after my cat.
Have you asked?