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How often do my cats have to go to the vet...?
I got my 2 kitties from the humane society. Right away I signed them
up for the Banfield Health and Wellness program. For $25 a month both cats get two 6 month check-ups, I guess a general exam, and booster shots. They are 4+ now and in perfect health. I am asking this question because I am not thrilled with how this all works. They are indoor cats, so they pretty much only see my wife and I and the inside of our house. When I take them to Banfield at Petsmart, they have us drop them off all day. One...I have no idea if what they say they are doing, they are really doing. Two...this causes an incredible amount of stress on the cats. The cats are fixed males, very sweet, and have been together their whole lives. Sleep together etc...However every time, the vet calls or tells us what an awful time they have with them, hissing etc...The cats never hiss at home and if they do they seem as suprised by it as I am. Always when I pick them up and try to put them in the big carrier, they hiss at each other and the vet's scared they are going to get in a fight. They are fine 2 minutes after we leave. I know it's the stress of being there that cuases them to be that way. I assume they prob keep them in the kennel around dogs also, so that can't help. The vet acts like our's are the only cats that do this. Needless to say it doesn't give me a lot of confidence in Banfield. This has happened at two different places. Then, I assume they are getting their shots because they act sick for 3-4 days, and usually puke upp their food for a couple days. I worry that I am putting them thru a lot of uneccesary stress. Of course, I get impatient (they are the profesionals), and am like can't you just do the exam, do you need me to come down and hold them for you. And he is like...no sir we have a policy of not doing anything when the animal doesn't want to...hmmmm. So next time...he want's me to bring them in on seperate days and he says he might sedate them....sheesh...this all seems very extreme. So I am thinking of dropping them, but I have no idea if i need to find a vet, where to find an honest reliable one, or even how much it will cost, how often do I need to take them? I live in NW Phoenix, AZ if anyone has some suggestions... Any advice would be greatly appreciated! |
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#3
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I got my 2 kitties from the humane society. Right away I signed them
up for the Banfield Health and Wellness program. For $25 a month both cats get two 6 month check-ups, I guess a general exam, and booster shots. They are 4+ now and in perfect health. I am asking this question because I am not thrilled with how this all works. They are indoor cats, so they pretty much only see my wife and I and the inside of our house. When I take them to Banfield at Petsmart, they have us drop them off all day. One...I have no idea if what they say they are doing, they are really doing. Two...this causes an incredible amount of stress on the cats. The cats are fixed males, very sweet, and have been together their whole lives. Sleep together etc...However every time, the vet calls or tells us what an awful time they have with them, hissing etc...The cats never hiss at home and if they do they seem as suprised by it as I am. Always when I pick them up and try to put them in the big carrier, they hiss at each other and the vet's scared they are going to get in a fight. They are fine 2 minutes after we leave. I know it's the stress of being there that cuases them to be that way. I assume they prob keep them in the kennel around dogs also, so that can't help. The vet acts like our's are the only cats that do this. Needless to say it doesn't give me a lot of confidence in Banfield. This has happened at two different places. Then, I assume they are getting their shots because they act sick for 3-4 days, and usually puke upp their food for a couple days. I worry that I am putting them thru a lot of uneccesary stress. Of course, I get impatient (they are the profesionals), and am like can't you just do the exam, do you need me to come down and hold them for you. And he is like...no sir we have a policy of not doing anything when the animal doesn't want to...hmmmm. So next time...he want's me to bring them in on seperate days and he says he might sedate them....sheesh...this all seems very extreme. So I am thinking of dropping them, but I have no idea if i need to find a vet, where to find an honest reliable one, or even how much it will cost, how often do I need to take them? I live in NW Phoenix, AZ if anyone has some suggestions... Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Check around and see if there's any vets that make housecalls. That would help relive alot of the stress. |
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Okay, I think if my vet categorically REQUIRED that I leave my cats there all day - I'd find a new vet, Housecall or not. I have had a wonderful housecall vet. I presently have a wonderful vet office. In all cases with all vets I have ever taken my business to, I stayed with my cats through their checkups. Frankly, my cats think they're going to a party with our current vet. They get petted and hugged and handed treats and catnip - AND, their person stays with them except in situations where it is definitely in their benefit to be left (such as, they are sick and require care, or involved tests are needed). They even encourage frequent visits for hospitalized cats and my vet makes arrangements to be there at all hours, 7 days a week, if her clients (human) need time with her patients (feline). I'd be very shy of leaving them in general. Even the cleanest clinic will encounter animals with fleas, viruses, etc, and by keeping animals all day, they increase the exposure for EVERY animal. They occupy cages that should only be taken up by those requiring care. They therefore cage those who don't require it and for whom it is is undue stress. Finally, I'd be just plain suspicious that a vet clinic doesn't want me to know what's going on with my animals. What the hell would you think of a doctor who had you leave your toddler with them for the day in order to get a checkup? Sheesh. Find a vet with whom you can make arrangements - housecall or in office - for the cats to be examined with you there. Good luck. johanna cokekiller wrote: I got my 2 kitties from the humane society. Right away I signed them up for the Banfield Health and Wellness program. For $25 a month both cats get two 6 month check-ups, I guess a general exam, and booster shots. They are 4+ now and in perfect health. I am asking this question because I am not thrilled with how this all works. They are indoor cats, so they pretty much only see my wife and I and the inside of our house. When I take them to Banfield at Petsmart, they have us drop them off all day. One...I have no idea if what they say they are doing, they are really doing. Two...this causes an incredible amount of stress on the cats. The cats are fixed males, very sweet, and have been together their whole lives. Sleep together etc...However every time, the vet calls or tells us what an awful time they have with them, hissing etc...The cats never hiss at home and if they do they seem as suprised by it as I am. Always when I pick them up and try to put them in the big carrier, they hiss at each other and the vet's scared they are going to get in a fight. They are fine 2 minutes after we leave. I know it's the stress of being there that cuases them to be that way. I assume they prob keep them in the kennel around dogs also, so that can't help. The vet acts like our's are the only cats that do this. Needless to say it doesn't give me a lot of confidence in Banfield. This has happened at two different places. Then, I assume they are getting their shots because they act sick for 3-4 days, and usually puke upp their food for a couple days. I worry that I am putting them thru a lot of uneccesary stress. Of course, I get impatient (they are the profesionals), and am like can't you just do the exam, do you need me to come down and hold them for you. And he is like...no sir we have a policy of not doing anything when the animal doesn't want to...hmmmm. So next time...he want's me to bring them in on seperate days and he says he might sedate them....sheesh...this all seems very extreme. So I am thinking of dropping them, but I have no idea if i need to find a vet, where to find an honest reliable one, or even how much it will cost, how often do I need to take them? I live in NW Phoenix, AZ if anyone has some suggestions... Any advice would be greatly appreciated! |
#5
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"The Furrsome (again)Foursome" panda-ov-toes-@sen-nte-xx-dot-com-net
had some very interesting things to say about How often do my cats have to go to the vet...?: I have had a wonderful housecall vet. I presently have a wonderful vet office. In all cases with all vets I have ever taken my business to, I stayed with my cats through their checkups. Frankly, my cats think they're going to a party with our current vet. They get petted and hugged and handed treats and catnip - AND, their person stays with them except in situations where it is definitely in their benefit to be left (such as, they are sick and require care, or involved tests are needed). [Felix's human typing. I once had to take him to a vet who simply whisked him out of the exam room I was in and did everything somewhere out of my sight, and this was right after I went to the shelter and got picked by him, so he still wasn't all that secure yet. That was the ONLY time that vet ever gets near any pet of mine! Our current vet is very friendly and kind to his patients, as are staff members, but poor Felix is so stressed by car rides and dealing with strangers that the poor kid just cowers on the table and gives me "can we get out of here NOW, Mom?" looks. When we get home, as soon as the car door's opened, he's off my lap and running for the apartment door. By the time either human (DH drives on these trips) catches up, he's doing the "let me in, let me IN" dance at the door.] -- Felix, with help from his secretary/Mom |
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